Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease. If a person with celiac disease ingests gluten, the result is damage to the small intestines. Because damage to the small intestines occur, malabsorption is also usually present. According to Entero Lab, everyone in America should be tested for celiac disease.
Celiac Disease is twice as common as Crohn's, ulcerative colitis and cystic fibrosis combined. There has been many myths about celiac disease. The symptom of celiac disease was once thought to be just diarrhea. We now know that everyone experiences the symptoms differently, and there is also Silent Celiac Disease, where no obvious symptoms are present.
There are many symptoms and each person is different. You may experience skin rashes, digestive problems, headaches, irritability, joint pain, fatigue, tingling and numbness in arms and legs, and unexplained anemia. Those are just a few.
Furthermore, Celiac Disease is often misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The treatment for Celiac Disease is a life long adherence to a gluten free diet. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley and other wheat hybrids such as Spelt and Kamut.
To be effectively diagnosed, we recommend being tested through Entero Lab. They can do both a stool and a gene test. Since Celiac Disease is genetic, if someone in your family has it, then everyone in your family should be tested for it - regardless as to whether any obvious symptoms are present.
When I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, Kathryn started me on a protocol of Nature's Sunshine products to help heal and sooth my digestive tract.
Probiotic Eleven: Supports digestion and increases friendly bacteria in your digestive tract.
Slippery Elm: Coats the digestive tract and helps to absorb toxins in the digestive tract.
Chamomile: Calms nerves and eases digestive upset.
Intestinal Sooth and Build: Helps to sooth and restore the digestive tract. (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
Intestinal Sooth and Build was a life saver. My digestive tract was very inflamed and irritated. It took a while for me to be able to digestive foods without discomfort and the Intestinal Sooth and Build helped tremendously.
Source (10 Facts About Celiac Disease).
-Heather
