YOU ARE HERE: Central Kentucky Home→Collections

Celiac Disease Awareness Day is Thursday

September 10, 2012|By Amy Williams | The Clark County Health Department

Celiac Disease Awareness Day is Sept. 13. Celiac disease is an abnormal immune system response that damages the intestines.

Symptoms can vary widely from going unnoticed to impacting daily life. They include, gas, abdominal swelling, bloating, abnormal stools and/or diarrhea, unwanted weight loss, fatigue, weakness and vomiting. These symptoms can be helped or alleviated by avoiding gluten foods.

Gluten foods contain wheat, rye and barley, and are proven to be the culprit in causing such stomach distress.

Normally, villi line the large surface of the small intestine. Villi are tiny fingerlike projections that help with the absorption of vitamins, sugars and other nutrients as food passes through the gastrointestinal tract. When someone with celiac disease eats gluten, those villi flatten out, not allowing absorption of important nutrients. The intestinal lining becomes inflamed and symptoms persist.

It is important for individuals with celiac disease to know what foods contain gluten. This also means scanning foods for hidden ingredients. For example, malt is associated with barley, so beer would not be a good choice to consume.

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein — often used by vegetarians — is known to have wheat as an ingredient.
When using frozen or canned foods, look for second ingredients that contain gluten, such as breaded items from processed foods. Foods such as chicken patties, shrimp and fish could cause stomach discomfort.

Avoid other convenience type foods, such as pastas, crackers, cakes, pies and cookies, unless they are labeled as gluten free. If such foods are requested for special occasions, custom cakes, pies and cookies can be ordered.

Some foods without gluten may still cause stomach discomfort. For example, oatmeal does not contain gluten, but it may increase abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea due to increased fiber content. Each person reacts differently, so some gas producing foods may be tolerated when least expected.

It may be a good idea to keep an ongoing list of foods that do cause stomach discomfort. Gluten-free foods are popular alternatives for people with celiac disease. Gluten-free products are usually made with rice or potato flour.

Instead of using breads, rice and potatoes should be used as fillers for meals. On the snack side, use rice cakes, corn chips or popcorn. Use only corn or rice in cereals. Most major supermarket chains and specialty health food stores provide a variety of gluten-free products.

Remember, the bottom line is to avoid wheat, rye and barley. Be aware of hidden ingredients in foods that are processed and look for gluten-free foods while grocery shopping.

For more information about celiac disease, contact The Clark County Health Department at 744-4482 or visit the website at www.clarkhealth.org and like us on Facebook.

|

|

|