Coeliac Awareness Week May 9th To May 15th.

From yesterday May 9th to May 15th is Coeliac Awareness Week.
Every day this week the Coeliac Society of Ireland will host a number of free online events. This year the events focus on the psychological impact of living with coeliac disease and gluten intolerance. Webinars will explore gluten-free cooking, wellbeing, mental and physical health challenges, as well as advice on nutrition and sleep. To register for free and to view more details about the schedule of events click HERE.

What is Coeliac Disease?

Coeliac disease is a condition where a person is intolerant to the gluten protein found in wheat, barley, rye and oats. Gluten is therefore found in foods made from these ingredients, including breads, pasta, cakes and many processed foods.

Coeliac disease is an auto-immune disease which means that your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body. When a person with coeliac disease eats gluten, the lining of the small intestine is damaged which in turn stops the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.

There is no cure for coeliac disease but a gluten free diet keeps the condition under control. If left undiagnosed however, the condition can result in osteoporosis, anaemia, infertility and some types of cancer.

Symptoms of coeliac disease can range from mild to severe and may include diarrhoea, bloating, abdominal pain, weight loss and malnutrition. It is not certain what causes coeliac disease but it is thought to be some combination of genetic and environmental factors.

It is believed that the condition effects 1 in every 100 people, with an estimated 50,000 people living with coeliac disease in Ireland and a further 400,000 living with gluten intolerance.

If you have any concerns about your health and coeliac disease or gluten intolerance, please contact your GP.