Are you suffering from?

• chronic diarrhoea,
• abdominal discomfort
• bloating and
• distension
• irritability (one of the most common symptoms in children)
• depression
• fatigue
• weakness
• lethargy
• anaemia
• weight loss
• bone or joint pain
• behavioural changes
• muscle cramps
• tingling numbness in the limbs
• mouth ulcers
• dermatitis
• tooth discolouration
• missed menstrual periods
• easy bruising of the skin

I was given this statistic this week:  "It is estimated that at least one in 60 Australian women and one in 80 men are affected by coeliac disease, but approximately 80% of those affected remain undiagnosed".   Source: Walter & Eliza Hall Institute.  Are you one of the 80% undiagnosed?

I asked Erin Hunter, our naturopath who has personally has coeliac disease to help share more about the disease.
It is interesting to point out there is no typical presentation of symptoms which is why I think a lot of people are undiagnosed.  Patients may develop initial symptoms as children or adults. Coeliac disease is sometimes triggered or becomes active for the first time after surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infection or severe emotional stress.

What is coeliac disease?

Patients with coeliac disease have intolerance to a protein in gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. So when gluten is ingested the immune system responds by attacking the cells lining the gut.

How is coeliac disease diagnosed?

Erin recommends seeking advice and testing from your doctor.  If a gluten free diet has already been adopted prior to diagnosis, the tests used to diagnose coeliac disease are unreliable, and can be falsely negative.  If gluten has been removed from the diet, a normal diet must be resumed for at least six weeks prior to testing.

A specific blood test (Coeliac serology) measures antibody levels in the blood which are typically elevated in people with untreated coeliac disease, due to the body’s reaction to gluten. (Less reliable in children under the age of four). It may be suggested the antibody tests be performed on two occasions three months apart.

Importantly, a diagnosis of coeliac disease SHOULD NOT be made on the basis of a blood test alone. A positive blood test always needs to be followed by a small bowel biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

For more information on coeliac disease, check out the Coeliac Society of Australia website or the Centre for Digestive Diseases
.
I hope this information helps direct and encourage some of you, or your family and friends to seek medical advise and get a proper diagnosis. 
Erin (naturopath) can assist by offering nutritional advice to lead a healthy gluten-free lifestyle to patients who:

• Already have a medical diagnosis of Coeliac Disease
• Symptoms but weren't diagnosed with Coeliac Disease (suspected it but it was negative and still have symptoms)
• Have been diagnosed with other food intolerances, sensitivies and allergies.
• Have been newly diagnosed by guiding them with gluten-free diet planning and label reading

To make your appointment with Erin Hunter, please call the clinic on94379555 or check out our website.

Today's recipe come from 4 Ingredients: Gluten Free, Lactose Free (Kim Mc Cosker)

Energy Bars
 

• 1 cup (120g) dates pitted
• 3/4 cup (200g) crunchy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup (60g) shredded coconut
• 3 TBS raw cocoa powder

Place ingredients into a food processor and blend until well combined. Spoon mixture into a paper lined loaf tin.
Refrigerate for min1 hour, cut into bars, store in an airtight container in the fridge. That easy and yep they're tasty.

So if you're tired, experiencing tummy issues, sore, mouth ulcers or any of the mentioned symptoms, you need to speak to Erin Hunter to see how she can help you.
Share with us your experiences, symptoms and story of you diagnosed or undiagnosed conditions.
 
Yours In Optimum Health
Dr. Dina Culcasi
Clinic Manager, Owner & Osteopath