THE DISABILITY EXPERIENCE CONFERENCE The Severity and

Reality of Being Gluten Free

By: Dhanalakshmi Thiyagarajan

COMMON FOOD ALLERGIES• 15 million Americans are

affected [1]• Reaction: mild response like

itchiness to anaphylaxis [2]• Allergies are commonly

understood by general public

OVERVIEW OF CELIAC DISEASE• Autoimmune digestive disease

[3]• Triggered by consumption of

gluten [3]• Protein found in wheat, rye and

barley• ONLY Treatment is maintaining a

gluten free diet• Damages small intestine’s villi

[3]

COMPLICATIONS OF CELIAC DISEASE • Common symptoms: over 300 symptoms

including stomach pain, fatigue, itchy skin rash, bowel movement issues, etc. [3]

• Long-term complications: depression, type 1 diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer any other autoimmune disease, etc. [3]

• High risk patients: have an autoimmune disease, has a immediate family member with Celiac Disease

SOCIETAL UNDERSTANDING OF CELIAC DISEASE

• Fad or weight-losing scheme• Daunting consequences for those

medically eating gluten free• Restaurants• Family/Friends• Doctors• Schools – Disability Act 504 [2]• 83% of the population are

undiagnosed or misdiagnosed[3]

CHANGE• Celiac Disease is as dangerous as a

food allergy• Symptoms last a couple days to a couple of

weeks• Long-term complications last life-long• Emotional stress• Society must understand the severity

and reality of being gluten free.

MY GOALS• Awareness of Celiac Disease and

gluten free diets• Aid those who are gluten free• Promote safe gluten free options• Understand misconceptions about

gluten free and Celiac Disease

GLUTEN FREE MY CAMPUS• Founded an

organization on University of Pittsburgh’s (UPitt’s) campus

• Have events to promote awareness, give support and get safe gluten free options

INVOLVEMENT WITH NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS• Udi’s Gluten Free Foods•College Ambassador • National Foundation for Celiac

Awareness (NFCA) •College Team

RESEARCH PROJECT • Diet Adherence in Diagnosed

Celiac Disease Patients• Testing Reluctance in High-Risk

Patients

MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE NOT ENOUGH

• Education thousands of people about Celiac Disease

• Every UPitt dining facility has at least one safe gluten free option

• Several local restaurants prepare safe gluten free foods

SPREAD KNOWLEDGE!

REFERENCES[1] http://www.foodallergy.org/facts-and-stats[2] http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=19&cont=255[3] http://www.celiaccentral.org/Celiac-Disease/21/

THANK YOU! ANY QUESTIONS?