I don't recall that we've discussed this before, (not specifically, anyway), but an article in the Winter, 2007 issue of Living Without magazine reminded me of why so many of us have severe neurological issues along with our GI issues. Apparently some gluten sensitive individuals have only the neurological issues, (gluten ataxia), without GI symptoms. Untreated, the cumulative damage to the brain can eventually lead to severe dementia. I would recommend getting a copy of the magazine and reading the article titled "All in Your Head". It tells the story we're so familiar with, about how difficult it is to get a correct diagnosis. It's really difficult, when it's "all in your head". By the time the main subject of the article got a correct diagnosis, he was already in a wheelchair.
It remains unclear why some patients with gluten sensitivity present solely with neurological dysfunction when others present with gastrointentestinal symptoms (gluten sensitive enteropathy) or an itchy skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis).
The article in Living Without points out that one of the symptoms of gluten ataxia is severe headaches, migraines, etc. I would bet almost anything that this is the basis of Mo's migraine problems.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Regarding headaches, this is another related quote I found within that link you provided(differant article) You just might be right about MO's headaches, I don't recall off hand if she has been GF or how she's eating these days.
Researchers found that removing or cutting back on gluten a protein in wheat and other grains --in the diet greatly reduced these symptoms among a middle-aged study group.
The study was reported in the latest issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study reported 10 patients with gluten sensitivity whose MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) tests suggested inflammation of the central nervous system. All had experienced occasional headaches and some suffered from unsteadiness and failure of muscle coordination. After removing gluten from their diets, nine of the 10 patients in the study found full or partial relief. One patient would not try the diet.
The "hook", (in editor's parlance), for that article, that appears on the cover of the current issue of Living Without, is "Is Gluten Damaging Your Brain?". According to that article, much of the brain damage that gluten causes, is permanent, and cumulative - not a pleasant thought, and a very good incentive for being strict about the diet.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
It’s no wonder that in the first few months on the Gluten Free diet that I actually could feel my brain begin to work again. I guess it proves I have one. I can only believe that the brain fog that many of us have experienced might only be the beginning of much larger problems .
Thanks, Dr. Fine, for your tests. I can not imagine where I would be these years later without them since standard test never caught the real problem .
Since it is the season to be thankful I have to say that I am thankful that I found the diet so simple for me and such wonderful back up that I was on the right track.
This is a very real problem.....and scary, too. I recall that Luce did a lot of research into the neurologic effects of gluten after her headaches totally disappeared when she went GF.
Thanks for bringing it up again. Gee, now I'm wondering how many folks in nursing homes with dementia might have gluten sensitivity. My mom is a case in point. She is in a dementia unit in long term care. Hers in not Alzheimer's - just "garden-variety" dementia. And the type she has (2nd only to Alzheimer's in incidence) is known for having gait disturbances too. Hmmmmmmmmm.
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
The magazine article recommends the blood tests for antigliadin antibodies, (IgG and IgA), plus the endomysium and tissue transglutaminase antibodies, just as with any other form of celiac disease. Since there may not be any gluten sensitive enteropathy present, a stool test might not offer any test advantages, in this case, but I may be totally off base with that speculation.
Of course, the ultimate test is obvious improvement after a few months on a strict GF diet. I think they recommend at least 6 months on the GF diet to give it a fair trial.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
-Polly. My mom is a case in point. She is in a dementia unit in long term care. Hers in not Alzheimer's - just "garden-variety" dementia. And the type she has (2nd only to Alzheimer's in incidence) is known for having gait disturbances too. Hmmmmmmmmm.
My Father also has gait disturbances, big time. I noticed it a couple years ago but it seems to have improved since then however I see him only a couple times a year. Have never asked him about it but I've been wondering what might be causing it. His birthday is today, 76 yrs. old and he and my Mother are on now their way to Mexico for a couple weeks. Still traveling and doing well which we are thankful for but the reality of our parents age is setting in...........
Gluten has caused me such problems, I worry about my parents and my children.
I can only believe that the brain fog that many of us have experienced might only be the beginning of much larger problems .