This year Coeliac Awareness Week takes place from the 18th to the 24th May.
What is Coeliac Disease?
Coeliac Disease is a lifelong autoimmune condition, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In Coeliac Disease the immune system mistakes substances found inside gluten as a threat to the body and attacks them. This can trigger a number of painful, horrible, stressful and uncomfortable symptoms.
In the UK it's estimated that 1 in 100 people have the condition.
Living a gluten free life
I was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease 18 years ago. And so began my journey into the gluten free world.
Having suffered from a range of symptoms for around ten years I finally received a positive diagnosis of Coeliac Disease following some 'interesting' and in-depth tests and procedures in 2008. It came as a relief to finally have a name for the mysterious cause of my illnesses and ailments, but at the time I was only given a brief summary and told that I'd have to "cut down on bread and beer". It was only later when I met with a Gastroenterologist and a dietitian that I found out that the only treatment for people with Coeliac Disease is a strict, life-long gluten free diet.
While having a life-long condition such as Coeliac Disease can be a pain - and horrible if I 'get glutened' - having the disease has had some positives. I've met great people since my diagnosis and have made some brilliant friends who I've met through Coeliac groups. I've also blogged a lot about living with the condition and the great Free From food & drink I've found since 2008.
For more information on Coeliac Disease visit the NHS Choices and Coeliac UK websites.
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.jpg "Inflatable Axe Throwing on the Outdoor Professional Products stand at The National Outdoor Expo")
.png "Christopher Gottfried from Outdoor Professional Products playing inflatable axe throwing at The National Outdoor Expo")
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.png "Christopher Gottfried from Outdoor Professional Products playing inflatable axe throwing at The National Outdoor Expo")
