If I could cure one disease it would be Celiac disease. Many of my friends and family know, but you may not, that I have Celiac. Celiac Disease is an immunity or severe allergy/allergen to gluten. When a celiac person consumes gluten their body will shut down and have an immune reaction in their small intestines, causing damage to the inner surface of the small intestine and an inability to absorb certain nutrients. Gluten is a protein usually found in breads, pizza, cake, cookies etc. Wheat, barley, rye and oats are also found in the gluten category and doctors strongly suggest to stay away from them. On December 24th, 2004 I was taken to the hospital because I woke up with an extremely high fever, swollen hands and feet, covered in a rash, vomiting, and unable to move. When I arrived at the E.R. they took many blood panels but still couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. They then transferred me to Dornbeckers hospital in Portland with hopes of diagnosing my illness. I stayed in a very nice room with a fancy bed that could move up and down! I also had my own t.v. and room service. Little did we know that every time I ordered a PB&J sandwich I was just hurting myself more. Every day the nurse came in and took my blood in each arm over 20 times.. (causing me to still have scars to this day.) After a week or so I had grown very week and sick, yet we still had no idea why?! One night the doctor delivered the news to my parents that they thought that I was going to die and they didn't know how to help me anymore. My mom and dad where horrified and extremely sad when my mom told them to take the food panel.. which of course involved getting more scars. After getting the results from the panel, they discovered that Gluten and Soy shot off the charts and my body was shutting down and dying. As soon as they found out they sent me home on a Gluten-Free diet. I was still sick and weak when I arrived home but I felt so much better than I did in the hospital! After two weeks on the diet I was almost normal again! :) my family and I's lives had changed forever because we now had to learn a new lifestyle. Every time we go to the store we have to read labels on foods, drinks, toothpastes etc. We rarely ever eat out because even with Gluten-Free foods there are chances of cross contamination and I never get to eat things I used to.
Some more facts about Celiac Disease:
*Although rare Celiac Disease can be fatal.(Like mine almost was.)
*Celiac can cause joint pains or growing pains.
*It can cause severe wait loss
*Stunted growth in children
*Malnutrition( Which I suffered from severely in the beginning.)
*Greater chance of getting cancer.
Although celiac has no cure an adjusted diet and different lifestyle can put you back on track! :)
If you have any questions about Celiac Disease or my personal experience feel free to ask me! :)
