Author: Margaret Clegg of MI Gluten-free Gal.
Research estimates that 1% of the population, which would be 99,000 people in Michigan, are living with Celiac Disease. Of those 99,000 people, it is estimated that almost 69,000 of them are undiagnosed. Recent findings show that this disease is on the rise, across all ethnicities, and cases are more often presenting with non-gastrointestinal symptoms. In fact, Celiac Disease has over 300 associated symptoms, many of which are not abdominally related. Some include: Infertility and miscarriage
Lactose Intolerance Anxiety and Depression Kidney Stones Dental Enamel Defects Turner Syndome Anemia Obesity Hair Loss Peripheral Neuropathy Osteopenia/Osteoporosis Migraines
There are many resources for nurses and doctors wanting to learn more about properly diagnosing Celiac Disease, as well as free resources for doctors to give out once patients are diagnosed.
Physician and Medical Staff Education
North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterologists, Hepatology and Nutrition has a free webinar that is geared for “pediatric and adult gastroenterologists, primary care physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, trainees, dietitians, and other health care professionals who are involved in the care of patients with gluten related disorders." Link - http://bit.ly/NASPGHANceliacwebinar
The Dr. Schar Institute has a complete website devoted to “providing the latest information and training on the diagnosis and management of gluten-related disorders.” This resource is free to professionals and offers a quarterly newsletter delivered to their email inbox. More at http://www.drschaer-institute.com/in/welcome-1.html
Schar also offers free care packages for those newly diagnosed. These are available to doctors to distribute. A form can be be filled out and they will send them directly to the doctor’s office in sets of 5. This box includes food, coupons, and an educational DVD for patients. The form can be downloaded at http://bit.ly/ScharForm, and faxed in when complete.
Beyond Celiac, an advocacy non-profit, offers a free ebook that explains the disease, what they can and can’t eat, and includes a few simple recipes. NFCA also has an archived database of free webinars that range from a variety of different topics.
There are various support groups across that state where patients can get face-to-face interactions and support. Locations include Jackson, Flint, Farmington Hills, Kalamazoo and Muskegon. Many online Facebook gluten-free groups exist as well, such as this one in Grand Rapids.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the author at Margaret@miglutenfreegal.com
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