Health news and facts compiled by the Meriden Public Library May 2017

Health Beat

Tips for Eating Out

If You Have

Celiac Disease

Select a restaurant. Be careful in restaurants where language may create a communications problem. Call the restaurant before you go to discuss your meal options and whether they can accommodate them.

Dine early or late so that your server has time to help you.

Explain your dietary restrictions briefly. Medic alert bracelets help to show the seriousness of your diet.

Ask detailed questions about foods and preparation.

Have your food prepared on a clean cooking surface, with clean utensils. Make sure breaded or gluten-containing foods have not been cooked on the surface beforehand.

Confirm your order before eating.

Thank your food server. Leave a generous tip for good service.

—Gluten Intolerance Group

C eliac disease is an immune disease in which people can't eat gluten because it

will damage their small in-testine. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. It is found mainly in foods but may also be in other prod-ucts like medi-cines, vitamins and supple-ments, lip balm, and even the glue on stamps and envelopes. Celiac disease affects each person differently. Symp-toms may occur in the diges-tive system or in other parts of the body. One person might have di-arrhea and abdominal pain, while another person may be irritable or depressed. Irritability is one of the most common symptoms in children. Other people might have a change in mood, weight loss or a very itchy skin rash with blisters. Some people have no symptoms. Celiac disease is genetic. Blood tests can help your

doctor diagnose the disease. Your doctor may also need to examine a small piece of tissue from your intestine. Doctors in the United Stat-ed do not routinely screen people for celiac disease. Doctors treat celiac disease by prescribing a gluten-free

diet. Symptoms significantly improve for most people with celiac disease who fol-low a gluten-free diet. A dietitian can teach you how to avoid gluten while following a healthy diet. The National Institutes of Health conduct and support basic and clinical research into many digestive disor-ders. To learn if there is a trial that might help you, go to www.nih.gov/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you

—National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Signs of Celiac Disease Vary From Stomach Pain to Irritability

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