Celiac Sprue? What's In The Name?

[ms-sillyak-screwed]

?

[emeraldskies]

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"The word sprue derives from the Dutch spruw, which means mouth blisters. These were described as an important sign of the illness by the Dutch physician Vincent Ketelaer in 1669, almost three centuries before gluten's role was suspected."

[higgins]

Hi everyone in Celiac cyberspace!

I have had this question since the first time I heard the words "Celiac Sprue" or tropical sprue...

Where did the NAME COME FROM?

Anyone know?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[higgins]

Hi. I thought it had been called "non-tropical Sprue". Frankly, I like the "tropical" version better; it conjures up thoughts of sunny beaches. (If you're gonna be sick, you might as well have something nice to look at).

"Sprue" is such a ghastly-sounding word...ick! Say it a few times: sprue, sprue, sprue...ick!

(I'm getting a bit carried away, I know, but it's fun...I'm not really nuts.)

higgins

Whaletown, BC

[ms-sillyak-screwed]

-

[emeraldskies]

Some of those aphthous ulcers can blister a bit. I think it's odd that they described it using that symptom rather than what was going on from the intestinal damage. I am fascinated by the Dutch Baroque. They were so brilliant! The first microscope was invented by a Dutchman during that period, and the art-! They were ahead of their time in many ways.

[ms-sillyak-screwed]

Thanks again!

[frenchiemama]

The word "sprue" makes me think of plastic injection molding.

[Merika]

Hmmm...the word sprue never bothered me. It sounds sort of like "sprite" those little tree-elf sort of cute creatures, lol. And does anyone use the whole term "celiac sprue" anymore? And WHAT is "tropical sprue"? I mean, if ours is NON-tropical, there must be a tropical version??

Merika

[cgilsing]

I don't know...I don't really like the tropical part. It sortof sounds to me like I have some disease carried by mosquitos and monkeys! Or like I had a bad water experience in central America or something!

[tarnalberry]

Tropical sprue exists, but is different from non-tropical sprue (which is celiac disease). I don't remember the details, other than it has some similar symptoms, I believe is caused by a parasite (but I'm not sure), and can be "cured". (Note, I am NOT saying celiac disease can be cured, but tropical sprue which is different!)

[debmidge]

celiac (From Webster's New World Dictionary): Latin: coeliacus Greek: koiliakos meaning: of or in the abdominal cavity.

sprue: (same source) Dutch: spruw - meaning of malabsorption

origins of words are interesting.

[higgins]

I suspect the "Tropical" Sprue variety was concocted simply as an excuse for the GI specialists to justify having their conventions in the Bahamas.