Its no Joke Glutten Free is the Way to go for Diabetics. Why?

When I was about 27 years old I became very sick and didn't understand why.  I was losing weight despite that I was pregnant with my daughter.  I couldn't keep food down and of course I was having some intestinal issues as well.  I ended up in the hospital prior to her birth and they began doing some checking when they discove red I had Celiac Disease.  Doctor says to me that I can no longer have things made with wheat, rye, barley.  My heart sunk.  I was trying to figure out what was next for me to eat.

I wasn't really sure about what it is that causes Celiac Disease and how it worked in my body.  I will give you an explanation on what it is exactly and show you how it works in your body.  I will also be writing about the links between Celiac Disease and Diabetes.   

Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food.




When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging or destroying villi—the tiny, fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine. Villi normally allow nutrients from food to be absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, no matter how much food one eats.

Source:  http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/#what

Celiac disease is genetic, meaning it runs in families. Sometimes the disease is triggered—or becomes active for the first time—after surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infection, or severe emotional stress. 

It is considered a Malabsorption problem.  Nutrients are not able to be absorbed by the intestines through the villi so our bodies can be healthy. 


Adults are less likely to have digestive symptoms and may instead have one or more of the following:

• unexplained iron-deficiency anemia
• fatigue
• bone or joint pain
• arthritis
• bone loss or osteoporosis
• depression or anxiety
• tingling numbness in the hands and feet
• seizures
• missed menstrual periods
• infertility or recurrent miscarriage
• canker sores inside the mouth
• an itchy skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis

You may develope these other types of Disease or have one or more of these other Diseases:

• type 1 diabetes
• autoimmune thyroid disease
• autoimmune liver disease
• rheumatoid arthritis
• Addison's disease, a condition in which the glands that produce critical hormones are damaged
• Sjögren's syndrome, a condition in which the glands that produce tears and saliva are destroyed

These diseases often go hand in hand and are usually related to not having good or healthy nutrition from Celiac Disease and its Malabsorption problems.
 http://www.eatright.org  use this link for a complete guide to eat a healthy gluten free diet.

Now that we have a better understanding of what the cause and symptoms are how does it relate to you and me as Diabetics.  It seems it is more apt to be a disease that can often go hand in hand with type 1 Diabetes.  It is often diagnosed in children with Diabetes.  Here is what one article states about that.

Evidence of Celiac disease is present in a high percentage of children at the time of diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, and these individuals typically develop Celiac disease within 4 years of their diabetes diagnosis. In contrast, autoimmune thyroid disease typically follows the diagnosis of diabetes by an average of 10 years. Thus, screening for Celiac disease should be considered early in young individuals with diabetes, whereas screening for thyroid disease should be considered for decades after diabetes diagnosis.

Source:  http://clinical.diabetesjournals.org/content/26/2/85.full

There is no real answer at this time if it is a precursor to Type 2 Diabetes, but the studies are still continued in answers about Celiac Disease and the affects on the body.  I am wondering at this point if I was not a Diabetic possibly  type 1 When I was a young girl told that I was Borderline Diabetic at the age of  11.  I suggest that if you have been told this at a young age you should follow up with your physician as an Adult and let them know of all your juvenile health issues. 

There are things that if you are being diagnosed with them as adults can loop back to a possible diagnosis as a juvenile that may have been missed.  It really hasn't been until recently that they have got better tests to diagnose Celiac Disease and Diabetes has come along way from 20 or 30 years ago. 

Always consult with your health care professional if you notice things that become different to you.  Make notes and keep track of issues. 

I hope this article has helped you in understanding Celiac Disease.  There are many products out there now that are Gluten Free.  There are many recipe sites for those who will be cooking Gluten free.  Type Gluten Free Recipes into your browser and go from there the possibilities are endless.

Here is to you all and your quest to be healthier better informed Diabetics.  If you have any questions or idea's for a blog and if you just want to communicate with me connect at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com

Blah, Blah, Blah...Depression and Diabetes

I hate those days when I just feel really down in the dumps.  I wake and say hurray its another day.  I don't always mean that.  I feel like since I have had Diabetes that Depression can plague me quite often, probably not every single day but enough that it becomes bothersome. 

Its really hard to know what to do about it because I was told that my sugar could be causing it.  I was told that by so many people including a couple of doctors.  When I asked how I really got a vague explanation so I of course want to know more.  What I have found I am sharing with you.  Maybe together we can understand this plight of Depression and Diabetes.

I was amazed to find out that most people with Diabetes do not have Depression.  However being a Diabetic we have a much greater risk of having it because of our Diabetes.  They say that there is no easy answer as to why this is true. 

They say that a few of the factors could be that managing Diabetes is a daunting task and it takes so much extra work that we could find ourselves set apart from our friends who don't have it.  Complications such a nerve damage, not being able to keep your blood sugar managed could cause stress and tension between you and your health care providers. Feeling like you cant get your Diabetes under control can cause worry and depression. 

Depression can spiral into a vicious cycle.  It can cause you to not manage your Diabetes carefully, missing meals, over eating, self care, loss of energy and even being anxious or having anxiety.  Lack of sleep and maybe sleeping all the time lack of exercise. 

Here are some Signs and Symptoms of Depression:

1.  Loss of Pleasure.  You no longer take interest in doing the things that brought you pleasure before. 
2.  Early to Rise.  You no longer sleep you wake up and can not go back to sleep. 
3.  Change in Appetite.  You eat more or less then you usually do which leads to rapid weight gain or
     weight loss.
4.  Trouble Concentrating.  You cant watch T.V., Visit, Read, Do Crafts or Work without other
     thoughts getting in the way.
5.  Loss of Energy.  You feel tired all of the time.
6.  Guilt.  You feel you cant do anything right or that you are a burden to others.
7.  Morning Sadness.  You feel worse in the morning than any other time of the day.
8.  Suicidal Thoughts.  Wanting to end your life or thinking of ways to do self harm.
If you have three or more of these symptoms, or if you have just one or two but have been feeling bad for two weeks or more, it's time to get help.
Source:  http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/mental-health/depression.html

Sometimes other things can be the cause of why you might be feeling some of these things like medication side affects, Thyroid issues, or maybe a drug or alcohol issue.  Always talk to your doctor if you are feeling any of these signs or symptoms.  Your doctor can help see you through it.  There is always the Suicide Prevention lines as well to use. Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Causes underlying the association between depression and diabetes are unclear. Depression may develop because of stress but also may result from the metabolic effects of diabetes on the brain. Studies suggest that people with diabetes who have a history of depression are more likely to develop diabetic complications than those without depression. People who suffer from both diabetes and depression tend to have higher health care costs in primary care. Source: http://psychcentral.com/lib/diabetes-and-depression/0001380

This is a very good site to help with the recovery from Depression.  It is a self help site.  It can be hard but will be much worth the effort if you can bring yourself out of your depression a small step at a time. 
Source:  http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_tips.htm

• The road to recovery
• Supportive relationships
• Negative thinking
• Taking care of yourself
• Exercise
• Healthy diet
• Getting additional help

Dealing with Diabetes and its complications are never easy.  It can be a struggle daily just to get up out of bed and many times I even hear myself saying Why Bother.  I find the bother just isn't about my life but about my family and my friends as well.  It is hard, but we can do it if we stick together as a Diabetic community and Caregivers of those that are Diabetic.

If you have any information you wish to share, a blog you wish to write or just would like to chat contact me at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com.