Celiac Disease Treatment

Strict adherence to a gluten-free diet for life is the only treatment currently available.  This involves the elimination of wheat, rye, barley and derivatives of these grains from your diet.  Medication is not normally required, unless there is an accompanying condition, e.g. osteoporosis, dermatitis herpetiformis, etc.  Thriving, showing  improvement and return of health on the gluten-free diet is the second half of the ‘gold standard’ of being diagnosed with CD.

Questions to Ask your Doctor:

Should I take nutritional supplements?

Could I have associated food intolerances?

Where can I have a bone density study?

What other concerns should I have?

How can I find out about the diet?

Dermatitis Herpetiformis Treatment 

Just as with celiac disease, strictly following a gluten-free diet for life is the only complete treatment.  It may take two or more years on a gluten-free diet for the IgA deposits under the skin to clear.  Your doctors may prescribe medications for immediate relief from the itching and burning eruptions.  The most common medication used is Dapsone.  This medication has serious side effects and requires regular monitoring by your physician.  When taken to relieve the symptoms of DH, Dapsone should be taken in the smallest effective doses for as short a time as possible.  Medications for DH should not be used during pregnancy.  If you use medications to relieve the itching caused from DH, but do not follow a gluten-free diet, you run the risk of also developing the intestinal problem – celiac disease and other complications.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor:

Should I take medication for this disease?

How long will I need to take this medicine and how will I know when to stop taking it?

What are the side effects of the medicine?

How often do I need to get my blood drawn to monitor this medicine’s effect on my body?

What else can trigger DH?