Brisbane Naturopath offers natural treatment for coeliac disease, providing sufferers with the much-needed relief they want for a better quality of life.
What is Coeliac Disease?
In people with coeliac disease (pronounced ‘seel-ee-ak’ and spelt celiac in some countries) the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats), causing small bowel damage. The tiny, finger-like projections which line the bowel (villi) become inflamed and flattened. This is referred to as villous atrophy. Villous atrophy reduces the surface area of the bowel available for nutrient absorption, which can lead to various gastrointestinal and malabsorptive symptoms. Symptoms can also be caused by inflammation in other parts of the body.
A number of serious health consequences can result if the condition is not diagnosed and treated properly. People with coeliac disease remain sensitive to gluten throughout their life, so in this sense they are never cured. However, a strict gluten free diet does allow the condition to be managed effectively.
How Many People Suffer from Coeliac Disease?
When looking at the prevalence of coeliac disease in Australia, the statistics can vary, especially with the likelihood of many cases going undiagnosed.
Coeliac Australia states that the disease affects roughly one in 70 Australians, yet they believe the number of those cases going undiagnosed is upwards of 80%.
Prominent health insurer BUPA’s figures differ slightly; they claim that the number of Australians affected by the disease is closer to one in 100, with 75% of cases remaining undiagnosed.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Coeliac Disease?
The symptoms of coeliac disease vary considerably. Some people experience severe symptoms while others are asymptomatic (they have no obvious symptoms at all).
Symptoms can include one or more of the following:
- gastrointestinal symptoms e.g. diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, cramping, bloating, abdominal pain, steatorrhea
- fatigue, weakness and lethargy
- iron deficiency anaemia and/or other vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- failure to thrive or delayed puberty in children
- weight loss (although some people may gain weight)
- bone and joint pains
- recurrent mouth ulcers and/or swelling of mouth or tongue
- altered mental alertness and irritability
- skin rashes such as dermatitis herpetiformis
- easy bruising of the skin
People who experience any of the following should also be screened for coeliac disease
- early onset osteoporosis
- unexplained infertility
- family history of coeliac disease
- liver disease
- autoimmune disease e.g. type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid condition
The best way to avoid suffering these symptoms is to avoid the food that contain Gluten.
Before You Seek Treatment for Coeliac Disease
It’s one thing to assume you have coeliac disease simply because your symptoms tick all the boxes, but unless you’ve been properly diagnosed, it’s all just speculation at this point.
Before seeking natural treatment for coeliac disease, make an appointment with your local GP for a comprehensive diagnosis of your condition. Your doctor will take your medical history and provide you with a detailed examination. Should that assessment indicate the presence of coeliac disease, we advise holding off on removing foods containing gluten from your diet until the official results of your examination have come through.
What is the Most Effective Treatment for Coeliac Disease?
At this point, there is no known cure for insensitivity to gluten, so the only real treatment for coeliac disease is to avoid foods that contain gluten. If you wish to speak to a nutritionist in Brisbane who can help you make the transition to a gluten-free diet, make an appointment with Brisbane Naturopath. We can help you identify the foods you’re eating that aggravate your condition and suggest alternatives, whether they be gluten-free variations or different choices altogether so you can avoid the symptoms and enjoy a better quality of life.
What Might Happen if Your Coeliac Disease Remains Undiagnosed?
Coeliac disease that goes undiagnosed can, over an extended period of time, lead to further complications and health problems. Among them are:
- Osteoporosis
- Greater chance of infertility, miscarriage or stillbirth
- Liver disease
- Low moods
Early diagnosis and treatment for coeliac disease can help to significantly minimise the risk of these additional health concerns from developing any further.
