16 Mar Coeliac Awareness Week | March 13-20

By Emily Boyle
Accredited Practising Dietitian at TDHS

Coeliac Australia’s 2021 Coeliac Awareness Week Campaign (13-20^th March) aims to raise awareness to Australia’s low coeliac disease diagnosis rates.

Coeliac disease can develop at any age and affects both men and women. Coeliac disease is when the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats) which causes small bowel damage.

When individuals with coeliac disease eat gluten it causes the small, finger-like projections (villi) in the bowel to become inflamed and flattened. A number of serious health consequences can result if the condition is not diagnosed and treated properly. For more information visit:  https://www.coeliac.org.au/s/coeliac-disease

Currently the rates of diagnosis of coeliac disease in Australia are low – in fact 80% of people with coeliac disease don’t know they have it.

Coeliac Australia offers a free online self-assessment to assess your risk of having coeliac disease. Please follow the link to check if you’re at risk: https://www.coeliac.org.au/s/coeliac-disease/self-assessment

If you have been diagnosed with coeliac disease our Accredited Practising Dietitian, Emily at Timboon and District Healthcare Service can assist you to identify the different types of food to include and avoid whilst still ensuring a varied and nutritious diet. Please call 55586000 for a dietitian appointment.