A Breakthrough for Coeliac Disease Sufferers
Last Updated: 8th December 2022 · Written by Kate Young
We hope you’re bready for this? Australia has had a HUGE breakthrough that could end gluten-free diets for coeliac disease sufferers forever according to this Daily Mail article. A new trial vaccine has been developed to put an end to the restrictive diet that people suffering with this condition face.
According to Coeliac Australia, it is known that one in 70 Australians are affected by the condition and approximately 80% of this number remain undiagnosed therefore untreated. In the UK, as suggested by Coeliac UK, 1 in 100 people have this condition and 24% of these people remain undiagnosed – this is approximately 500,000 people.
Do you know how Coeliac disease can affect you?
Coeliac disease is a serious immune condition caused by an intolerance to gluten. It means that gluten-containing foods damage the small bowel and prevent correct digestion. This is because the ‘finger-like’ joins within the gut that would normally absorb your food become inflamed meaning that they cannot perform their job correctly.
There are many symptoms that could trigger the warning signs for coeliac, here are a few of them;
• Diarrhoea and excessive wind.
• Persistent nausea and vomiting.
• Stomach pains including cramps and bloating.
• Tiredness leading to migraines.
• Hair and weight loss.
• Skin rashes.
• Pain in your joints and bones.
Most of these symptoms can be confused with those of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and if you are suffering from any of the above, you should arrange a visit to your GP and request a test for coeliac disease.
There are also a range of serious consequences that can happen as a result of untreated coeliac disease, including;
• Infertility.
• Miscarriage.
• Early menopause.
What are our hopes for the future of coeliac disease sufferers?
All being well, and the vaccine having a positive effect, the aim would be that people previously suffering from coeliac disease can look towards enjoying a normal diet symptom free. The hope is that this vaccine, if taken successively, will allow the body to learn not to go into ‘attack mode’ every time gluten is consumed which will mean the body will have developed a tolerance to gluten-containing foods.
At Lifelab Testing, we are very aware of the effects of coeliac disease and how this can take a toll on a person’s life. As well as this, it is known to us that there is a common confusion between coeliac disease and an allergy or intolerance to gluten/wheat. Although we do not test for this condition, we do test for intolerances to gluten and allergies to wheat (gluten containing grains) and we are here to help you understand the difference between the two.
If you would like to learn more about the allergy and intolerance testing services that we offer, visit our website and take a look around. For as little as £74.99, you can discover your allergies and take the next step into leading a healthier life.
