Celiac disease, an autoimmune disease set off by gluten, used to be thought to be 1:2000 to 1:1000 people. The University of Maryland School of Medicine is doing a prevalence study (i.e. determining how many people could have this disease). Their early numbers are shocking to kids and adults alike. Take a look!

Terms:

Gluten -- a protein commonly found in wheat, barley, rye, and spelt. Hidden in foods under names like "natural flavors," "modified food starch," "texurized vegetable protein, TVP," "maltodextrin," and "malted flavorings or colorings."

Autoimmune disease -- a disease that occurs when a person's immune system attacks your own body. Different diseases attack different parts of a person's body. In celiac disease, the auto-antibodies set off by gluten, attack the small bowel, cause destruction, and malabsorption of important nutrients.

Celiac disease -- symptoms include diarrhea, chronic fatigue, headaches, bone and muscle pains, poor concentration, abdominal pain, heart burn, weight loss/gain, shorter height, 40 to 100 times increase in bowel cancers. Also constipation, behavioral changes (in youth delinquent changes), infertility, depression, and increased pregnancy complications.

For more information on prevalence and diagnosis/treatment go to

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This information is important to all of us. If you are a parent, you should ask "do I have celiac, did any of my relatives have it, what are the chances my children could have it?" If you work with children you should ask "what symptoms could my kids be showing that might be related to celiac disease?"

It is important that we ferret out this issue in our families because this disease is common and has many implications for all ages, not the least of which is the increase cancer risk. Thankfully, this risk drops to normal levels after someone is gluten free for 5 years. Needless to say, though you and your loved ones can be saved a lot of hardship if the diagnosis is made early and the individual is placed on a gluten free diet.

Of course, everything changes for the better once a person is identified and treated, but there are some difficult changes. One change that may hit home is taking communion. All wafers contain gluten unless made otherwise. Most modern day churches will accommodate you once you tell them your condition. However, in liturgical churches such as the Catholic and Episcopal Churches, it may more difficult. For many years a debate waged between Celiac patients and archbishops. Some churches will offer gluten free hosts, others will not.

Most importantly, if celiac is a reality in your world, don't lose hope. You are not alone. Hook up with support groups, find doctors that know about celiac, visit the above websites, AND don't forget your GOD.

Jesus was a man of pain and suffering. He knows what you are going through and wants to be in the midst of your pain, confusion, fears, and questions. You can trust HIM with yourself. Ask HIM for healing.

It may come in physical, spiritual, or mental healing but it will come. Some have "thorns in the flesh" as Paul, but remember Paul's mental and spiritual healing was complete.