Celiac Disease—What Is Your Gut Telling You?

As part of my commitment to helping patients live healthy, pain-free lives, I regularly take continuing education courses. The most recent one focused on celiac disease (CD).

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, “Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder that can occur in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine.

It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide. Two and one-half million Americans are undiagnosed and are at risk for long-term health complications.”

Symptoms of CD

Here are some of the many symptoms that are associated with CD:

• Abdominal bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

Associations Between CD and Systemic Autoimmune Disease

During the course, I learned that there is a strong association between CD and a variety of systemic autoimmune diseases. They include

• Addison’s disease
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Autoimmune insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (AIDDM)
• Autoimmune thyroid disease
• Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)
• Sjögren’s syndrome

Nutritional Guidance and Chiropractic Care

As gluten avoidance is critical for those living with CD, we can provide guidance about ways to get all the nutrients your body needs without damaging gluten. Chiropractic care is also beneficial in managing celiac. That’s because chiropractic has been shown to relieve various digestive issues. It does so by restoring communication between the brain and the gut. An optimally functioning nervous system, free from interference, can go a long way toward helping you enjoy better overall health.

If you have CD and would like to find out more about how chiropractic could help you manage your symptoms contact us today!