Here's Something That We Have Been Mostly Overlooking

[tex]

Hi All,

I was doing a little thinking today, (I know - a dangerous thing to do), about food intolerances, and why some of us have such a tough time achieving remission. We generally think of MC as an issue that primarily affects the colon. After all, a diagnosis is based on biopsies from the colon, and the condition of the small intestine is considered to be pretty much irrelevant to a diagnosis of MC. However, according to research, fully 70% of MC patients also have inflammation in their small intestine, (which, of course, is the center of trouble for celiacs). (I'm guessing that biopsies of the colon were selected as a basis for diagnosis, primarily because of convenience, (since it is easier to obtain biopsy samples from the colon).

In patients with the microscopic colitis syndrome, serological tests for celiac sprue were weakly positive in 17%; mild inflammation of the small intestine without villous atrophy was present in 43%, and inflammation plus partial or subtotal villous atrophy was present in 27%.

This is from:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entre ... med_DocSum

which is a research article published by Dr. Fine, and Mike was kind enough to post this link in another topic:

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2645

where we were discussing Enterolab Results for HLA-DQ Gene Molecular Analysis.

That being the case, MC patients are almost as likely to accumulate damage to the small intestine as celiacs. Not only that, but, as Alice pointed out in that other thread, damage can be accumulating, even though no outward symptoms are present.

I'm just guessing here, but I suspect this may be the reason why some of us can test positive to a certain food, and yet not show any obvious symptoms, (as Bob mentioned, in the thread referenced above, about casein intolerance - IOW, casein doesn't appear to bother him, even though he tested intolerant to it). I further suspect that this may explain why diet alone is sometimes not sufficient to bring remission, and that this may be why some of us have needed to resort to a med such as Entocort, (in addition to diet restrictions), in order to achieve remission. IOW, an asymptomatic food intolerance may not cause an apparent reaction, but the long-term damage that it causes, may allow the tiniest amounts of other symptomatic intolerances to trigger reactions, or possibly the damage might cause virtually all food to trigger an adverse reaction.

Looking back, my small intestine was a major source of irritation during reaction episodes, more so, I believe, than my colon, as far as gas and bloating was concerned.

Anyone else have any thoughts/comments on this?

Tex

[barbaranoela]

A good Sunday to U Galahad--

When I went to my GI---he always checked the lower intestion--took biopsies and etc.--
That part of me was always clean as a whistle---

Cant add anything else????

luve Columbo~~~~~

PS. it is sciatica----and of course stupid me--thinking its lack of my Xercizes--I started to do them---thus causing all this mess--

[CAMary]

Well, I had an interesting chat with my plastic surgeon last week - I asked if I need to pre-medicate with antibiotics before dental work, since I now have "foreign objects" implanted in me...we got off on a tangent about protecting one's individual health. He believes many unhealthy effects can arise from the buildup of "bad things" in our bodies. He is not a believer in colonics or anything, but says people should be sure they are eliminating regularly, as "to retain waste for any length of time can do nothing but create problems" - of course this isn't an issue for us MCers!! He also feels regular exercise, and working up a good sweat willl also help purge *crap* from our bodies. He also acknowledged that inflammation is a *huge* cause of many contemporary illnesses, especially in women, and believes foods with anti-inflammatory properties, as well as a healthy, balanced diet are good for everyone.

So in short, I think you are on the right track! I tested positive for malabsorption w/Dr. Fine, so I'd be willing to bet $$ I had inflammation of the small intestine when I had active MC....

Mary

[fifthofanickel]

was of the opinion our bodies are just one big inflammation, causing all kinds of havoc in our bodies. My having Fibromyalgia, MC/IBS, Gerd, etc. all are inflammatory diseases.

Case in point; About a month ago I was hospitalised w/bronchitis, costochondritis, & irregularities in my ekg. Doc said he thinks the fibro (being inflammation) caused the bronchitis, which at that point was viral, but then turned bacterial. Uti's also inflammatory. So, here we have all this inflammation going on. Many things are going to "pop" out, I believe.

I'm also of the opinion when we ingest our "trigger" foods that irritates the GI system which in turn causes the symptoms to activate (so to speak) all our diseases. Btw, my stress test showed no heart damage..yaaayyy!!!

When I first was dx w/MC, I looked like I was 12mos. prego. And I'm certain it was the colon causing the problems. Then I started a very bland diet, added one food at a time, (keeping a journal) & eliminating the foods that caused the gas/bloat/diarrhea. This process took around 2yrs. And no fun in doing it either..Some caused D, & so a race to the toidy was in order. That's why it took so long. Finally did need to go gf for almost 7yrs.

The last colonoscopy I had in 2005, showed no intestinal damage. I'm now taking Calcium Carbonate & it's working fine. I'm able to introduce some foods I couldn't tolerate b4, & hoping no damage will be done to the small intestine. I haven't any gas/bloat & my stools are normal again. At last, after the last 7mos. flare, I have my life back.

Don't know if I answered your questions or not....lol I can't read your posting as I'm writing this...Probably clicked the wrong reply button. Well, us senior citizens do have senior moments...lol..

Anyway have a good rest of the week. Always like reading your posts Tex, they are always so informative..

Blessings;
Fifth

[tex]

Thanks everyone,

I appreciate your thoughts.

Mrs. Columbo, sorry to hear that it is sciatica. I hope your chiropractor can nip it in the bud.

Mary, I agree with your plastic surgeon. Also, according to my fecal fat score, on my tests at Enterolab, my small intestine still showed some damage, almost three years after I adopted the GF diet.

Fifth, I'm afraid you may be right - we do seem to have inflammation in virtually every system of our bodies, when we're reacting. I always enjoy reading your posts, also.

Thanks everyone, for all the insight.

Tex

[Polly]

Yup, I agree that inflammation is the key issue with us. That old hyper-reactive immune system.

I believe that even this chronic sinus infection I developed after dental surgery is related to the inflammatory process. The culture was negative, and I read an article that said that some people have continuing sinus problems as a result of the inflammatory process. In other words, it is the products of inflammation (like those darn cytokines) that continue the sinus problem - not bacteria or fungi, etc.

Love,

Polly

[tex]

Polly,

So if I'm correctly interpreting what you are saying, I gather that you're suggesting that certain chronic sinus problems should be included in the ever-growing list of autoimmune diseases. Am I right?

Love,
Tex

[Polly]

Hi Tex,

I guess it could be autoimmune - if the immune system were attacking a part of the sinus tissue. In my case I just meant hyperimmune - too great of an immune response. Probably initially there were "bugs" in the sinus, which were successfully killed/disabled by the immune system and/or antibiotics. However, the immune system may have overreacted or continued its attack long after the bugs died. The excessive products of the immune response (like cytokines) then continued to increase and aggravate the sinus cavity. Just a WAG.

Love,

Polly

[tex]

Okay, I see your point. To be considered autoimmune, (in medical parlance), the attack would have to be specifically directed against components of one's own body - collateral damage would not qualify.

Still, if no pathogen is present, and an attack continues to be launched by the immune system, (or if an attack is much more aggressive than would be the case if it were controlled by a "normal" immune system), then one has to ponder the motives of such corrupt behavior. While that behavior does not technically meet the definition of autoimmune disease, such insubordinate behavior is certainly a step in that direction. After all, an autoimmune reaction is generally considered to have been launched by an overactive immune system.

Love,
Tex