GOT CELIAC? STILL??

Most Americans with celiac sprue have not yet been diagnosed. They're out there among us—possibly experiencing any number or combination of symptoms such as fatigue, anemia, heartburn, osteoporosis, skin conditions, and gastrointestinal problems—perhaps not even suspecting that their health could improve dramatically on a gluten-free diet.

The good news is that, the more that people are aware of the condition, the more likely doctors will be to suspect it, test for it, and treat it.

Also out there is a subset of people who have been diagnosed and successfully put on a gluten-free diet but later told by a physician that they could then eat gluten safely. It seems that this was a trend among doctors who mistakenly thought that celiac sprue was an "infant disease" that permanently subsided after the patient went on a gluten-free diet. Regardless of how healthy they feel today, those misinformed people should consult with an informed physician who can investigate the validity of the original diagnosis, because celiac sprue remains a lifetime condition, whether or not symptoms are apparent.

I've put together a nifty video on the subject—with Bob Dylan's help! Check it out—if you experience technical difficulties, just try again later.