Celiac and Lupus

Those are not freckles, that is an example of a butterfly rash.  

Who would have thought that there is a connection between Celiac and lupus?  Well there is one, those who have Celiac are at higher risk for Systematic Lupus. It wasn't until I ran into someone who had been diagnosed first with Celiac, and then with Lupus, that I even knew there was a connection. Since Celiac and lupus can be found on the same DNA sequence, it seems they can also be activated at the same time. Those with Celiac should probably get a basic blood test to make sure that Lupus is not even a possibility for them.  I will be doing so just to make sure that this is not an issue for me, more of a ruling out test.  

Atypical Celiac

Atypical Celiac may show its self in a very non classical celiac way, meaning that you may not have issues with the intestines.  The signs and symptoms are often misdiagnosed as another disorder.  However, the symptoms will persist or worsen until the patent is placed on a gluten free diet.  Please note that almost all of these symptoms are chronic or severe and should not be confused with regular issues.  

Types of Celiac Disease

Currently there are four types of recognized forms of Celiac.  Each of these forms is only basic and symptoms may vary.  You may have symptoms from one or more of these types.  

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome

Many women going through fertility hear about Ovarian Hyperstimulation.  However, it doesn't happen to most women.  I have had this issue not once but twice.  I am not only going to share the basics they tell you, but also how it really affects a person.

PCOS Periods VS. Normal Period

So I am going to break things down for those with PCOS the difference between a normal period and a period for those with PCOS.  If you have these symptoms you are not alone.  There are many who have the same issues, although they may not talk about it online in an open blog. 

IgA Deficiency and What it Means

I have talked about being IgA D but I don't say what that really means, so I went to many web sites to double check what I knew and have broken it down to almost readable levels.  Immunoglobulin A deficiency is where there is a low level of IgA in the Serum (blood).  This is commonly diagnosed for those between ages 20-40.    For people with this issue, if we ever need blood, we have to have washed blood only.  Full blood or blood that is rich in IgA can cause an anaphylaxis effect (strong allergic reaction). 

Celiac, gluten intolerant or Gluten Sensitive?

 Celiac disease, Gluten Intolerance or Gluten sensitive are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between them.

With Celiac and Gluten Intolerance there is internal damage however, the difference is smaller than that between the two.  Those with Celiac will have a reaction in the immune system.  For example I have issues with my IG-A levels.  That means that Gluten intolerant or Celiac can both lead to changed intestinal permeability as well as damage to the linings of the intestinal tract.  The outward symptoms of all of these issues can be exactly the same which can often lead to confusion about if it is celiac, Gluten sensitivity or if it is Gluten intolerance.

• Weight loss or weight gain
• Nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorption—e.g., low iron levels
• Gastrointestinal problems (bloating, pain, gas, constipation, diarrhea)
• Fat in the stools (due to poor digestion)
• Aching joints
• Depression
• Eczema /rashes
• Headaches
• Exhaustion
• Irritability and behavioral changes
• Infertility, irregular menstrual cycle and miscarriage
• Cramps, tingling and numbness
• Slow infant and child growth
• Decline in dental health

These can show up equally in all 3 types of gluten issues.  However, there is only true intestinal damage in Gluten Intolerance and Celiac and only immune issues with Celiac. 

All three of these issues can lead to further issues such as Diabetes, anemia, and osteoporosis and if you have any of the above symptoms of the listed issues it might be a good idea to get checked for a reaction to gluten.  

Issues often misdiagnosed as celiac are Crohn’s disease, chronic fatigue, iron deficiency, irritable bowel syndrome and intestinal infections can all have similar symptoms. A few recent studies have shown that there is a correlation between gluten issues and the listed issues.  A correlation and not yet any causation however, the studies are still young.

How are these issues developed?

That is a good question that is still being worked out.  Some studies have shown that Stress can cause this issue, others have shown that it has to do with the amount of gluten that was eaten by the mother during pregnancy or how early a child is introduced to gluten.  Other studies have suggested that there is a strong genetic link to those who can tolerate gluten and those that cannot.  

My personal beliefs are that there is a genetic link.  The reason for this thought is the massive amount of those with celiac, gluten intolerance, and gluten sensitivity in my family.  I have one of those strange families that would take a very long time to explain so I am not going into details however; almost every female and enough males in my family have the issues with gluten.  

It also may be a combination of things which is the reason finding the true cause of this is so hard. 

So much is still not known about Celiac, gluten intolerance, and gluten sensitivity since it is still in its infancy of being understood.  All of the above information is as correct as of the time of writing this post.  However, six months or a year from now this may change.  There is still so much to learn about gluten issues and those that suffer from them. 

Celiac Awareness

Celiac Awareness:

Yesterday was Celiac Awareness day, so in that spirit I am going to share some statistics and thoughts.  Some of you may have heard the numbers, that currently Celiac affects 1 in 133, however due to misdiagnosis that the number may be as high as 1 in 10.
What do these numbers mean? 
What this means is that while there are 1 in 133 Americans that are currently diagnosed that means that so many more are undiagnosed.

 I have a challenge for each of you willing to participate, if you know someone who has Celiac or are related to someone who has Celiac then try going gluten free for two weeks.  Think of it like a diet.  After two weeks try to eat something with Gluten in it, you will know right away if it affects you.  This is a cheaper and a surer way than any doctor’s test to let you know if you have a reaction to Gluten.

I had a friend try going gluten free with me; she did it to lose weight, after about three weeks she went out to eat and got into Gluten, yikes.  Now she knows that she needs to stay away from Gluten for the rest of her life, but she wouldn't have known had she not tried the diet.

Also if you look back through other posts you will find that I have fertility issues, Some of this is due to Celiac, I think I might have been more successful in getting and/or staying pregnant if I was able to know that I had an issue with Gluten prior to when I found out.  So for anyone who is having fertility issues it is something to check out.  Like I said it can't hurt and the most that happens is you drop a little bit of weight for a few weeks.

Now down to the symptoms that will occure if you do have an intollerence to gluten.
Todays information is brought to you by http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001280/

·         Abdominal pain, bloating, gas, or indigestion

·         Constipation

·         Decreased appetite (may also be increased or unchanged)

·         Diarrhea, either constant or off and on

·         Lactose intolerance (common when the person is diagnosed, usually goes away after treatment)

·         Nausea and vomiting

·         Stools that float, are foul smelling, bloody, or “fatty”

·         Unexplained weight loss (although people can be overweight or of normal weight)

Because the intestines do not absorb many important vitamins, minerals, and other parts of food, the following symptoms may start over time:

·         Bruising easily

·         Depression or anxiety

·         Fatigue

·         Growth delay in children

·         Hair loss

·         Itchy skin (dermatitis herpetiformis)

·         Missed menstrual periods

·         Mouth ulcers

·         Muscle cramps and joint pain

·         Nosebleeds

·         Seizures

·         Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

·         Unexplained short height

Children with celiac disease may have:

·         Defects in the tooth enamel and changes in tooth color

·         Delayed puberty

·         Diarrhea, constipation, fatty or foul-smelling stools, nausea, or vomiting

·         Irritable and fussy behavior

·         Poor weight gain

·         Slowed growth and shorter than normal height for their age

Ok, now that the fun stuff is over, if you know someone with Celiac give them a hug for me.  The reason for this hug is that it is very hard to go out to eat and it is frustrating for most of us.  Ok since that had nothing to do with anything listed above. I am signing off.  See you all on Sunday.