The Axiom Of Responsibility
Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Taking Responsibility
For Themselves And Their Children

As you may have read in our latest post, I was recently diagnosed with Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) and thus also Celiac Disease (CD). I was completely shocked! It wasn't until I met someone with CD in my late teens that I even knew the condition existed, and when I went to my dermatologist for help with an extremely itchy rash that I'd had on my hands and legs for the past several months, I had not a clue that it could be related to gluten intolerance.

Magna Sententia includes taking responsibility for your health, and CD, especially if left untreated, can damage your body in a myriad of ways: CD greatly increases your risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and is also associated with Type I Diabetes, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Crohn's Disease, Osteoporosis, Anemia, Alopecia (hair loss), and Dental-Enamel Hypoplasia, just to name a few. Therefore, it is important for all people to be aware of CD ⁄ DH and make sure to get checked by a qualified health professional if they suspect they may be suffering from either of these disorders.

What Is Celiac Disease?

The following is taken from the Celiac Disease Foundation brochure "Celiac Disease":

Celiac Disease (CD) is a lifelong, digestive disorder affecting children and adults. When people with CD eat foods that contain gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed. Even small amounts of gluten in foods can affect those with CD and cause health problems. Damage can occur to the small bowel even when there are no symptoms present.

Gluten is the common name for the proteins in specific grains that are harmful to persons with Celiac Disease. These proteins are found in ALL forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einkorn and faro) and related grains rye, barley and triticale and MUST be eliminated.

"Classic" symptoms of CD are: "abdominal cramping, intestinal gas, distention and bloating, chronic diarrhea or constipation (or both), steatorrhea (fatty stools), anemia, weight loss with large appetite or weight gain," fatigue, anxiety, and depression.

CD is diagnosed through antibody blood tests, and "the only treatment is the lifelong adherence to the gluten-free diet."

What Is Dermatitis Herpetiformis?

The following is taken from the Celiac Disease Foundation brochure "Dermatitis Herpetiformis":

Dermatitis Herpetiformis is a skin manifestation of Celiac Disease. The skin lesions of Dermatitis Herpetiformis are intensely itchy. They typically begin as groups of red bumps, often with tiny blisters on the surface of the bumps, and commonly arise on skin around the elbows, knees, buttocks, back of the neck, and scalp.

"Dermatitis Herpetiformis" is a descriptive name for the disease because "dermatitis" means inflammation of skin as manifested by redness and "herpetiformis" means similar to herpes which shows clusters of lesions. The disease is not related to herpes virus infection at all. An American dermatologist, Louis Duhring, first described the disease in 1884, and, in the past, it was called Duhring's Disease.

The diagnosis is made by skin biopsy and blood testing.

Avoidance of all gluten is important to control the disease and prevent skin lesions from forming and to prevent the possible development of lymphoma. In addition to avoiding dietary gluten, medications may be used to help treat Dermatitis Herpetiformis. Two common medications are Dapsone and Sulfapyridine, both sulfa-based drugs.

Interesting Facts About Celiac Disease & Dermatitis Herpetiformis

• The University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research estimates that as many as 1 in 133 Americans has CD, making it one of the most common genetic diseases.
• CD is an autoimmune disease, not a food (wheat) allergy. Food allergies do not result in the body attacking itself and can improve with time; CD causes the immune system to attack the small intestine and is for life.
• Because the onset of CD requires the genetic predisposition, as well as an environmental stimulus ⁄ trigger (similar to the onset of schizophrenia), the onset of CD can occur at any age.
• Although anyone can get CD, it is more common in people of Northern European decent.
• It is speculated that CD is a result of humans going from a nomadic to an agrarian lifestyle and not being able to adequately evolve.
• All people with DH have CD, but only roughly 20 percent of those with CD have DH.
• Individuals with DH may or may not have classic symptoms of CD.
• Researchers believe that gluten can't pass through skin, so in general people with CD only need to worry about ingesting gluten. However, DH may be aggravated by hair products, lotions, cosmetics, etc. that contain gluten.
• Numbers of autistic children have improved on a gluten-free ⁄ casein-free diet. (Casein is the protein found in dairy products.)

Resources For Celiac Disease & Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Although I realize I have only scratched the surface of CD ⁄ DH, I have found a few resources to be immensely helpful: Living Gluten-Free For Dummies by Danna Korn, The Gluten-Free Gourmet Cooks Comfort Foods by Bette Hagman, and Celiac.com.

If you have any tips for me or would like to clarify or correct what I have found in my research, please feel free to contact us or make a comment. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Ellie Sherise
Co-Creator of Magna Sententia
Co-Author of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Disclaimer
Anna Sherise and Ellie Sherise are not licensed or trained healthcare professionals, counselors, or financial advisors. This article is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to take the place of the care and advice given to you by your physician, counselor, other healthcare professional, or financial advisor. Sherise Media LLC, its members and representatives, specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this article and/or website.