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Celiac Disease Symptoms in Children

http://blog.drdavidwilliams.com/blog/dr-david-williams/0/0/celiac-disease-symptoms-in-children

Celiac disease symptoms are difficult to identify in children, according to a report just published in the journal Pediatrics. A recently developed test for antibodies to gluten has made diagnosis much easier, though. At one hospital in Alberta, Canada, the number of children diagnosed with celiac disease tripled during the period of 2000 to 2006, compared with the period 1990-1996.

During the earlier period, most of those identified were younger than age 2, and showed up with classic celiac disease symptoms: chronic bloating and gas, and constipation or diarrhea. During the later period, children up to age 9 were diagnosed, and less than a fifth of them had the typical celiac disease symptoms. Instead, they had either non-specific digestive symptoms, other symptoms such as anemia, or a family history of the disease.

One of the authors of the report, Dr. JD Butzner, recommended that any child be tested for celiac disease if they have digestive symptoms that dont go away on their own or respond to treatment.

The standard treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. Ten years ago, such a diet would have been a burden on both the patient and family members. Over the past few years, however,  more and more gluten-free foods have become available. Not only that, but gluten-free foods taste better than ever. (I have to say, many of the early gluten-free foods tasted like cardboard.)

Still, living in a gluten-free world does take some effort. For full details, I recommend that you read Breaking the Vicious Cycle, written by Elaine Gottschall. Ive recommended her book and program for years, and have had many patients get excellent results. The book is available on Amazon, or from Ms. Gottschalls Web site, www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info.