Celiac Disease Foundation Website Review

Colic. Lupus. Type I Diabetes. Crohn's Disease. Eczema. Fibromyalgia. Iron-deficiency anemia. Failure to thrive. Diarrhea. Mouth Sores. Osteoporosis. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. At first sight, you might think that the above conditions would not have something in common. But people experiencing any of the above might: gluten intolerance.

Celiac Disease (AKA Celiac Sprue, Coeliac Disease) is a condition in which people experience various symptoms (or perhaps no symptoms) when they eat/drink anything with even tiny amounts of gluten (from grains such as wheat, barley, rye and sometimes oats). Approximately 1 out of 133 people has celiac disease, but the majority are not diagnosed with this condition. This is a great, informative website about Celiac Disease. It gives information about the disease, symptoms and treatment, which includes a gluten-free diet. Many people are scared of a gluten-free diet, but it really is worth it to be healthier and to have happier, healthier kids. The site offers information from support groups to recipe books (money-saving tip--I tend to check out cookbooks via interlibrary loan and then only buy the ones that truly fit my needs) to links for manufacturers of gluten-free foods. It also contains information regarding FDA labeling, studies and research regarding celiac disease.

I'll share a bit of my own experience so that perhaps it might help someone reading this to put a real face on gluten intolerance and perhaps help you to recognize a possible gluten sensitivity in someone you know:

I did not give food sensitivities and allergies much thought until I had children. By the time I had my second child, I was living on perhaps two hours of sleep per night. The oldest would cry and say her belly hurt in the evening until nearly 2 a.m. After finally getting her to sleep, my second child would wake around 2:30 a.m. and nurse and then begin to cry until nearly 7 a.m. I learned to sleep sitting up or to close my eyes for a "power nap" while reading a children's book that I had already read dozens of times.

After the girls were treated for GERD (reflux), their symptoms improved, but they still had numerous pasty stools every day, a persistent rash on their backs, and we seemed to be constantly battling one infection or another as well as major meltdowns and colic. Sometimes the stools were BRIGHT green, and I found out later this was a sign of a food allergy. It didn't help that the 2 ½-year-old had not gained a pound in a year-she would act so hungry but then say she couldn't eat after two or three bites. If the baby was not eating or sleeping, it seemed like she was crying ALL the time. I would get an early appointment to see the doctor and the girls would fall asleep in the car before I would even get out of the driveway. They would look pretty good at the doctor's office and we would be sent home with a shrug and once with instructions to learn how to let the baby cry--I don't see that one any more. I would feed them something quick and healthy on the way home like Cheerios or pretzels and by the time we got back home the symptoms would be back with a vengeance. I wondered if I was losing my mind, my sanity or if someone were playing a cruel joke. I had recurrent sinusitis and yeast infections, terrible gas, eczema, anemia, and a recurrent sty. It was ROUGH.

Then we tried a gluten-free diet. The symptoms improved dramatically. The nursery workers at the YMCA asked us what I had done with my oldest daughter because she seemed so energetic! The baby become much happier, and I got more sleep-hoorah! We later discovered that the girls had multiple other food sensitivities and we've cut those out as well with good results. By the time I had my third daughter, I wasn't surprised when she also had food sensitivities. Yep-it does take extra effort when my kids are invited to a birthday party and I need to pack special food for them, but it sure beats the alternative.

Check out this website today and learn about this common disorder. Feel free to post any questions you may have or your own story as well.