What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease where your stomach cannot digest gluten aka wheat, rye or barley. Maintaining a gluten free diet is currently the only cure for Celiac Disease at this time.
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I tested positive for Celiac Disease following a blood test in November 2019. In addition to a blood test, you will most likely have a Colonoscopy and Upper Endoscopy. The doctor does this as blood tests can sometimes come back false positive. The dual procedure will also ensure you do not have Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, which both require you to be on medication the rest of your life.
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Following your procedure, you will want to have follow up blood work done 4-6 months later to ensure all counts are normal. For me, this was the case and I only go to my GI if something comes up. Others are not as lucky and may still experience symptoms and have to make further follow up appointments.
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Celiac Disease along with other autoimmune diseases are typically invisible illnesses meaning you cannot see what an individual is experiencing from the outside. What they are going through is on the inside physically, mentally and emotionally.
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If you are having stomach problems and you are not sure what it is, try changing your diet or go see your GI today!
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Feel free to reach out to me if you have questions too! I am happy to share my experiences.
Celiac Disease Symptoms
Celiac Disease is comprised of over 300 symptoms and no one has identical symptoms. Here are several of the most common symptoms that I experience.
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-Stomach/Abdominal Pain
-Loss of Appetite
-Nausea
-Diarrhea
-Constipation
-Joint Pain
-Headache
-Fatigue
-Weakness
-Anxiety/Depression
-Chills
-Sweats
-Lack of sleep
-Body aches
-Weight loss
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Symptoms are typically physical; however, they can be mental and emotional too.
Favorite Gluten Free Snacks/Brands
-The Good Crisp Company Chips
-Mary's Gone Crackers
-Sweet Loren's Cookies
-Enjoy Life Foods
-Artisan Tropic Plantain and Cassava Strips
-Fritos
-Hummus
-Tate's Gluten Free Cookies
-Canyon Bakehouse
-Kind Snacks
-Cappello's
-Crunchmaster Crackers
-BFree Foods
-Guacamole
-Siete Foods Tortillas and Chips
-PopChips
-Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
-Simple Mills Crackers
-Popcorn
-Bob's Red Mill
-Savor by Suzie Pretzels
-Against the Grain Gourmet
-San J
-Caulipower
-Brazi Bites
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My advice to you is go to your local grocery store and go up and down each aisle to see what gluten free products they have. Today, all stores carry gluten free products you just have to look a little closer. This can be any store from Kroger, Target, Whole Foods, Sprouts, your local supermarket, etc.
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