Gluten Free Chattanooga will host its first educational and enhancement group meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at Erlanger Hospital. Dr. Drago Tolosa of T.C. Thompson’s Children’s Hospital, part of the Erlanger Health System will speak on celiac disease, gluten intolerance, the importance of the gluten free diet and a proper diagnosis.

The mission of the Gluten Free Chattanooga Support Group is to make a positive difference in the lives of those living with celiac disease or gluten intolerance through education, support and the opportunity to interact with fellow celiacs.

Group leader Kelly Brexler said, “Sadly most diagnosed patients leave the doctors office feeling overwhelmed and misinformed. Our goal is to educate those people so they may better navigate this disease in a way that will help narrow down what normally takes a year to do, to get them healthy in a matter of weeks or months.”

“In addition, we are hoping to bring awareness to physicians in the region so they will start testing their patients earlier and more often, hopefully providing a much better lifestyle for many.”

Celiac disease affects people differently and not all symptoms are evident. Common celiac symptoms include diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss and, in some children, delayed growth. For others, the symptoms are subtle, such as bloating or excess gas.

Fatigue, weakness, joint pain and migraines are also reported, and the diagnosis is often anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, stress, or irritable bowel syndrome.
Without treatment, celiac disease increases the risk of malnutrition, osteoporosis, certain digestive tract cancers and other disorders such as Type 1 diabetes and thyroid disease.

Celiac disease occurs in one of 133 people and 1.5 million Americans have the disease. The only treatment is a 100% gluten free diet.

“There are many adults and children that have celiac symptoms and have not been properly diagnosed. We want anyone and everyone to attend the meeting to become informed on the disease and the importance of the gluten free diet,” said group supporter Stacy Johnson.

If you or your child have been diagnosed with celiac disease, gluten intolerance or have common celiac symptoms and think a gluten free diet could help, attend the group meeting on Aug. 25.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Thompson Room at Erlanger Hospital and is open to the public.

For more information please call Kelly Brexler at 423 664-2520 or email Stacy Johnson at glutenfreechatt@yahoo.com.