May is Celiac Awareness Month: experts estimate 1/100 affected…. only 30% diagnosed

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – May is Celiac Awareness Month, and experts are asking you to help spread awareness and debunk misinformation about the gluten-sensitive disease.

For people with Celiac Disease, gluten damages the small intestine – the effects range from a mild stomach ache to hospitalization. 

The hereditary disease affects one in 100 people worldwide, but only about 30 percent are properly diagnosed.

Fortunately, a simple blood test can help determine if you have Celiac Disease.

Med Center Health Internal Medicine & Pediatric Physician Dr. Helen Carter says a lifestyle with Celiac disease has come a long way from previous decades. 

“There is research ongoing all the time as far as celiac disease. There’s a lot of options as far as foods that are gluten free now for people with celiac disease to make it a little bit easier to follow that diet.”

You can find out more information about Celiac or help donate to find the cure at celiac.org.