Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks the small intestine when gluten is ingested. Gluten contains wheat, barley and rye. It has been about eight and a half years since I was first diagnosed with Celiac disease, and in that time, I have faced struggles like the cost of food, failure to gain weight and social isolation.
Gluten-free foods are ridiculously overpriced and make it significantly harder for those suffering with Celiac to afford groceries and feed themselves. A recent study shows that gluten-free cereals, snacks and other various groceries can be up to 139 percent more expensive than the ones containing gluten. Some foods, such as breads and pastas, are even more than this.
The struggle to gain weight is another difficulty of living with Celiac disease. For me, since I lived a majority of my life not knowing I had Celiac, my small intestine is damaged and struggles to absorb nutrients from foods that would help with weight gain. Even those who were diagnosed shortly after birth struggle with gaining weight due to the lack of nutrients and carbs in gluten-free foods.
Social isolation affects the mental state of those with Celiac disease, and often makes them feel like a burden for their special requirements. I know for me, it always sucks asking people outside of my immediate family to clean down their surfaces and swap out ingredients. The fear of cross-contamination and getting sick sometimes causes those who suffer from Celiac disease to be extra paranoid in social settings.
All in all, Celiac disease has had many straining effects on my life and those of others who have it. Just recently, I’ve also been tested for Hashimoto’s disease, which is common for those with Celiac disease. A diagnosis of this could result in daily medication, thyroid strain, brittle bones, and other negative sanctions to add onto the already large pile.