Did you know, according to Coeliac UK, that 1 in 100 people have coeliac disease, but only 24% of people with the condition have been diagnosed? This means there are nearly 500,000 people who have the disease but don’t yet know, right here in the UK.
What coeliac disease is (and isn’t!):
Coeliac disease is a digestive condition caused by an adverse reaction of the immune system to gluten. It isn’t a gluten intolerance or a food allergy but an autoimmune disease, where the body’s immune system attacks itself and damages the lining of the small intestine when gluten is eaten.
Signs and symptoms:
The signs and symptoms of coeliac disease vary from person to person and can last anywhere from a couple of hours to one or two days. Symptoms may include bloating, stomach pain, ulcers and feeling sick and tired. Failure to thrive, muscle wasting and loss of appetite are common symptoms of coeliac disease in children and babies. For a full list of symptoms, click here.
Diagnoses Process:
If you are showing some of the symptoms of coeliac disease, always visit your GP and discuss your concerns. They may take a blood test to check for antibodies common in people with coeliac disease; if they are found, you may be referred for a biopsy to double-check and confirm the diagnosis.
Alleviating Symptoms:
There is no cure for coeliac disease, but Coeliac UK is researching ways to develop a vaccine. People treat the condition and ease their symptoms by following a gluten-free diet to prevent damage to their gut.
So, what is gluten? Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, so foods containing these should be avoided. It’s not as bad as it sounds; you can still have rice, potatoes, meat, fish and loads of other tasty things.
And when you don’t have time to cook for yourself, why not pick up a quick and convenient Kirsty’s ready meal? Our meals are all naturally healthy and free from and fabulous! Find your nearest stockist here.