This informational guide, part of PS's Condition Center , lays out the realities of this health concern: what it is, what it can look like, and strategies that medical experts say are proven to help. You should always consult your doctor regarding matters pertaining to your health and before starting any course of medical treatment. You might be familiar with celiac disease if you have a gluten-free friend or family member living with the condition.
Or maybe you've heard it mentioned on social media, as users post about their experiences navigating the celiac lifestyle . Well, it turns out the condition isn't very common, but it can have a very significant impact on your life, especially your diet. About one in 133 Americans has celiac disease, an autoimmune condition that requires strict adherence to a gluten-free diet, according to Beyond Celiac , a patient advocacy and research-driven celiac disease organization.
The organization also estimates that up to 83 percent of Americans who have celiac disease go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed with something else — and it usually takes a whopping six to 10 years to get a proper diagnosis. This is partly because symptoms can be very vague — but there's also still just a general lack of awareness about the condition. That's alarming because when left untreated, celiac disease can contribute to long-term health consequences like osteoporosis, infertility , and even cancer.
So, what is celiac disease, exactly — and how can you .