When Symptoms Get Out of Control

In my article on June 15th, I quote a very interesting statistic from the University of Chicago: 41% of adults diagnosed with Celiac Disease in this study did NOT have any symptoms. In addition, adults with symptoms such as migraines, chronic fatigue or even cancer are not quick to go check out whether or not they are allergic to gluten or worse, get diagnosed for celiac disease, yet the connection between these symptoms and celiac disease are stronger than you think. And it is even harder to give up that bread when it does not seem to be affecting your general health.

I understand this all too well, as my oldest daughter was asymptomatic. And boy was she mad when she found out that her favorite bread bowl from Panera Bread Company was no longer something she could indulge in! Having no gastrointestinal symptoms does not immunize you against the many long-term health problems associated with celiac disease, especially if left untreated. For those of you who are my age, and have lived with the symptoms all their life or who are asymptomatic but are having other health related issues, here are some signs and symptoms to look out for. Each topic is deserving of its own article, some of which I have addressed in the past, and some which I will address in the future. This list comes from the book “The G Free Diet: A Gluten Free Survival Guide” by Elisabeth Hasselbeck.

• Malnutrition (see article on April 20th 2010)
• Short Stature, Delayed Growth or Puberty
• Osteoporosis (see article on April 20th 2010)
• Cancer
• Reproductive Issues (see article on May 18th 2010)
• Miscarriages
• Neurological Issues
• Depression
• ADHD, Irritability and Anxiety
• Liver Diseases and Disorders
• Autoimmune Conditions
• Thyroid Problems
• Type 1 Diabetes
• Fibromyalgia
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Sjogren’s Syndrome
• Addison’s Disease
• Aphthous Stomatitis
• Cardiomyopathy

Please refer to my upcoming Newsletters in 2011 where I will address in detail some of the auto-immune disorders associated with Celiac disease. Other conditions and disorders I have addressed or will address this year. Here is a recipe that you might have seen in my May 2010 Newsletter. It is simple and delicious and in my mind I feel like everyone deserves a treat when they are struggling to go gluten free.

Peanut Butter Fudge

Ingredients:
½ cup butter
2 ¼ cups light brown sugar
½ cup sweetened condensed milk
¾ cup creamy organic peanut butter
1 ½ t vanilla
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:
Melt butter over medium heat.
Stir in brown sugar and milk.
Boil for 2 minutes, with constant stirring.
Remove from heat.
Add vanilla and peanut butter.
Add 2 1/2  cups powdered sugar into mixture.
Beat until smooth.
Pour into a 9 X 11 baking dish.
Chill until ready to eat.
Cut into squares.
A great ‘mix in’ for vanilla ice cream!