Currently there is no cure for Coeliac Disease. This condition is a considered a long-term chronic illness. You can dramatically reduce your symptoms and heal any gut damage caused by the disease by following a gluten-free diet. There is currently ongoing research, which is aiming to develop a vaccine for Coeliac Disease.
CONSERVATIVE TREATMENTS
Gluten-Free Diet
Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, rye and barley so it is important to avoid eating any foods that contain those ingredients. Some people who have Coeliac Disease can also have a sensitivity to oats as well so if you find that your symptoms don’t improve in can be worth cutting oats from your diet too.
It is also important to avoid cross-contamination as even small amounts of gluten can be damaging to your digestive system. Some steps you can take to avoid this are keeping cooking utensils separate during food preparation and cooking, use separate chopping and bread boards, have separate condiments such as jams, marmalades, butter and sauces, use separate grill racks (preferably the top to avoid food from dripping down) and invest in toaster bags to avoid crumbs from other breads coming into contact with yours.
There is now a good variety of gluten-free products available that can be purchased at most supermarkets. You can usually find these in the ‘free from’ aisles
Some people will find that their symptoms start to improve after a few days, for others the process may take a little longer and take several weeks or even months. It is important to persevere with the diet in order to improve your health.
It’s important to speak to your healthcare practitioner or GP before making changes like this to your diet – and if you need support, Coeliac UK have lots of information on living gluten free to help you manage your diet and condition.
Further information
More information and downloads can be found in the Resources section.
Living with a bladder or bowel condition or caring for someone with a bladder and bowel condition can affect you emotionally and socially; sometimes it can help to speak to others who understand your situation.
We run a closed Facebook Group for community support – the Bladder & Bowel Community Support Group is available 24 hours today and will allow you to connect with those who share your condition. This forum is moderated by admins for the safety of all members. Start your own topic today or just follow one that interests you.
