You may have heard about Celiac Disease or know someone who has it – but you could also be suffering in silence. The more you learn about Celiac Disease, the more you can talk to your doctor about getting tested for Celiac Disease, and you can feel better and stave off additional health problems.
Read the truths behind these 5 Myths About Celiac Disease Everyone Needs to Know:
MYTH #1: It’s no big deal; I can handle an upset stomach if I keep eating gluten.
TRUTH: If you have only a gluten sensitivity, you may only deal with stomach discomfort. However, Celiac Disease involves more than some fleeting abdominal pain: It can also cause long-term harm because the body essentially attacks itself with an immune system response when it has to fight off gluten. That’s why it’s imperative to take care of your gut health.
MYTH #2: It’s just a stomach issue.
TRUTH: Celiac Disease has symptoms throughout the rest of your body, which is why sometimes people go awhile before it’s diagnosed. Think about it: What you consume fuels your body – so if it doesn’t have the right fuel, you can experience misfires throughout your entire system. When you have Celiac Disease, it affects much more than just your digestive system and can affect your neurological system, and contribute to headaches, iron-deficiency anemia, brain fog, menstrual and fertility issues, depression, and more.
MYTH #3: Avoiding gluten is impossible.
TRUTH: While you’ll have to avoid most traditional pastas, rice, cereals, and many processed foods, we’ve come a long way and many grocers, restaurants, pizzerias, and more offer gluten-free alternatives. Choose oats as an alternative (after clearing there’s no cross-contamination). Substitute potato, rice, soy, amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat, or bean flour for wheat flour when cooking. You probably have a few staples and meals in your regular rotation…simply taking some time to find replacements for them will make it easier to adjust your eating habits.
MYTH #4: It’s “trendy” — chances are I don’t have Celiac Disease.
TRUTH: It’s estimated that 1 in 100 people have Celiac Disease – but hardly everyone gets tested for it, so we don’t really know how common it is. However, those estimates put it at being more common than having a peanut allergy. And the instances of Celiac Disease are rising, as more people become informed and get tested.
MYTH #5: I don’t have the same symptoms as my parent (or child) does, so it’s not Celiac Disease.
TRUTH: Celiac Disease presents itself with a range of different symptoms in each person — and close blood relatives have a higher instance of being diagnosed with Celiac Disease — so it could be likely that you also have Celiac Disease. And since Celiac Disease can develop at any age, even if you’ve been tested a decade ago it could now have high enough levels to be detected.
Get Tested
At Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. in Troy, Mich., we can test you to determine if you have Celiac Disease (which could be contributing to a host of other ailments you’re dealing with as well). Contact us today to schedule your appointment and take care of your gut health!