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BookmarkScienceDaily (Dec. 31, 2003) — ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Until recently, doctors thought that celiac disease -- an intolerance of gluten (a protein in wheat and other grains) -- was rare in the United States. That perception is changing. A recent Mayo Clinic study found a dramatic increase in the number of cases of this disorder. The group most affected is women in their 40s, 50s and 60s.
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The January issue of the Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource details signs and symptoms of celiac disease including sporadic diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and foul-smelling or grayish stools. It’s not uncommon for people with celiac disease to have symptoms for many years before a diagnosis is made because of the wide range of symptoms and the belief that the disease is rare.
Celiac disease is diagnosed by a blood test and confirmed by taking a tissue sample from the small intestine. Once diagnosed, it’s important to eliminate gluten from the diet and avoid bread, pasta, cookies or anything containing wheat, barley or rye. After a few weeks on a gluten-free diet, you’ll typically see improvement in symptoms.
