There is no cure for Celiac disease, and the only medically accepted treatment is a 100 percent gluten-free diet. Celiac disease is not a food allergy, but an inherited, autoimmune disease which damages the lining of the small intestine when gluten is ingested. Gluten can be found in many common food items, including breads, cakes, candy, cereal, condiments, cookies, pasta, pizza, pretzels and soups.

A person with Celiac disease may experience intermittent diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, upset stomach, irritability, depression, joint pain, muscle cramps, fatigue or anemia. These symptoms resemble several other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, gastric ulcers and Crohn’s disease, and therefore, a Celiac patient can go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years.

To find out more about symptoms and diagnosis of Celiac disease, see our previous blog post, Going Gluten-Free.

As awareness is raised and more people are diagnosed, the Celiac community is growing ,and more gluten-free products are appearing on the shelves. Through the raised awareness of the disease, a gluten-free diet is becoming easier and more convenient. For a list of gluten-free products and dietary tips, see our earlier post, How to be Worry Free about Gluten-Free.

If you’ve had a friend or family-member receive a diagnosis of Celiac disease, you know it means a complete lifestyle change. Help support Americans living with Celiac disease by raising awareness today on National Celiac Disease Awareness Day. The better informed people are about Celiac disease, the better we as doctors can diagnose and help people manage the disease.

Symptoms of IBS include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal cramps and bloating. For some people, symptoms are mild; many don’t even seek treatment for the condition. For others it can be very distressing and make it difficult to carry on normal daily activities.

Though the specific cause is unknown, many attribute the condition to stress. It is not unusual for people to respond to stress with some sort of physical reaction, often centering in the gastrointestinal system. With IBS, the muscles of the intestines don’t move as they should. And this “gut” reaction to stress can be annoying, uncomfortable and even painful.

When someone complains of these symptoms, the first thing we do is rule out other underlying causes such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or cancers of the colon. The absence of another disease can indicate that the problem is IBS.

The most important thing to remember is that though it can be uncomfortable, it is definitely not serious and does not lead to more dangerous diseases. Even so, the symptoms should not be ignored. While there is no precise cure for IBS, a modified diet, lifestyle changes and medications can alleviate the pain and discomfort and help those with the condition lead a more normal life.

Dietary changes can be effective, especially when specific foods that provoke the symptoms are eliminated. For example, increasing dietary fiber and avoiding items that stimulate the intestines such as caffeine may stop chronic diarrhea. Lifestyle changes including regular exercise and improved sleep have also been shown to reduce anxiety and relieve symptoms.

When diet and lifestyle changes produce no improvement, there are some medications such as smooth (intestinal) muscle relaxers and low-dose antidepressants that may help relieve intestinal pain.

There is no single solution for IBS, since the condition affects each person differently. And there is no surgical remedy.

However, there’s no need to live with chronic diarrhea, constipation and pain. Consult a physician and see what you can do to help you get your intestinal tract back on track.