What Other Related Conditions Are There?

Many related medical problems should also benefit by adopting a gluten-free diet. Always remember to consult your physician before adopting a gluten free diet. Never self-diagnose.

- Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH). This is a chronic skin condition, which is another form of celiac disease. It is characterised by an itchy, burning, blistering skin rash. The rash has a symmetrical distribution and is most frequently found on elbows, knees, upper back, neck and buttocks.

A small bowel biopsy of a person with DH will show the identical intestinal damage as seen in celiac disease. However, the symptoms experienced are less severe.

Often, persons with DH have no bowel complaints. DH patients can have gastro-intestinal damage without perceptible symptoms.

- Genetic factors, the immune system, and sensitivity to gluten, play a role in this disorder. The precise details remain unknown. Diagnosis is obtained by a skin biopsy from a lesion.

- Type 1 Diabetes

- Thyroid Disease

- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

- IgA Nephropathy & IgA Deficiency

- Autism

- ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)

- Rheumatoid arthritis

For more information and a complete step by step action plan to help deal with celiac disease and living gluten free, visit: www.AGlutenFreeLife.com