Q. I always thought celiac disease was extremely rare and only affected young children. I was told that I had celiac sprue as a child but that I had outgrown it.
I suffer a lot of digestive tract discomfort and my stomach constantly makes rumbling sounds that are quite embarrassing. Could I still have celiac disease?
A. As far as we know, people do not outgrow their sensitivity to gluten. Another reader offered this testimonial:
“I suffered for decades with severe stomach pains, gas, bloating and attention-getting digestive noises. Despite seeking treatment, I never got relief until I stumbled on information about celiac disease. This is a genetic intolerance to gluten found in wheat, rye, barley, and by cross-contamination, oats. Eliminating gluten from my diet has changed my life.
“Celiac disease was formerly thought to be very rare, but a study put the rate at about one of every 133 Americans, the majority undiagnosed. This makes for a lot of needless suffering.”
For more information on symptoms of celiac disease and the tests used to make a diagnosis, we offer our Guide to Digestive Disorders. There is also a wealth of information available in our one-hour radio interview with celiac disease expert Peter Green, MD.
