Monthly Archives: February 2012

Gluten Intolerance and Tourettes Syndrome

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One of the lesser known triggers of Tourettes Syndrome is gluten when celiac disease is present.  Like Tourettes syndrome, celiac disease or gluten intolerance, is a genetic predisposition triggered by an environmental variable.  While researchers still don’t fully understand the connection between celiac disease and Tourettes, the statistical overlap is such that if you suffer from one you should investigate the other.  So what is celiac disease?

In the case of gluten intolerance, you will uncover layers of complexity and confusion. Many people don’t fully appreciate how pervasive gluten is within the regular diet, and they often don’t have an understanding of just how challenging celiac disease often is. Additionally, very few people understand the distinction between a gluten sensitivity, a wheat allergy and a fully diagnosed case of celiac disease.

Gluten intolerance operates as a blanket phrase for three different disorders: gluten sensitivity, a wheat allergy and celiac disease. A sensitivity to gluten exists whenever a clear response to consuming gluten is diagnosed however the tests for celiac disease come back negative. This is sometimes termed non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Celiac disease is technically a disease of the autoimmune system triggered by eating gluten. Celiac disease will be identified by genetic test a blood test or a biopsy of the intestinal lining. An intestinal biopsy is an effective way to test for celiac disease since this is the place the immune system attacks, and causes damage.

Wheat allergies are different from celiac sprue disease because allergies cause a histamine response similar to other food allergies, for example a peanut allergy. Celiac disease leads to an autoimmune response, which means it will cause the body to attack itself with time, although the signs may not be as apparent as they are with allergies.

According to statistics on gluten intolerance practically one percent of people have celiac disease. The figures are the same for men and women with a wheat allergy. The attention-grabbing thing is that virtually 10% have some type of gluten sensitivity.

Gluten allergies resemble other allergic reactions and will include swelling, hives or a rash. Celiac disease symptoms are a little different; these symptoms can include constipation or diarrhea, bloating or cramping, flatulence, weight loss or gain. Certain people experience silent symptoms or they don’t experience symptoms.

Because celiac disease is missed all too often it is important for doctors and also patients to understand gluten intolerance testing and when to do it. Too many people experience problems for a long time before getting diagnosed correctly.

If understanding gluten intolerance is new to you the good news is there are some good resources available. Arm yourself with knowledge and take note of indicators; you may want to try managing your Tourettes Syndrome with a gluten-free diet.

What Affect Does Diet Have On Tourettes Syndrome

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As more and more research is conducted which looks at the affects of our western diet on behavior and motor/sensor syndromes, white sugar and other sugar based foods are being implicated as contributing factors.  Doesn’t it seem odd that cases of Tourettes, Aspergers, and Autism are sky rocketing?  In Oregon, one in 120 children is being diagnosed with one of these problems.

Research seems to indicate that environmental and nutritional concerns are probably at the heart of this epidemic.  In particular, highly refined sugars seem to play a role in the severity of symptoms that these children experience.

Our daughter was diagnosed with Autism and later Aspergers syndrome when she was six years old.  Up until that time she had speech and language problems along with tactile stimulation issues.  We took her to a naturopath who quickly realized that sugar and simple carbs like refined wheat flour could make a difference in her.  When we changed her diet to limit refined sugar and flour and replaced it with whole foods such as green vegetables, fruit, fish, and poultry we saw a dramatic improvement in her symptoms.  These sort of dietary changes are also showing positive effects in patients with Tourettes.

Even now, our daughter is currently 26 years old, if she starts eating sugary foods or foods with highly refined grains her behavior and attitude goes down the drain.  She gets moody and very hostile.  On the other hand, when she eats a diet rich in no carb foods, she is very pleasant to be around.

There has to be a reason why over the last thirty years there has been a dramatic increase in the incidence of behavioral syndromes in children.  Tourettes, Autism, and Aspergers were not nearly as prevalent before this time as they are now.  Considering all the other harm that our Western diet high in sugars and refined carbohydrates is causing, such as our obesity epidemic and diabetes rates skyrocketing, more studies should be done to explore the relationship between nutrition and Tourettes.

Understanding a Teenager with Tourettes

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It’s not easy to be a parent under any circumstances, and it’s certainly more difficult with a condition like Tourette’s. Although it has gained more mainstream media exposure, there are still many people who are unaware of what it entails. And when children and teenagers eventually show symptoms, parents can be caught off guard. It’s potentially very shocking at the very least, a source of concern for a lot of parents. But the good news is more research is coming out every year and you are certainly not alone. As a parent with a teenager who has Tourette’s, it’s important to know there are support systems and guidance to help you out. You should never feel like you have to handle the situation by yourself or that it somehow your fault.

There are still a lot of misconceptions regarding Tourette’s and how to handle the situation. Unfortunately, there are parents out there whose first response is to think that their child is faking it. Thankfully, the number of parents in this category is diminishing, but they’re still out there. You have to remember that this is a very real condition and it’s not just something in the mind. You can’t talk a teenager out of the problem, and it’s virtually impossible to fake it for a long period of time.

It’s important to empathize with your team and try to put yourself in their shoes. They have been aware of their condition far before you have, since they have grown up with it. So while you might not have noticed what was going on, they have been living it each and every day. It can be veryisolating and make them feel like an outcast even when surrounded by friends. It makes social situations awkward and happens to be a big source of embarrassment. And when you add in other teenage problems such as homework, how to get rid of acne, and going on your first date, a can be incredibly overwhelming.

Your job as a parent is to find the best resources possible while providing emotional support. There are physicians out there who can help to ease symptoms, and they can be great sources of education as well. The best thing you can do is to learn as much as possible so that your teenager has someone to turn to.

A Big Shock

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My life is full of things going wrong and I’m learning how to find happiness while battling an illness. I was diagnosed with colon cancer around two months ago. What a shock! A man of only twenty seven having this is just not normal. I was left with so many questions and a bunch of anger.  But I’m lucky in a lot of ways.

My fiancée is telling me all the time to find the good in all the bad. I’m not sure she knows I’m listening but I am trying. Sometimes all I hear is what can happen and it’s stressful. Every day I thank God I’m alive. Surprisingly I have outlived the age of my father death already and getting closer and closer to the age of my mother’s death as well is a scary thing. I just try not to focus on it. I have had to come up with hobbies, and ways to clear my mind.

Also leaning on those you love is key. Every second I get to hear my fiancées voice puts a smile on my face. I love the way a hug feels now a days. You feel like there is so much support and a load is taken off of you. The one thing that does bring me a lot of joy is just talking with friends. When you’re not talking about the cancer and you feel normal for just a few hours.

I’m trying to learn new games and meet people who don’t know I’m ill. I read a new joke every day and share it with as many people as I can to see their smiles. It brings joy to my heart. The doctors’ visits are hard but you learn that talking about it is harder. If you have someone strong by your side they will one day see the help they are providing to you. Enjoy life and love the ones your with right now.