Over the past couple of years, many have turned to gluten-free diets claiming they are intolerant to gluten. Everything from weight gain to dry skin is being blamed on gluten. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes serious health issues.
According to the Center for Celiac Research, approximately 1 out of every 133 people in the U.S. do have celiac disease. The Celiac Disease Foundation believes another 2.5 million have the disease and don’t know it. According to Dr. Shadi Rashtak and Dr. Joseph Murray, some studies find that 33 percent of new patients were diagnosed after the age of 64. For these people, eating products containing barley, wheat, or rye can lead to serious health issues.
Here’s what you need to know about gluten intolerance and celiac disease.
What is Celiac Disease?
The small intestines are lined with tiny villi, which are small finger-like protrusions that help your body absorb nutrients. In people with celiac disease, gluten found in barley, rye, and wheat attacks the villi causing them harm. Once harmed, nutrients no longer travel through the small intestine walls into the rest of the body. Malnutrition results.
People with celiac disease often have the following symptoms:
• Abdominal pain
• Acid reflux
• Anemia
• Anxiety
• Bloating
• Canker sores
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Itchy skin and/or eczema
• Moodiness
A Gluten-free Diet is Necessary to Prevent the Symptoms and Damage
For people with celiac disease, a gluten-free diet is a must. These people have to be careful about what they eat. Many foods have gluten, including soy sauce and some jarred sauces. Even oats that are processed in a factory that also processes wheat products can be troublesome to people with celiac disease.
If You Are Sensitive to Gluten Do You Have to Have Celiac Disease?
Some studies are finding that people who test negative for celiac disease show the other indicators like damage to the villi and some or all of the symptoms of celiac. Research is ongoing, but Dr. Armin Alaedini, the researcher leading this study, calls this non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Again, a gluten-free diet seems to be the best solution to the troublesome symptoms.
If your parent has the symptoms or has been diagnosed with celiac disease, it’s important that a gluten-free diet is followed. Make sure they go in for regular checkups and avoid packaged foods that may have hidden gluten. Celiac.org is a good resource for foods that are safe to eat.
It’s often better to join your mom or dad on grocery shopping outings. Carefully read labels and look for notations that the foods are gluten-free. If you can’t take your parent, hire an elder care professional to take your parent shopping and help them prepare gluten-free meals. Learn more by talking to an elder care agency today.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring home health care in Chino Hills, CA, contact the caring staff at No Place Like Home Homecare today at 951-382-5266.
Sources:
Massgeneral.org
Nih.gov
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About Kristi Duran
Kristi Duran is the owner of No Place Like Home Homecare. Kristi started NPLH because of her absolute love for seniors. She was raised by her grandparents from the day she was born. Kristi has a special connection to seniors and understands their wishes and needs to stay independent.
Kristi has worked in the medical field for years and has seen first-hand how aging seniors want nothing more than to age in the comfort of their own home with dignity and grace. At NPLH, she and her caregivers insure that this happens.
NPLH is not a large franchise. It is a personal family owned homecare service. This insures a one on one personalized touch. Kristi is available 24 hours a day to her clients and their families.