Celiac Disease is an inherited, auto-immune disorder that affects 1 in 133 people in America. If you have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, more than likely, you inherited the disease from an immediate family member. When you doctor discusses your diagnosis, your doctor may ask you about your family's medical history of Celiac Disease. If you are unsure, you must discuss your family's history with your family.
Since the disease is hereditary, it is essential to encourage your family members to get tested for the Celiac gene. Early detection can help nip the disease in the bud, before the disease is followed by life-threatening complications. The longer you wait to be tested and diagnosed, the more damage is being done to your small intestine, making your body susceptible to illness. Undiagnosed Celiac Disease can cause dangerous complications, such as: Osteoporosis, Cancer, and infertility in women.
When I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, two years ago, I encouraged my father to get tested for the gene. To this day, he has not gone to the doctor to be tested for the gene. I'm going to keep encouraging the rest of my family, including my father, until they give in and get tested.
I encourage all my Celiac brothers and sisters, to encourage their family members to be tested for the gene. You never know, you could be saving their life! Trust me, if they have the gene, they will thank you for encouraging them to be tested.
(photo courtesy of: http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/illustrations/pedigree.jpg)
