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 Jenn Whaley Offers Insight on Celiac Disease

 

The October 15, 2012 Kentland Rotary program was led by Jenn Whaley who spoke about celiac disease and living gluten free.  Jenn was diagnosed in 2007 with celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by consuming a protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye. When a person with celiac eats gluten, the protein interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food by damaging a part of the small intestine called villi. Damaged villi make it nearly impossible for the body to absorb nutrients into the bloodstream, leading to malnourishment and a host of other problems including some cancers, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, infertility and the onset of other autoimmune diseases.

The only treatment for celiac disease is to maintain a gluten-free diet for life. There are no medications or surgeries that can cure the disease.People can live with the genes of celiac disease and have no problems for a very long time. Stressful events like pregnancy, surgery, or severe emotional distress can trigger the onset of the disease. Jenn claimed that it was over a 15 year process for her to become diagnosed celiac.  She was misdiagnosed for many years due to what she felt was lack of knowledge about the disease and the wide array of symptoms that may mimic other diseases or issues, such as IBS, chronic fatigue syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. Because it is a genetic disease, she also had her children tested, and her daughter, Madeline, was also diagnosed with celiac shortly after Jenns diagnosis in 2007.

Living a gluten-free lifestyle hasn’t been easy, but is getting easier as companies are getting more and more good gluten free products on the shelves as well as restaurants are developing gluten-free menus. Locally, Monical’s makes a gluten free pizza, and Earl's Dining in Brook also provides gluten-free offerings as well as Redbridge Gluten Free beer made by Budweiser for those who must eat gluten-free. Her daughter is provided a gluten- free meal at South Newton thanks to the cooperation of the school cafeteria director, Chris Barce. Jenn explained different products that contained gluten that you wouldn’t think would have any wheat, barley, malt or rye in them.   Some chap sticks, soy sauces, toothpastes, medications, broths, deli meats, spices do contain gluten. One with celiac must read labels carefully on everything in order to avoid items with gluten.  Jenn provided the Rotarians a handout with facts about celiac disease from the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NCFA).

·         One in 133 Americans has celiac disease.

·         Three million Americans across all races, ages and genders suffer from celiac.

·         Celiac disease is hereditary, so all first and second degree relatives should be screened.

·         95% of celiacs are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions.

·         6-10 years is the average time a person waits to be correctly diagnosed in the United States.

·         The burden of undiagnosed celiac disease over a four-year period is estimated to be almost $4,000.

·         Celiac disease can lead to a number of other disorders including infertility, reduced bone density, neurological disorders, some cancers, and other autoimmune diseases.

·         There are NO pharmaceutical cures for celiac disease.

·         A strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment for celiac disease.

·         The gluten-free marketplace is growing at a rate of 28% a year!