web analytics

Posts Tagged ‘celiac treatment’

Subscribe


Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

Home Genetic Testing for Celiac Disease

DNA-Man

DNA-Man

Celiac disease affects 1 in every 100 Americans, causing a variety of painful physical and mental symptoms, yet once it’s diagnosed, it can be easily treated with a change in diet, without even the administration of drugs. Unfortunately, it’s as difficult to diagnose as it is easy to treat. Why is that? Doctors don’t know very much about it, and so they don’t even think to test for it. Furthermore, conventional testing methods can often be inaccurate. However, now you can bypass a doctors visit and test yourself for the disease yourself with one-hundred-percent accurate DNA testing.

Celiac disease (also spelled coeliac) is an autoimmune disease caused by gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It is the only autoimmune disease not funded in its research and by the U.S. government. An estimated 3 million Americans have it and only three percent have been diagnosed. Left untreated, the disease can cause severe health conditions and complications such as anemia, osteoporosis, miscarriage, and even cancer.

Whereas doctors have been using intestinal biopsies and blood antibody tests, gluten sensitivity and celiac disease can both be tested for by using genetic testing. Not only may this be more convenient for those seeking a diagnosis, but it can be more accurate, as the conventional test can often have incorrect results.

How does it work? Genetic tests determine how a fraction of a person’s immune system reacts to gluten. On the other hand, in conventional blood tests, only the gluten found in wheat (gliadin) is measured. Gluten-sensitive and celiac people react differently to gluten, however, with a variety of symptoms, such as intestinal difficulties, migraines, mental problems, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue, and psoriasis, just to name a few. DNA testing is the only way to test for gluten intolerance with results that are one-hundred-percent accurate.

In the testing process, a test kit is mailed to one’s home which doesn’t require needles or drawing blood but only calls for cheek swabs. There is thus confidentiality maintained between a person and his insurance company. The results are also quickly returned with a simple positive or negative result, plus a helpful video available for download in the case that one’s results are positive. Additionally, families receive a discount when they purchase 2 or more kits.

Who should get tested? Anyone who has intestinal troubles, chronic fatigue, chronic anemia, skin disorders like eczema, psychological problems, child mental disorders like ADD or autism, diabetes, or any autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis.

As an author, researcher, and gluten-free advocate, I’m always on the lookout for ways to increase the number of American correctly diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. As awareness about gluten intolerance increases in the United States, I’m finding that more and more groups, companies, and individuals are committing themselves to serving the celiac community. The DNA home testing kit is one example of the groundbreaking innovation that’s possible and will surely lead to more diagnoses and less suffering among celiacs.

For more information, visit http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/genetic-testing-for-gluten-sensitivity.

Tina Turbin

http://www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

Share

If you would like permission to reprint informaton from this page, please contact me.

Add to FacebookAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to TwitterAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Yahoo BuzzAdd to Newsvine


Monday, July 26th, 2010

Gene Research May Lead To Celiac Drug Search

Studies on the genetic links to celiac disease are leading to more research and new and more effective treatment, an exciting prospect for celiacs who may want to enjoy some gluten now and then!

David van Heel, a gastrointestinal genetics professor at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, headed a group of researchers from around the world who studied the genetic maps of more than 9,400 celiacs. They have found what they term “substantial” evidence that the genes which are connected with celiac disease are also linked to other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

As a result, scientists are able to understand how the genetic risk factors for the disease operate—by changing the number of immune system genes that cells make. Furthermore, it is now understood that there are “hundreds” of genetic risk factors, which means that scientists should be able to “have a good guess at nearly half of the genetic risks at present,” van Heel wrote in the Nature Genetics journal in his published study.

We can look forward to more research, more awareness, and perhaps even a pill! Meanwhile, it’s best to keep doing our parts to raise awareness and funds for research.

Tina Turbin
www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

Share

If you would like permission to reprint informaton from this page, please contact me.

Add to FacebookAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to TwitterAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Yahoo BuzzAdd to Newsvine


Monday, July 12th, 2010

Easy Testing, Easy Treatment

    The celiac diagnosis isn’t difficult to test for. Simple blood tests detect the disease over ninety percent of the time. The diagnosis is then confirmed by an upper endoscopy; a small, flexible tube is slipped into the mouth of the sedated patient, down his esophagus and stomach and into the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum, where biopsies are taken and then examined for changes seen in celiac disease.

      Perhaps even easier than testing for diagnosis is the treatment of the disease—a gluten-free diet. It is challenging and requires a lifestyle change, but with more and more gluten-free substitutes and gluten-free recipes available, adopting a gluten-free diet and gluten free cooking is easier than ever. There’s research into developing a pill that would help people with celiac disease, as well. With such a simple treatment, there’s no reason to wait to get diagnosed because you can relieve yourself of your symptoms so easily.

 Tina Turbin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin
Share

If you would like permission to reprint informaton from this page, please contact me.

Add to FacebookAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to TwitterAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Yahoo BuzzAdd to Newsvine



Follow me on Twitter

Find me on Linked in Find me on Facebook

  • Categories

  • Tina Turbin

    About Me | see more

    Tina Turbin became extremely interested and involved in the subjects of gluten free, gluten sensitive and celiac disease a number of years ago as a result of...

    Follow Me!
    Bookmark and Share


    Grab a Button!

    Gluten Free Help Information

    Simply copy the code above and paste it into your website and help others become aware of Gluten Sensitivity.