define('DISABLE_WP_CRON', true);{"id":1036,"date":"2008-03-19T21:16:31","date_gmt":"2008-03-19T10:16:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sh1ft.org\/blog\/?p=1036"},"modified":"2008-03-19T21:34:39","modified_gmt":"2008-03-19T10:34:39","slug":"what-is-coeliac-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/sh1ft.org\/blog\/1036\/","title":{"rendered":"what is coeliac disease?"},"content":{"rendered":"

as part of nsw’s coeliac awareness week, i thought i’d write a bit more about what it is and what it’s like for those who have it. <\/p>\n

as posted on The Coeliac Society of Australia’s website –
\nCoeliac disease (pronounced seel-ee-ak) is a condition in which the mucosa (lining) of the small bowel (intestine) is damaged.<\/p>\n

In untreated coeliac disease, the lining of the intestine becomes inflamed and has a characteristic flat appearance (like a threadbare carpet). This is referred to as villous atrophy. The surface area, which enables the absorption of nutrients and minerals, is seriously reduced (to the size of a table or less) which can lead to nutritional deficiencies.<\/em><\/p>\n

Can Coeliac Disease be cured?<\/strong>
\nPeople with coeliac disease remain sensitive to gluten throughout their life, so in this sense, they are never cured. <\/em><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.coeliac.org.au\/dis-what.html<\/a><\/p>\n

some symptoms of Coeliac Disease include – fatigue, anaemia, cramping and bloating, nausea and vomiting, easy bruising of the skin, recurrent mouth ulcers, altered mental alertness (all which I have\/had myself) – however some people may be asymptomatic (no symptoms at all)<\/p>\n

diagnosis of Coeliac Disease is more than trialing a gluten free diet (which i’ve done) – a blood test screening can diagnose you or you will need to have a gastroscopy so they can do a biopsy of your small bowel (which i haven’t done yet). <\/p>\n

if you suspect that you may have coeliac disease, then do not change your diet until you’ve see your doctor for a blood test or had the gastroscopy!! i never did, i went straight to cutting gluten out of my life and i don’t know whether i’ll ever go back to it for the 6-week challenge and testing… it’s not worth me being sick for a few months and not being able to take care of Jasper.. i’m happy now! <\/p>\n

for more information on coeliac disease, visit
\n http:\/\/www.coeliac.org.au<\/a>
\n http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Coeliac_disease<\/a>
\n http:\/\/www.gesa.org.au\/leaflets\/coeliac-disease.cfm<\/a><\/p>\n

you can also read my gluten free food blog<\/a>, where i post about the gluten free, yeast free food i’ve found or made \ud83d\ude42 <\/p>\n

to end, i will add that going gluten free isn’t as dismal and boring as people think! i find myself eating healthier and fresher foods – hardly any pre-packaged junk, no fast food except for sushi or salads \ud83d\ude42 i find it empowering to know what i’m putting into my body is good for ME <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"