Conditions

What can you do when you have Early Stage Parkinson's  Taking Control of Parkinson’s: Make a decision today to take control of your life with Parkinson’s. The key to living an optimally healthy, happy and fulfilling life is in your hands. Here are some pointers to help you take control. Acceptance: It is important that you accept that you have Parkinson’s. Then only will you be able to take control of it. Acceptance does not mean you’re “giving up” instead it is the first hurdle you must…

As the temperature plummets, asthma attacks and pneumonia cases rise. Family practitioner and paediatrician Dr Gita Mathai tells you why this is so and how to protect yourself.  Asthma What is asthma? Asthma refers to a condition that causes shortness of breath with a whistling sound from the chest. It is also called "reactive airway disease".  What causes asthma symptoms? The whistling sound is caused by the narrowing of the tubes through which the air passes…

Principles of gluten free diet include Avoid all foods made from wheat, rye and barley. (Examples: Cereals, Pasta, Breads, Crackers, Cakes, Pies, Cookies) Avoid oats because some oat preparations can be contaminated with wheat. Processed foods may contain gluten. Wheat flour is a common ingredient in many processed foods. Example: canned soups, salad dressing, ice cream, candy bars, instant coffee, luncheon meats and processed meats, ketchup, mustard, yoghurt, pasta. Beware of tablets,…

Treatment There is no cure for celiac disease. The only treatment is gluten-free diet. The disease severity will be varying depending on the patient’s immune response. Some patients can ingest small amounts of gluten without developing symptoms, while others experience massive diarrhoea with only minute amounts of gluten. Medication is not normally required, following a strict gluten free diet will greatly reduce the symptoms. Sometimes, the doctor may prescribe medications to manage the…

Can Celiac Disease be prevented? Celiac disease cannot be prevented. But if you have celiac disease, you can prevent the symptoms and damage to your small intestine by eating a gluten-free diet. For a gluten free diet, eat fuit, vegetables, meat, fish, seafood, legumes and nuts. Rice is gluten free and can be included in diet.   Read more in Celiac Disease Management section  

Complications of Celiac Disease: If celiac disease is left untreated, it can cause: Weight loss and failure to grow Anxiety and depression Anaemia due to iron deficiency and folic acid deficiency Osteoporosis or Rickets Loss of tooth enamel Intussusception (one part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part) Rectal prolapse Lymphoma of intestine and probably cancer of oesophagus  

In order to diagnose the condition, the doctor may suggest some of the following: Physical examination Blood tests – To measure levels of antibodies (IgA, IgG) and to detect nutritional deficiencies (iron levels) Stool sample – To detect fat in stool, since this disease prevents fat from being absorbed from food. The fat is excreted from the body. Biopsy – Tissue will be taken from the small intestine to check for damage to the villi. The doctor inserts an endoscope through the mouth and in to…

Symptoms  Digestive problems – Abdominal bloating, pain, gas, diarrhoea, pale stools and weight loss Dermatitis herpetiformis – Severe skin rash Iron deficiency anaemia – Low blood count Growth problems and failure to thrive Musculoskeletal problems – Bone and joint pains, muscle cramps Seizures Tingling sensation in the legs – Caused by low calcium levels and nerve damage  Apthous ulcers – Sores in the mouth Missed menstrual periods Digestive symptoms are more common in infants and…

Causes of celiac disease Normally, the body’s immune system is designed to protect it from foreign invaders. But when people with celiac disease eat foods containing gluten, their immune system forms antibodies to gluten, attacking the intestinal lining, causing inflammation in the intestine and damaging the villi (hair-like structures seen on the lining of the small intestine). If the villi are damaged, the person cannot absorb nutrients properly and ends up with malnourishment. Are you at…