Gluten-free has been a buzzword for several years. From bread to pasta to desserts, a gluten-free lifestyle is one of the most popular diet trends in the United States. One in five people claim that they reduce or eliminate gluten in their diet.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, or rye. While some remove gluten from their diet as part of a growing trend, there are a whole group of people who depend on this eating regime as a form of treatment for a chronic autoimmune disease called celiac disease.

Celiac disease is a disorder in which eating gluten triggers an immune response in the body and creates inflammation and damage to the small intestine — blocking the absorption of essential nutrients. It is also not to be confused with an allergy or an intolerance. It is much more serious and is similar to other autoimmune conditions such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. 

One in 100 people worldwide have celiac disease. Eighty percent of Americans suffer from it and don’t even know it. Symptoms of celiac disease can build over time. The disease can present itself at any age, from infancy to even well into your senior years.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

It can be hard to separate the symptoms of celiac disease from common tummy troubles. Not to mention that there are some 200 symptoms that can be associated with the disease — making diagnosis tricky. 

In young children, some of the first signs of celiac disease can include slow growth, weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, and possibly a bloated looking belly. 

In adults, the most common symptoms include weight loss, chronic diarrhea, abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, weakness, and fatigue. 

Some of the less common but more significant symptoms can include leg numbness, muscle cramps, anemia, joint pain, ulcers in the mouth, and seizures. Celiac disease can also cause a skin disorder called dermatitis herpetiformis, which appears as small blisters on the elbows, knees, and feet.

Making this disease even more complicated is the fact that a significant portion of people will have few or no symptoms of the disease that is silently ravaging the body.

Time to Get Tested

If you suspect you have celiac disease or you’ve been dealing with health issues that don’t seem to be improving, you should get tested. Preliminary testing for celiac disease requires a simple blood test — like the one offered at Any Lab Test Now®. The Celiac Disease Panel is accurate, affordable, and available without a doctor’s prescription. You don’t even need an appointment at Any Lab Test Now in order to get tested. Once you get your results, you can share with your doctor.  

Treatment for Celiac Disease

The only treatment for celiac disease involves adherence to a gluten-free diet. Thanks to the trendiness of this eating style, there are a wide variety of foods available in grocery stores. Even restaurants cater to gluten-free lifestyles.

Gluten-free means no wheat, rye or barley, or any foods made from these grains, such as most pasta, cereal, and many processed foods. People with celiac disease can use potato, rice, soy, amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat, or bean flour instead of wheat flour. 

Once gluten is removed from the diet, people report feeling better within a matter of days. The small intestine begins to repair the existing damage, and the diet will protect it from further harm. 

Be at Ease

Any Lab Test Now wants you to be at ease when it comes to seeking out any type of lab work, including getting tested for celiac disease. 

We provide you a safe and clean alternative location for lab work. Each of our 190+ stores is sanitized several times a day, in accordance with the CDC’s protocols. Any Lab Test Now is a committed partner in helping you manage your family’s healthcare so you can make educated decisions that will directly affect your quality of life. We want to put you at ease during the coronavirus pandemic. We are here to help. 

Find your closest Any Lab Test Now store at www.anylabtestnow.com.