National Celiac Disease Awareness Day is observed annually on 13th September in the United States and this day aims to raise awareness about the celiac disease which affects about 3 million Americans.
But, what is celiac disease?
Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disorder in which a person who suffers from this affliction can’t consume gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.
During this disease, the afflicted person’s immune system responds by attacking the small intestine and inhibiting the absorption of important nutrients. Left undiagnosed or untreated, celiac disease can lead to other disorders, including cancer, osteoporosis and infertility.
| Event | National Celiac Disease Awareness Day |
|---|---|
| Date | September 13, 2022 |
| Day | Tuesday |
| Significance | Increases public knowledge of the Celiac disease |
| Observed by | United States |
National Celiac Disease Awareness Day History:
The Greek physician, Aretaeus, gave one of the first descriptions of celiac disease in 100 A.D. during which the doctor called it as ," koiliakos," an abdominal infection.
However, the cause behind this disease wasn't discovered for a long time until the 20th century and that's why there was no cure have for a very long time of the human history and thus the people continued to suffer from this disease for a very long time with taking all the pain and suffering without any proper treatment.
The pediatrician Samuel Gee gave the first modern-day description of the condition in children in a lecture at Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London, in 1887. Gee, acknowledged earlier descriptions and terms for the disease and adopted the same term as Aretaeus (coeliac disease). He then perceptively stated that "If the patient can be cured at all, it must be by means of diet."
Then Christian Archibald Herter, an American physician, wrote a book in 1908 on children with celiac disease, which he called "intestinal infantilism".
Finally, the link with the gluten component of wheat with this celiac disease was made in 1952 by a team of scientists from Birmingham, England. And this event was marked as a breakthrough towards the treatment of this celiac disease and this made treatment available for the people suffering with this disease, so it was very revolutionary.
National Celiac Disease Awareness Day Importance:
The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center estimates that about 97 percent of celiac cases go undiagnosed in the U.S., leaving many people to suffer needlessly. And this happens primarily because of the lack of awareness regarding the disease, and that's why it is very important that everyone can be aware about this disease and its implications.
The classic symptoms of untreated celiac disease include pale, loose, or greasy stools (steatorrhoea), and weight loss or failure to gain weight. Other common symptoms may be subtle or primarily occur in organs other than the bowel itself. It is also possible to have celiac disease without any of the classic symptoms at all, and this mostly happens with children of small ages.
The only known effective treatment for this disease is a strict lifelong gluten-free diet, which leads to recovery of the intestinal lining (mucous membrane), improves symptoms, and reduces the risk of developing complications in most people.
And the treatment regarding this disease is very important as if it remains untreated then it can cause serious damages to the patient body's and health. As on being undiagnosed or untreated, the celiac disease can lead to other much more dangerous and harmful disorders like cancers such as intestinal lymphoma, osteoporosis and infertility. And this can even lead to an early death of the patient.
National Celiac Disease Awareness Day Activities:
As said earlier that many few people are actually aware of this celiac disease and that's why even after facing problems they continues consuming those products which contains gluten. And this can lead to many implications. So if you know someone who suffers from such symptoms like of celiac disease, then advise him to go for a check-up and also asks him to take a gluten-free diet only.
If you yourself is suffering from celiac disease then try to be extra careful as many food items like soups, salad dressings and soy sauce can unexpectedly contain gluten. If you're eating out, don't be afraid to ask if a food contains gluten or not, after all it is all about your health.
This is always good advice, whether you are suffering from celiac disease or not. One of the best ways to monitor our health is to monitor what we put in our bodies. So always look out for labels whenever you are purchasing anything.
At last don't forget to raise awareness regarding this disease to all of your friends and relatives so that everyone can be aware about this disease and you can easily do it by sharing posts like these.
Most Searched FAQs on National Celiac Disease Awareness Day:
1. When is National Celiac Disease Awareness Day is observed?
National Celiac Disease Awareness Day is observed annually on 13th September in US.
2. What are the symptoms of celiac disease?
Some of the most common symptoms of celiac disease includes weight loss, abdominal pain, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
3. What foods trigger celiac disease?
If you have celiac disease, you will no longer be able to eat foods that contain any barley, rye or wheat, which are all loaded with gluten.