-
Welcome to Celiac.com!
You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.
-
Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):
-
Get Celiac.com Updates:Support Celiac.com!
Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'advice'.
Found 12 results
-
Celiac.com 01/18/2024 - Celiac disease, a condition where the immune system reacts to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, is a daily reality for many. An episode, on ITV's This Morning show, sparked controversy and concern within the gluten-free community, leading to a call for an apology on behalf of those living with celiac disease. The episode in question featured a viewer seeking advice for a gluten-free Christmas dinner, due to a family member with celiac disease. The ensuing discussion raised eyebrows within the gluten-free community, as the advice provided was perceived as ill-informed and dismissive by Coeliac UK, a prominent gluten-free charity. The viewer expressed concern about a teenage family member who, labeled as a "fussy eater," might not partake in the gluten-free Christmas dinner. Vanessa Feltz, offering advice on the show, questioned the idea of accommodating the entire group with a gluten-free menu, likening celiac disease to a potentially fatal peanut allergy. Feltz argued against the need for complete gluten-free surroundings, emphasizing that those with celiac disease could avoid cross-contamination. Post-broadcast, Coeliac UK promptly addressed ITV, highlighting their concerns about the advice given during the segment. The charity underscored the need for accurate information, especially considering the potential health risks associated with celiac disease. The call for an on-air apology and engagement with Coeliac UK aims to rectify the perceived misinformation and promote a better understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with celiac disease. Living with celiac disease involves meticulous attention to dietary choices to prevent adverse health effects. The immune response triggered by gluten ingestion can lead to various symptoms, from digestive issues to fatigue and malnutrition. Cross-contamination, even in minute amounts, can pose serious risks to those with celiac disease, necessitating vigilance in food preparation and consumption. The call for an apology is not just about rectifying a specific instance but an opportunity to raise awareness about the intricacies of celiac disease. It's a chance to foster empathy and understanding, encouraging a broader conversation about accommodating diverse dietary needs within social settings. As discussions unfold, it's crucial to recognize that celiac disease is not a matter of preference but a medical condition that requires diligence, understanding, and support. By addressing misconceptions and seeking accurate information, we can collectively create an environment that is more inclusive and considerate of the unique challenges faced by the gluten-free community. Read more at Yahoo Life UK, which has contacted ITV for comment. -
Do People with Celiac Disease Face Higher Covid-19 Risks?
Jefferson Adams posted an article in Additional Concerns
Celiac.com 03/19/2020 - The Covid-19 outbreak has people searching for answers regarding the virus, its symptoms and course, and any risk factors for certain groups. One question we are seeing a lot is: Do people with untreated celiac disease face a higher risk of developing complications with the coronavirus? Should they take extra precautions? The answers are not totally clear, but in the interest of keeping people with celiac disease informed, healthy and safe, here are some answers to some basic questions, along with some helpful tips for dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak. We know that the coronavirus can cause extreme respiratory distress, and pneumonia, especially in the elderly and/or people with compromised immune systems. According to Wikipedia, "Coronavirus disease 2019 symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Muscle pain, sputum production and sore throat are less common. While the majority of cases result in mild symptoms, some progress to severe pneumonia and multi-organ failure." It's true that epidemics of flu and other viruses tend to cause more severe issues for people with pre-existing health conditions. So if you are already sick from celiac disease and could Covid-19 increase the chances you have a more severe case? Could you be at higher risk for pneumonia? Viral vs. Bacterial Pneumonia Possibly, but the answers just aren't clear. One main concern is clearly pneumonia. We know that coronavirus can cause severe respiratory distress, and can lead to pneumonia. Now, there are two types of pneumonia: Viral and Bacterial. Without getting too technical, bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. Viral pneumonia is not treated with antibiotics. People with Covid-19 are mainly coming down with viral pneumonia. That means antibiotics are not helpful. Higher Pneumonia Risk for Celiac Patients We also know that people with celiac disease can face higher risk for bacterial pneumonia and hyposplenism. Doctors generally recommend that celiac disease patients receive pneumococcal vaccination, but little has been done to quantify risk levels. Young People with Celiac Disease Have a Substantially Higher Risk for Bacterial Pneumonia Celiac UK advice to celiac patients points out that up to 30 per cent of people with celiac disease suffer from reduced splenic function, or hyposplenism. This points to a weakness in the immune system that supports the adoption of stringent social distancing measures. Some Positive News Some say that people with celiac are not immunocompromised and are not at higher risk for covid-19. Celiac.com forum member LJR1989 shared this helpful link. There's also some good research to show that mucosal healing does not influence the risk of serious infection requiring hospital-based medical attention in celiac patients. There's also a reassuring message from Dr. Andrew Fasano: No Good Data on Virus Risk in Celiac Patients However, there just isn't much good research specific to virus risk and celiac disease, and no research specific to Covid-19 and celiac disease, so we can only go by the little we know. The issue of celiac disease, pneumonia risk and Covid-19 is serious enough to prompt this message from Dr. Benjamin Lebwohl, MD, MS, Director of Clinical Research, The Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University: Here's a Helpful Video on Symptoms and Progression of Coronavirus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2E1t3yMXgE Covid-19 Advice for People with Celiac Disease Take Precautions If you have treated celiac disease, your risk for coronavirus is probably about the same as any comparable non-celiac. Probably. But, there's just not much good evidence to say for sure. The coronavirus is serious enough, even in healthy people, to be avoided if possible. From a prevention standpoint, if you have celiac disease, even if it's treated, it's probably wise to behave as if you are in a higher risk group, and to take the precautions necessary to avoid exposure to coronavirus, which include isolating yourself from strangers for two to three weeks. Consider Getting a Pneumococcal Pneumonia Vaccine The vaccine against pneumococcal pneumonia will help to prevent bacterial pneumonia. This may or may not help if you contract coronavirus, but it's unlikely to hurt, and will be helpful against bacterial pneumonia, which can affect people with celiac disease. For people with celiac disease, it's probably a good idea to get a pneumonia vaccine. The vaccine is currently recommended in the UK for people with celiac disease. Read more about how the Coeliac UK Recommends Pneumonia Vaccine. It's probably not a bad idea to get a vaccination. It can't hurt, and might help. Check with a doctor for details. Don't Panic Celiac disease or no celiac disease, if you do come down with Covid-19, don't panic. If you have celiac disease and get Covid-19, there's no reason to assume you'll be worse off than those without celiac disease. Here's what to do if you believe you've been exposed to the coronavirus, or become sick. People who suspect infection with coronavirus should shelter at home, contact local health officials for information, and seek medical attention as directed. Covid-19 Topics on Celiac.com Forums Keep up with the conversation or share information about coronavirus (Covid-19) and celiac disease on the Celiac.com Forum: Covid-19 Coronavirus More Susceptible to Celiacs? Covid-19 Resources Center for Disease Control UK Health Advice on Social Distancing This is a developing story. Please share any information in our comments below, or on our forums above. -
View full article
-
Hi everyone, I was recently diagnosed with celiac about 7months ago and it has been a big adjustment, to say the least. After struggling a lot with all the changes I decided to check out this site to hopefully get some advice from individuals who are in the same boat with me. Prior to my diagnosis, I lost over 40lbs in a very short period of time and if I am being honest it was overwhelming but I was not upset about how my body was "looking" (I say "" because now I know it was not healthy at all). Now though, I have been living gluten-free and it's a completely 180. I started trying to incorporate healthy eating ( watching my macros and trying to incorporate more vegetables and lean meats) and exercise, which has been a new addition as before my diagnosis exercise was something I was terrified of doing because of one too many close calls with the bathroom. I will say I am definitely guilty of exploring the different gluten-free snacks and sweet alternatives at the grocery store occasionally, but even with all of this I've started gaining weight back (about 10pounds so far) and it seems no matter how much I exercise or try to maintain a balanced diet the weight is just hanging around. And on top of that I feel as though now that I've started eating gluten free my body is still all over the place in terms of digestion. Before obviously as many of you have experienced, had your fair share of diarrhea and bathroom explosions, but yet I was at least going to the bathroom and it was almost consistent, now it's like I feel as though I have to be so careful about the foods I consume because now my body is temperamental about its digestion in an unpredictable way. Which is frustrating in itself because not only do I have to be careful about what I eat but I also have to now be restrictive on the types of gluten-free foods I eat. Yes, my pain and crazy bathroom adventures have gone away, which I am so thankful about, but now it's the opposite and I feel out of tune with my body completely, I never know if I'm going to have a normal digestion day or if I'm going to not go to the bathroom for days. Has anyone else experienced this or am I just a lucky individual who has somehow felt more out of sync with her body since? And if so does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this. Some days it can be so frustrating because though I feel better in terms of all the symptoms I was having before and my antibody levels have dropped significantly, It is still so defeating to see the scale go up even when I'm trying to restrict myself to a healthy diet and incorporate more exercise. I know that it is not necessarily a bad thing to be gaining some weight, because of the significant weight loss I experienced and everyone is telling me it's fine but it has certainly been a big shock to the system seeing my body change so much in such a short period of time and to feel like my body has a mind of its own and is running in circles with no consistency. Hopefully, this all made sense. Thanks <3 -
Hey, I was wondering if any of you knew - when you eat gluten when you have Celiac, do you take in the calories from the food? Before I was diagnosed, I was extremely malnourished because my body wasn't absorbing vitamins, but does the body absorb the calories? If so, how is so much weight loss possible?
-
Warm Greetings... I'm seeking support or advice, as well as some words from the wise. D-day has come: I'll receive my diagnosis in about 4 hours. I've known for a few months now that Celiac disease is likely the culprit to what ails me, so this isn't new news to me. I should feel relieved. Yet...I'm suddenly feeling sad, anxious, and overwhelmed. I've been soooo, soooo sick for over a year now (on top of having a very rare debilitating condition called Isaac Syndrome...AND other crud). I'm beyond ready to reclaim my life! Like every other one of you beautiful people who are part of this pristine community known as Celiacs, I went through a host of testing; the last of which was the endoscopy w/ biopsies. After said endoscopy [and whilst showing me pictures of my innards], the doctor informed me that I have celiac sprue and all sorts of other fun G.I. issues that I was completely oblivious to. He explained that in spite of the appearance of my duodenum, a Celiac diagnosis couldn't be affirmative until the biopsy results were in. Being one who always puts her infinite wisdom to good use (snicker, snicker), I decided to view my biopsy results online, reasoning that it would give me a chance to better prepare some questions for the specialist. Needless to say, that may be what cost me this night of sleep. I absolutely, positively have Celiac. I was perfectly fine knowing that this was a very high probability just yesterday. So why am I upset? I've had months to come to terms with this and be ready. Yet something about confirmation made me have what the docs may call an 'adverse reaction.' There's no logic behind this (my mental state of angst). Okay...now that you've made it this far, I pose the same question I entitled this post: If you could go back to the day you were diagnosed, what is some advice that you'd give to yourself, knowing now what you didn't know then? Any advice would be appreciated as I'm truly stressing out. Thank you! ~ Shann -
Hello everyone! I am new here. I went to urgent care for nerve pain last week (hands and feet going numb, tingling, burning etc) My doctor did not want to see me and told me to go to urgent care. I thought the pain was caused from my back because I have a ton of back problems. Anyway, at urgent care the doctor asked if I have celiac disease. I said "No but my grandma does." she straight up said "you have it." no tests nothing, but she has it and said my symptoms reflect the disease. Anyways it makes sense to me and I think I might have it. I have a lot of symptoms and I would like others input. Here is a list: I am a 24 year old female. I am average weight and height. Migranes every day since I was 14. I had to get a cat scan after I fainted in class. They found nothing and put me on meds that didn't work. When I was 15 I had anemia. At 16 I was vitamin D deficient. I got blood work done a few months ago and no longer have anemia After that I had terrible anxiety and depression. Put me on meds that didn't work. Back problems for no reason (started when I was 18) herniated disk, multiple bulging disks, my disks are loosing fluid, scoliosis, Stomach problems, 2 years ago I started to feel nauseous every day, worse in the morning, I'd dry heave every morning or puke. Some days I'd puke up bile. This is still going on. They ran tests on my liver (high liver enzymes and fatty liver) and a gallbladder test, came back normal. I go poop 5-10 times a day. The stool is always loose. Once in awhile it is solid. Sometimes I go so much, when I wipe I start to bleed and it is painful. I have 3 breaks at work, I go before my break and right before it ends. Its embarrassing. So some days I go number two at work 6 times in one day! I always feel like I am on my period, I have skinny days where I can wear a size 9 but somedays for no reason I swell up and my size 11 pants are tight and hurt because my pelvic area is tender. I had an ultrasound, they found one cyst. A few months back I lost 15 pounds in two weeks, I could barely eat I felt so sick all the time. Then a few months later I gained 20 pounds in two weeks. I till wasn't eating. I went up multiple sizes and it just hurt. I never have an appetite. I started to get a random rash, my scalp itched, my knees and my elbows. It went away it was just weird. It lasted about a month and my doc said it was ecsema. Now I can't loose the weight. I am vegetarian, tried working out but can't loose anything. (by working out I mean walking. I literally don't have energy to do anything else) I get puffy eyes. Bad allergies, and sinus pressure every day of my life. On allergy meds that kinda help. I noticed a lot of these symptoms get worse after I eat gluten. I just started keeping track after the doctor mentioned this. I also have just been getting nerve pain, my arms and legs cramp up, my feet cramp up and get stuck, my hands and feet go numb, tingle, and BURN. I am tired all day every day even if I sleep 10 plus hours. Everyday I feel like I lifted weights and did full body work outs and everyday I feel hungover even though I did not drink any alcohol. I get tired from folding laundry and can barely function. All I want to do is lay in bed. Some days I drink 5 cups of coffee and an energy drink and I'm still tired. I also have brain fog and bad memory problems lately. I am messing up at work with the way I feel. I literally feel like my body is telling me something wrong. Sometimes my body aches so much I think I have fibro or (cancer) thats really how bad I feel. One day after my legs were cramping all day I had weird red patches all over my legs. I was freaked out. Any input would be great. Of course having celiac would suck but I feel so bad every day an answer to my problems would be amazing. I can't keep living like this. I noticed after I eat gluten, about an hour after, I feel depressed for no reason. Sometimes I cramp up and my stomach is tender. I don't know what to do. -
Hi been diagnosed as cealiac over 2 years ago at present have very sore tongue and ulcer like sores end of my nose any advice how to clear these up creams etc would be fab
-
I have had a multitude of symptoms for an extended period that have seemed to get worse throughout the past year including: constant fatigue, severe migraine, inability to concentrate, "brainfog," unmotivated, poor mood, diarrhea/constipation, hemorrhoids, etc... for about 6 months I eaten very little gluten. When I eat no gluten for about 1 week, nearly all of these symptoms go away until I eat bread or oatmeal or other gluteny foods. I had a blood test for IgA, TTG, IgG, and TTG IgG Quantitative; all of which returned a negative Celiac diagnosis. BUT, I hadn't eaten gluten for about 2-3 months before this test. I also had an ultrasound which showed a prominent gall bladder and have bilirubin levels at 2.6 with a standard range of .2-1.3. I am seeing a GI next week seeking answers to try to feel normal again. Do you think I may have Celiac, or is it worth testing? Testing would likely mean going on a gluten challenge... Any insight would be very helpful! -
Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum (and diet) & have been having a lot of trouble trying to find foods I can eat based on the results I recently received after a food intolerance blood test. Google isn't helping me answer all my questions, and my naturopath is on vacation for the next 2 weeks, so I was hoping some of you informed folk could help? My main intolerances include: Dairy (cow, sheep, goat, casein) Barley & wheat - (I am OK to eat gluten, durum, wheat bran, buckwheat, millet, rye, oats...) Pea Corn Potato Rice Cashew nut & pistachio Yeast (brewer's) - baker's is fine Bean (Red Kidney & White Haricot) Egg white - (egg yolk is OK, and baked eggs are fine) Orange Cabbage (Savoy/White) Mustard Seed The odd thing is, I am okay to eat gluten (gliadin) itself, but eliminating wheat from my diet puts me on a gluten-free diet. Does anyone know what kinds of flours are appropriate substitutions given my intolerances? (ie, sorghum, quinoa, semolina, spelt, etc.). Most places use rice, potato or corn as substitutions, all of which I think are safe to say I cannot have. My list of questions of what I CAN eat, if anyone can help answer their groupings or categories: Baking powder corn syrup, rice vinegar, sweet potatoes/squash lima, black, pinto, mung beans & chickpeas quinoa & farro It's been difficult trying to create a diet and figure out places I can safely dine out without having to worry. Thanks so much for your help. Cheers! A -
My first blog takes me back 5 years ago when my youngest daughter started her freshman year of high school. She had been diagnosed Celiac for 5 years at this point, by now I was sure my daughter had come to terms with her restrictive diet. She was happy-go-lucky Madeline, ever smiling, always positive, living every day with joy. Little did I suspect that the social acceptance of being a young gluten-free teen was secretly troubling her and it was about to burst forth in a profusion of tears and sudden flight from her classroom. All because of just one cookie! Nobody wants to read the minutiae of a teenager's day, so I will sum up the event. Choir class of 100 students, dozens of cookies left over from an evening event, the class is all offered cookies. A hundred girls each enjoy one delicious cookie while one girl sits among them with nothing. Madeline politely approached the choir teacher and asked if she could get something from the choir store since she couldn't have a cookie, at which the teacher replied, "Madeline it's just one cookie!" [insert gushing tears and dramatic stage right here] Two class periods later, the oldest sister, Claire, enters the choir room. Claire is a gifted singer, little miss detail and unofficial teacher helper…she is also a Celiac. The choir director is concerned about Madeline's meltdown and speaks to Claire asking if her little sister is always so emotional over things as insignificant as "Just One Cookie". Claire's response is spot on. "Sir, you don't understand, its not just one cookie…its one cookie yesterday, one cookie today, one cookie tomorrow, and the day after that and after that and after that…it will never be just one cookie for her!" Four years later at Madeline's graduation party, one of her fellow graduates (also a Celiac) came up and hugged me and said. "Mrs. Wilson I have been looking forward to Madeline's party all week because I knew you would have Gluten-Free cake. This is the only piece of graduation cake I will get to have." Wow! She, too, was longing to fully participate, to have the same experience as everyone else. All I could do was hug her, congratulate her on her graduation, and ask if she would like me to wrap up an extra piece for a rainy day. Over the years I had gone to great lengths to ensure my girls were fully included in sleepovers, cookouts, and pizza parties because sharing food and drink is the most common form of social ritual, an intrinsic part of feeling included. I found that when it comes to a gluten-free lifestyle, its never been about "Just One Cookie".
-
Ok for those of you who do not know me I travel a lot. So from time to time I accidentally ingest gluten in one form or another. For instance I found out today that Sodium Starch Glycolate is technically gluten and can cause a full reaction in someone who is as sensitive to it as I am. Thanks to #glutenfreeinsc post I now know what I was getting in my diet that was causing a reaction. So I've decided to start trying different things that can help me either get better faster once I ingest gluten or reduce the reaction if taken daily. Keep in mind that I am a little bit eccentric at times. Tral 1: zGlutn by systemic formulas I decided to eat a slice of bread and take 4 pills at the same time. I know this is insane but I wanted to know if it worked. So I ate the bread during lunch and told my boss that If i didn't make it into work the next day I was probably dead... The next two hours: a little cloudy feeling but not very severe. And no GI issues. That evening: Kept working and didn't feel very cloudy but had to pace myself. I was a little tired but still no severe reaction Went home and went to bed after a light dinner. My stomach was growling a bit but no pain and no noticeable diarrhea or nausea. This was a surprise to me since I always feel very sick, get stuck in the bathroom and can't think straight after I get gluten. I also get a rash around my mouth. I know that's gross but you understand my plight. Next Morning: a little bit of a hot feeling in my stomach but nothing too bad. I felt a little bit cloudy but still functional. Worked through the day no problem except for a two trips to the lavatory. Conclusion: helped a ton. Wouldn't recommend trying this at home because it wasn't a cure but if you get gluten by accident it can reduce your symptoms dramatically. I've been taking it every day and it seems to be helping. Has anyone else tried this product? I got it from a nutritionist. Iang if anyone has a product that works for them as vitamin I want to try it. apparently ciliact is terrible. I'll keep trying supplements and diets and keep you guys updated.
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):
