Celiac disease prevents you from digesting gluten. It’s an autoimmune disorder where your immune system is triggered by gluten intake. This protein type is found in rye, wheat, barley, etc.
So, when you eat foods containing any gluten trace, your small intestine will be attacked by your immune system. This causes damage to the intestine lining. As a result, your body will find it challenging to absorb nutrients and vitamins. In addition, you may suffer from symptoms such as stomach pain and diarrhoea.
Coeliac disease is a seemingly family-run disease. Therefore, you may not be able to prevent it. However, you can reverse the damage by following a diet plan that is gluten-free. If you are strict enough with your diet and lifestyle, you may even stop your symptoms from reoccurring.
Here is some guidance for patients suffering with coeliac disease:
Stay in Touch with Your Doctor
If you are a coeliac patient, you must ensure regular follow-ups with your doctor. This is vital for your safety and effective treatment. Make an appointment as soon as possible if you face any problems or symptoms. Your doctor should provide you with a coeliac disease test to diagnose you, and may carry out this test again in a few months to examine any changes.
Consume Gluten-Free Foods
You should only be consuming a gluten-free diet for controlling your symptoms. This will heal your small intestine and prevent further inflammation.
Even a small dose of gluten can flare up symptoms in patients with this health condition. Therefore, you need to avoid foods such as bagels, bread, pizza, pasta, crackers, cookies, etc. as they all contain rye, barley, and wheat. Or find gluten-free alternatives to your favourite foods.
Avoid Milk
You may be required to avoid taking dairy products for a short while after being diagnosed with coeliac disease. However, once your intestine is healed completely, you’ll be free to consume milk and products related to milk.
Keep an Eye for Hidden Gluten
When shopping for groceries, you should carefully examine the products you buy. Make a habit of reading all food labels and searching for gluten hidden in the ingredients list. For instance, some medicines and food additives may include gluten. Moreover, if you see a label with “modified food starch,” the product might contain gluten.
Take a Proper Diet
You should maintain a healthy diet besides avoiding foods with gluten. Therefore, you may incorporate the following gluten-free options in your everyday meals.
- Eggs as they are a reliable source of protein.
- Dairy products such as yoghurt, cheese, and other milk products are vital for your health.
- Flours and meals are made from arrowroot, amaranth, buckwheat, beans, cornmeal, corn, millet, flax, potatoes, oat bran, gluten-free nut, rice, soybeans, sorghum, quinoa, teff, or tapioca.
- Meats that may be fresh, canned, or frozen.
- Fruits and vegetables.
Join Support Groups
You may discuss this with your doctor or get in touch with your dietician for details and information regarding support groups in your vicinity. Support groups are a great way to help you combat your condition. In addition, you will find useful food recipes and food sources too.
Several food stores now offer gluten-free, specially marked food items to make your life easier. You can visit these stores and look for your favourite foods.
When to Look for Help?
The Celiac disease test determines if you have the disease. If you do, you should call for help in the following situations:
- When your gas, diarrhoea, or bloating worsen.
- Your existing symptoms do not subside after long periods of time
- You are experiencing extreme pain – specifically in the lower abdomen
- When you notice symptoms after a while of not experiencing them.