The disability experience conference
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Transcript of The disability experience conference
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?