People recently diagnosed with Celiac disease are often confronted with the need to make many changes to their lifestyle. A support group in the city has been developed to help people with the disease deal with the changes and learn about how to live healthy and happy lives.
According to Rachel Nussbaumer, dietician with the Sunrise Health Region, Celiac disease is a condition which gives people an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley or related cereal grains.
One in 100-200 people have it in North America. Some of the symptoms include abdominal bloating, pain, cramping, gas, indigestion or nausea. Nussbaumer notes that many people will have either diarrhea or constipation, and sometimes will develop deficiencies, most commonly iron deficiencies.
If people have Celiac, the first step to a diagnosis is to be screened with a blood test, though Nussbaumer notes that the only way to tell for certain that a person has the condition is through an intestinal biopsy.
Nussbaumer notes that the only treatment for is a strict, gluten-free diet, something which can be difficult for people newly diagnosed to deal with.
"It can be overwhelming when people are first diagnosed with Celiac disease, because it is a lot of changes to their dietary intake. Bringing those individuals that have a wealth of experience and know the recipes that work and the products that taste really good, bringing those together with those just newly diagnosed, it will be helpful for them to adapt to those changes easier," she says.
The support group has been meeting since September, and each meeting covers a different issues related to Celiac disease. The next meeting, to be held February 15, will cover how people with Celiac disease can ensure their prescription medications are gluten free. Previous topics have included how to find gluten-free products in stores and claiming gluten-free products for tax purposes.
Nussbaumer sees life getting easier for those who have been diagnosed with Celiac disease getting easier, as people become more aware of the disease.
"Products are labeled better now, and we have so many more gluten-free products on the market now, whereas 10 years ago it was a much bigger challenge. Now, even the mainstream grocery stores are carrying gluten-free products, so now it is getting a little bit easier."
Still, Nussbaumer says that those diagnosed with the disease need to visit a dietician in order to plan a diet which meets their needs for nutrition and gluten-free living.
People who would like to know more about Celiac disease or the support group are encouraged to call Nussbaumber at (306)563-1272. The next meeting of the Celiac Support Group will take place on February 15, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
