Celiac Disease Awareness: Approximately 400,000 Canadian Live With This Autoimmune Disorder Without Knowing It

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine. People with this disease may experience diarrhea, bloating, gas, anemia, and growth issues. Eating gluten-rich foods like grains, barley and wheat could trigger the disease.

May is Canada's Celiac Disease Awareness Month, while May 16th is the International Celiac Disease Awareness Day. Doctors advise people diagnosed with the disease and those undiagnosed ones but suffering symptoms to avoid gluten to help relieve the signs.

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Celiac Disease Awareness: Approximately 400,000 Canadian Living With This Autoimmune Disorder Without Knowing

Celiac Disease in Canada

Celiac disease organizations around the world have supported each other in light of the seriousness of the disease. Celiac Disease Awareness Month is a group effort celebrated not only in Canada but also in Europe and the United States. They aim to raise awareness of the disease across the globe and alleviate its symptoms.

According to the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, around 1% of Canada's population is affected by the disease and most cases are left undiagnosed. The condition is one of the most common digestive disorders and the number of cases has continued to rise.

Canada has recorded the greatest increase in incidence and prevalence, with 35% in the past decades. Unfortunately, as many as 400,000 of them live with celiac disease without knowing that they have the autoimmune disorder. These people usually report experiencing brain fog, tiredness, body aches, and other symptoms but are unaware of the disease, Globe Newswire reported.

Melissa Secord, the National Executive Director of the Canadian Celiac Association (CCA), said that celiac disease is sometimes referred to as chameleon disease because it can show in many different ways. Its symptoms are almost entirely different and unconnected to the digestive system.

Secord advises people to check their symptoms and immediately consult a healthcare provider to verify if they indeed have the disease.

ALSO READ: Eating More Gluten is Linked to a Child's Risk of Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease: Symptoms, Causes, and Risk Factors

Celiac disease could be triggered by eating gluten-rich food as the immune system mistakenly attack it as a response. The reaction damages the small intestine lining and prevents it from absorbing the proper nutrition.

Below are the risk factors for developing celiac disease, according to Mayo Clinic:

Autoimmune thyroid disease
Addison's Disease
Family history of celiac disease or dermatitis hhepetiformis
Microscopic colitis
Type 1 diabetes
Down syndrome or Turner syndrome

Genes are a major contributor to the increased risk of celiac disease, so it is advisable for people with a family history of the disease to avoid gluten and other factors that contribute to celiac disease. It can sometimes become active after pregnancy, surgery, childbirth, viral infection, and severe emotional stress.

If left untreated, celiac disease could lead to malnutrition because the small intestine has failed to absorb nutrients. Also, it could cause bone weakening, infertility and miscarriage, lactose intolerance, cancer, and problems in the nervous system as it could cause seizures.