A large proportion of the 100,000 New Zealanders
estimated to be living with coeliac disease aren’t even
aware they have it.
That’s according to Coeliac New
Zealand who says many more Kiwis are living with the
autoimmune condition than are officially diagnosed due to
the nature of the often vague and wide-ranging symptoms, as
well as the barriers to diagnosis.
Coeliac disease
occurs when exposure to gluten, a protein found in wheat and
several other grains, triggers an immune response. This
reaction causes damage to the small intestine and can lead
to a wide range of symptoms but most commonly abdominal
pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and fatigue. If left untreated,
coeliac disease can lead to serious health issues, such as
osteoporosis and epilepsy.
It’s estimated that one
in 50 Kiwis have coeliac disease, but a significant number
of these cases remain undiagnosed.
As part of Coeliac
Awareness Week this year (12-18 June) Coeliac New Zealand is
calling on New Zealanders who may be at risk of having the
condition or who have symptoms, to speak to their doctor and
get tested. Those at high risk include people with a family
member (blood relative) with coeliac disease or an
autoimmune condition such as type 1 diabetes.*
Coeliac
NZ general manager Wendy Bremner says once coeliac disease
is diagnosed, following a strict gluten-free diet will
improve most problems related to gut malabsorption caused by
the disease. Ongoing issues like alopecia, dental defects,
mouth ulcers and infertility can be overcome because as the
gut heals, the absorption of nutrients
increases.
“Getting a diagnosis can be
life-changing,” says Mrs Bremner. “That is the important
first step before starting a gluten-free diet. That’s
because testing looks for antibodies that your body produces
when you eat gluten. If you are not eating gluten you will
not be producing antibodies so the results will come back
negative. Once diagnosed and gluten is eliminated, people
with the condition get a new lease on
life.”
Associate professor and public health
physician Kirsten Coppell, says that while the only
treatment for the disease is to avoid gluten currently, this
in itself can create a barrier to diagnosis that needs to be
overcome.
“Most people feel so much better following
a diagnosis and beginning a gluten-free diet. Getting a
diagnosis does require seeing a paediatrician or
gastroenterologist. Previously, it was recommended all
people suspected of having coeliac disease have a gut biopsy
as part of the diagnostic pathway, however, this is now no
longer required for children, but they must still see a
paediatrician”.
The theme of this year’s Coeliac
Awareness Week is “My Coeliac Challenge – Take Charge,
Get Diagnosed and Find Help.” As well as encouraging at
risk people to get tested, Coeliac New Zealand is raising
awareness of the daily challenges people living with the
condition face and the range of resources and support
available to help them live well.
One of the many
challenges faced by people with the coeliac disease is the
psychological impact of avoiding gluten in everyday
situations – including at home, at work, when eating out and
at school.
Coeliac NZ offers a variety of resources
and tools to support people with coeliac disease and their
whānau, from YouTube videos and webinars, to Wellness
Journals and kids’ clubs held in some regions around
Aotearoa. The organisation is also trialling buddy shopper
guides whereby an expert in shopping for gluten-free food
assists newly diagnosed people with their food
shop.
“The Crossed Grain logo is another helpful way
for people to find safe, gluten-free food when doing their
grocery shopping. Coeliac NZ reviews and approves food to
carry this internationally recognised logo.
“We also
run the Dining Out Programme and other gluten free
certifications for restaurants, cafes and caterers, training
staff on safe food preparation and providing an independent
endorsement to give people the confidence to eat out
safely,” Mrs Bremner says.
For more information
about Coeliac Awareness Week 2023, coeliac disease and
Coeliac NZ membership, visit www.coeliac.org.nz.
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