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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.

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The disability experience conference

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  1. The disability experience conference The Severity and Reality of Being Gluten Free By: DhanalakshmiThiyagarajan

  2. Common food allergies • 15 million Americans are affected [1] • Reaction: mild response like itchiness to anaphylaxis [2] • Allergies are commonly understood by general public

  3. 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]

  4. 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

  5. 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]

  6. 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.

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. Involvement with national organizations • Udi’s Gluten Free Foods • College Ambassador • National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) • College Team

  10. Research project • Diet Adherence in Diagnosed Celiac Disease Patients • Testing Reluctance in High-Risk Patients

  11. 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

  12. Spread knowledge!

  13. 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/

  14. Thank you! Any questions?

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