VANCOUVER -- If you have celiac disease, you're much more likely to have osteoporosis and vice-versa. Celiac disease is an inherited digestive disorder, brought on by an abnormal immune reaction to gluten, the protein found in wheat, barley and rye. But this disease doesn't always present in the same way, so some people who have it don't know it and this can be very detrimental to their bones.
HEATHER ISACCS HAS CELIAC DISEASE AND OSTEOPOROSIS, SAYS:, "WE JUST TOOK EVERYTHING THAT HAD WHEAT OUT OF THE HOUSE."
For Heather Isaacs, the diagnosis of celiac disease came later in life.
HEATHER ISAACS, SAYS. "I WAS IN MY 50'S AND I GOT VERY ILL WITH NAUSEA, VOMITTING AND STOMACH PAINS AND ALL THE REST OF IT. AND I HAD TO GO INTO EMERGENCY AND WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS OFF AND ON AND THEY COULDN'T DECIDE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME."
Once diagnosed, she cut gluten from her diet, and then after reading more about her condition she asked her doctor for a bone density test. The results came back: severe osteoporosis of the spine.
HEATHER SAYS, "I'VE ALWAYS FAIRLY FIT AND ACTIVE, AND CERTAINLY SINCE I WAS DIAGNOSED HAD THE RIGHT DIET, ATE A LOT OF CALCIUM, BUT THE DAMAGE HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE THOUGH MY YOUTH."
The lining of the small intestine or bowel is normally filled with tiny finger-like projections called villi to help digest and absorb food. But in someone with celiac disease, these villi get flattened by the inflammatory reaction to gluten.
DR. SIMON HUANG, RHEUMATOLOGIST, SAYS, "WHEN YOU HAVE CELIAC DISEASE YOU DON'T ABSORB CALCIUM OR VITAMIN D AS A RESULT YOU CAN'T FORM BONE AS WELL. THE OTHER POSSIBILITY EXPORED SAME INFLAMMAION REABSORPTION OF BONE.
But some of the damage can be reversed.
DR. SIMON HUANG SAYS, "EVEN IF YOU ARE DIAGNOSED LATE, WHEN ADVANCED OSTEO.. BONE STILL HAS THE CAPACITY TO BUILD UP MORE BONE AS LONG AS THE VILLI ARE RETURNED TO NORMAL."
Heather has increased her calcium and vitamin D. She's also takes bone-building drugs and is doing a lot more weight-bearing exercises.
HEATHER SAYS, "ANY DAMAGE THAT HAS BEEN DONE HAS BEEN DONE AND YOU HAVE TO WORK ON THAT, BUT YOU PROBABLY HAVE THE HEALTHIEST DIET YOU CAN EVER HAVE."
Heather's daughter has since been diagnosed with celiac disease. Her only symptom was anemia. If you do have celiac disease some doctors say you should be tested for osteoporosis, especially if you are over 50. If you're wondering, celiac disease can be diagnosed with a simple blood test but a bowel biopsy is seen as the best confirmation. For more information, you can contact the Canadian National Celiac Association at 604-736-2229 or email ccavancouver@canada.com.
Monday February 13, 2006
