Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Ask for this test if you are having stomach/bowel problems
by sgoldie, Jan 04, 2007 12:00AM
I have been doing quite a bit of research about Crohn's since my son was diagnosed. I found, quite by accident, during my own investigation that there is a not very highly publicised condition which has the same symptoms as Crohn's - stomach distress, diarrhea, et al.
It's called "Celiac Disease" and is an intolerance (allergy? or autoimmune response?) to the protein in wheat called 'gluten', and a few other grains. Gluten is naturally occuring in wheat. However, it's also the protein that makes bread dough stretchy and so these days it is added to commercial bread products in addition to what's already in the wheat flour.
Researchers are just beginning to associate Celiac with Crohns and I wouldn't be surprised if they found out the intestinal damage caused by Celiac (due to addl amts of gluten put into modern bread) in fact lead to Crohns. --My own postulation.
Ayway, the two diseases present with the same symptoms as I stated above. But, Celiac can be controlled by adhering to a life-long gluten free diet alone.
Much better to ask your doctor for the simple test for Celiac than be misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed (as in having both), and the possiblility for multitudes of toxic drugs that Crohn's requires if it's Celiac in addition/instead.
It is possible to have both as my son does. A gluten-free diet has much improved his condition though. If more people are diagnosed with both (as I suspect) there will be more research and possible changes.
It's called "Celiac Disease" and is an intolerance (allergy? or autoimmune response?) to the protein in wheat called 'gluten', and a few other grains. Gluten is naturally occuring in wheat. However, it's also the protein that makes bread dough stretchy and so these days it is added to commercial bread products in addition to what's already in the wheat flour.
Researchers are just beginning to associate Celiac with Crohns and I wouldn't be surprised if they found out the intestinal damage caused by Celiac (due to addl amts of gluten put into modern bread) in fact lead to Crohns. --My own postulation.
Ayway, the two diseases present with the same symptoms as I stated above. But, Celiac can be controlled by adhering to a life-long gluten free diet alone.
Much better to ask your doctor for the simple test for Celiac than be misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed (as in having both), and the possiblility for multitudes of toxic drugs that Crohn's requires if it's Celiac in addition/instead.
It is possible to have both as my son does. A gluten-free diet has much improved his condition though. If more people are diagnosed with both (as I suspect) there will be more research and possible changes.
Related discussions
-
Crohn's or Celiacs Disease???My question is what is the difference between crohn's an...[more]
-
Gallbladder?Dioverticular? Collagenous Colitis? (3 replies):First of all I read the posts on colonoscopies and that ...[more]
-
Dietary help for Crohn's (6 replies):I see a lot of people write in who struggle with what to...[more]
-
have you been tested for food allergies??? (1 replies):My grandson was just diagnosed with Celiac disease and t...[more]
-
blood in stool, large stool (4 replies):I am a 24 year old relatively healthy person. I have ha...[more]
-
Celiac Sprue (8 replies):Does anyone know for sure if Celiac Sprue can be a cause...[more]
-
celiac sprue (2 replies):I was recently diagnosed with celiac disease. I had a b...[more]
-
celiac disease vs. celiac sensitivity (3 replies):My brother was just diagnosed with celiac disease, had e...[more]
-
Diarrhea to constipation and nausea after eating. (3 replies):My friend has had from (primarily)diarrhea to constipati...[more]
Post Comment
Related Communities
Recent Videos
Related Expert Forums
Recent Activity
Most Popular Trackers
RSS
Expert Activity
Community Members
It's a simple blood test and as the poster above mentioned it is SEVERLY under- and mis-diagnosed!
I have celiac, which was confirmed by a blood test and an endoscopy, and I seem to get this auto-immune from both sides of the family where we have Type 1 Diabetes, rheumatoid (sp?) arthritis, etc etc...
My sister was diagnosed for years as IBS, or Acid Reflux and they finally figured out it was Celiac after 4 years of her suffering!!