Could I Have Celiac Disease?

celiac word in letterpress typeCeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder that interferes with the body’s ability to digest gluten.   Gluten is a protein in wheat, barley and rye.   It is an abnormal immune reaction to gluten and a disease of malabsorption.  Currently 3 million Americans have been diagnosed with celiac disease.  However, there are estimates that an additional 2.5 million more are affected but have not yet received a diagnosis.

Symptoms of celiac disease can vary greatly amongst individuals.  Digestive symptoms are more common in young children and may include chronic diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain and bloating and weight loss.  In adults, the following symptoms are more likely:  iron deficiency anemia, fatigue, bone or joint pain, depression, anxiety, dermatitis herpetiformis and canker sores.   Some patients with celiac disease have no symptoms.  Even if no symptoms are present, long-term complications include liver disease, malnutrition and cancers of the intestine.  Treatment for celiac disease involves eliminating all gluten from the diet.  This is a lifetime requirement.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, offers celiac and food sensitivity testing to her patients.   Offices are maintained in Tampa and Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida.  Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.


 

Am I Sensitive to Certain Foods?

 

One of the most common reasons for physician office visits is “stomach problems.”  These problems may include: abdominal pain and bloating, excess gas production, diarrhea and constipation.  Often, the symptoms can be linked to certain foods that are causing an inflammatory response within the gut.  These foods may trigger chronic activation of the immune system.  Conditions that have been linked to chronic immune activation  include:  skin disorders, chronic fatigue, obesity, allergic rhinitis, and neurological diseases.

Your physician may recommend a blood test to determine if you have a sensitivity or intolerance to certain foods.  The offending foods are then eliminated from your diet for a period of 3-6 months.  During this time period the gut is allowed to heal, and an improvement in symptoms should be achieved.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, is pleased to offer food sensitivity testing to her patients.  Dr. Hermann maintains offices in Tampa and St. Pete Beach, Florida.  Please call the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.