Celiac Awareness Month
Published on: 16 May, 2023May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month, and May 16 is Celiac Awareness Day in Canada.
Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune condition that results in inflammation and damage to the small intestine when gluten is consumed. It is not an allergy to wheat or wheat products. Celiac disease affects approximately 1% of people worldwide, and many people have the condition without knowing it. Symptoms vary greatly from person to person, and some people may be completely asymptomatic, while others suffer from severe digestive, neurological, or skin symptoms. The only treatment for celiac disease is a lifelong adherence to a gluten free diet. Untreated celiac disease can result in numerous complications, including vitamin deficiencies, infertility, hair loss, brittle bones, ulcers in the small intestine, and rarely, certain types of cancer. While there is no cure for celiac disease, most people respond well to a gluten-free diet and live a normal life.