Gluten Intolerance No Longer Considered Rare

Tuesday, December 30, 2003

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Until recently, doctors thought that celiac disease — an intolerance of gluten (a protein in wheat and other grains) — was rare in the United States. That perception is changing. A recent Mayo Clinic study found a dramatic increase in the number of cases of this disorder. The group most affected is women in their 40s, 50s and 60s.

The January issue of the Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource details signs and symptoms of celiac disease including sporadic diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and foul-smelling or grayish stools. It's not uncommon for people with celiac disease to have symptoms for many years before a diagnosis is made because of the wide range of symptoms and the belief that the disease is rare.

Celiac disease is diagnosed by a blood test and confirmed by taking a tissue sample from the small intestine. Once diagnosed, it's important to eliminate gluten from the diet and avoid bread, pasta, cookies or anything containing wheat, barley or rye. After a few weeks on a gluten-free diet, you'll typically see improvement in symptoms.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Carol Lammers
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511(evenings)
email: newsbureau@mayo.edu

Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville
Erik Kaldor
904-953-2301

Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale
Anne Tewksbury
480-301-4368

Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please call 800-876-8633, extension 9PK1.

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