HELP!!! I'M AT THE END OF MY ROPE

You've heard it before! "MY CHILD IS SO LETHARGIC. MY CHILD IS SUCH A PICKY EATER AND IS SO CRANKY! HELP!!! I'M AT THE END OF MY ROPE. WHAT CAN I DO?"

When a child lacks energy, grows slowly, doesn't want to eat and is cranky, it could be simply their age. BUT, it could also be celiac disease (CD). CD is a genetic disorder that can affect both children and adults. In people with celiac disease, eating certain types of proteins sets off an autoimmune response that causes damage to the small intestine. This in turn, interferes with the small intestine's ability to absorb the nutrients found in food, leading to malnutrition and a variety of complications, such as failure to thrive, osteopenia, anemia, miscarriages and thyroid disease. The offending proteins are found in wheat, barley, rye and to a lesser degree oats (WBRO). The only known treatment at this time is a lifelong adherence to a diet eliminating WBRO and any of their derivatives, commonly referred to as the Gluten-Free Diet (GFD).

WHO IS CSA? The Celiac Sprue Association (CSA) is the largest CELIAC PATIENT SUPPORT organization in the United States and is committed to being Celiacs Helping Celiacs. With local representation countrywide, help is only a toll-free phone call or an e-mail away.

CSA PROVIDES INFORMATION AND SUPPORT BY

•  Helping to "get the word out" about Celiac Disease to over 2 million individuals who 

    are as yet undiagnosed

•  Assisting LOCAL Chapters and Resource Units nationwide

•  Providing the latest research-based information at no cost or low cost

•  Providing individualized telephone (toll-free) and on line support

•  Producing and distributing THE CSA GLUTEN-FREE PRODUCT LISTING

•  Producing and distributing a series of cookbooks developed for and tested by

    people living healthy lives Gluten-Free.

•  Operating the only Peer-Review CD Research Grant Program

For more information on celiac disease or to find a group near you, contact:

Celiac Sprue Association

PO Box 31700, Omaha , NE 68131-0700

1-877-CSA-4-CSA

celiacs@csaceliacs.org

www.csaceliacs.org