Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic [Hardcover]

Peter H.R. Green (Author), Rory Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 7, 2006

Celiac Disease (CD) is one of the most common and under-diagnosed, hereditary autoimmune condition in the U.S. today. Recent studies reveal that 1 in every 100 people suffer from CD. And 97 percent of them are undiagnosed. The average time to diagnosis is currently 9 years. In the case of CD (also known as gluten intolerance), the body damages or destroys the very mechanism that enables us to digest food. The primary target of injury is the small intestine. Triggered by gluten, the main protein found in wheat, rye and barley, the disease damages the small intestine so that it is unable to properly absorb nutrients.Dr. Peter Green and writer Rory Jones help readers to identify the symptoms, understand their diagnosis and cope with the challenges of living with CD. Incredibly comprehensive, yet accessible and user friendly, this book covers the disease from a medical, dietary and psychological standpoint. It explores all aspects of CD from the often "silent" symptoms and proper diagnostic procedures to the many related conditions and specific diet. The book also includes appendices on related articles and books of interest, medical contact information and a list national CD support groups.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Green (director, Celiac Disease Ctr., Columbia Univ.) and Jones, a science writer and celiac disease patient, have added new information to this revised version of one of LJ's Best Consumer Health Books of 2006. The authors organize this edition the same way as the first, explaining the diagnosis, genetics, and possible complications, with seven chapters devoted to the gluten-free diet. Sections on the diagnosis and management of the disease are updated, and reports of more recent scientific research into a treatment or cure are included. There is a revised list of safe grains and ingredients and tips on reading labels as well as an expanded list of gluten-free product manufacturers. The 2006 edition, which has been a staple in library collections on celiac disease and gluten intolerance, is still a valuable resource worth keeping. This new edition is highly recommended for all libraries, even those that own the first edition.—Lisa Felix, Mishawaka-Penn-Harris P.L., IN
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Review

“Useful, in-depth information for sufferers. . . . This book is important for consumer health libraries and consumer health collections in public libraries.” (Library Journal )

“An exceptionally complete yet easy to read guide to celiac disease and strategies for living with it successfully. . . . Highly Recommended.” (ChildrenWithDiabetes.com )

“Best consumer health books of 2006” (Library Journal )

“A must-read for those with celiac disease and anyone with suspect symptoms (gastrointestinal complaints, anemia, fatigue, headaches, joint pain, etc.)....If you buy just one medical book about celiac disease, make it this one.” (Living Without )

“The definitive resource for every celiac, those yet to be diagnosed, and their families. Comprehensive and concise, yet easy to understand. This is a must-have book. “ (Elaine Monarch, Executive Director, Celiac Disease Foundation )

“Easy to read . . . full of common sense and suggestions that go to the heart of celiac concerns.” (Gluten-Free Living )

“The book the celiac world has needed all along.” (Gluten Intolerance Group Newsletter )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1 edition (February 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006076693X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060766931
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Immune Systems

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

189 of 191 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accessible Science - Every Celiac Should Have This Book, February 17, 2006

By 

Gluten Mom (New York, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic (Hardcover)

This book is a very worthwhile addition to a person with celiac disease's library. Rather than another "do's and don'ts" book, it's focus is on the physiology and pathology of celiac disease. But let not your heart be troubled (or your brain twisted) by medicalese -- it is written very clearly and in layman's terms. It starts with an overview of the "normal" digestive tract and the immune system. Then it explains what celiac disease is and what goes wrong. There are chapters on how to diagnose celiac disease and differentiate it from other conditions, as well as discussions on alternative approaches to testing for celiac disease including fecal, breath, and saliva testing and the blood dot test. Dr. Green discusses laboratory differences and false negatives and false positives. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the future of testing.

The next parts of the book are devoted to related conditions and complications with chapters on neurological manifestations like peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, migraines, and epilepsy, malignancy, osteoporosis, depression, DH, diabetes, infertility, and other related autoimmune conditions like Sjogren's Syndrome, thyroid disease, fibromyalgia, Addison's Disease etc. and discussions of the medical management of celiac disease.

The gluten free diet (the only treatment for celiac disease) is covered in some detail, covering topics such as how much gluten is too much, grain science, cross-contamination, and basic rules for avoiding cross contamination. There are chapters on the new labelling and testing of gluten free products, a short chapter on cooking without gluten (this is not a cookbook), eating in the "real world", dealing with family occasions, the medicine cabinet and cosmetics and "eating naked".

The last part of the book has chapters on dealing with children and young adults who have celiac disease, including the impact of parental attitudes, how adults cope with the changes celiac disease and the gluten free diet bring to their lifestyles and then chapters on research and myths and unexplored areas.

I would say that at least two thirds of the book deals with the medical and scientific issues surrounding celiac disease. The last third of the book deals with lifestyle change and gluten-free diet issues. I was glad that there weren't really any specific products mentioned in the book, so we don't have to worry about whether or not a product really is "still" gluten free or not because we saw it in this book.

All in all, I certainly think that this book is an excellent reference for every celiac to have, and a very important contribution to the celiac community.

57 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, well written and human, February 9, 2006

By 

Leda Smith (Westerlo, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic (Hardcover)

Having multiple food intolerences that went mis-diagnosed for years, I am quite familiar with this genre of writing. From this background, I will unequivocably say that this book is incredible. It gives a wealth of information about celiac disease specifically as well as a much-appreciated, comprehensive overview of the background to it--the complexity of the digestive systems and how they work and can go wrong. It is written beautifully with a blend of anecdotes and scientific fact that is a pleasure to read. The authors are obviously very familiar with the difficulties, stress, and pain that can accompany all stages of learning of and living with a gluten-free diet. It's tone is honest, extremely positive, and uplifting. I recomend this book to all interested in this topic, celiacs and non-celiacs alike.

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book I've Read on Celiac Disease, March 16, 2006

By 

B. Barfield "Betty" (Fort Worth, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic (Hardcover)

I applaude Dr. Green and Rory Jones with this new book. I've bought and read almost every book and cookbook ever written on celiac disease and the gluten free diet since my diagnosis 17 years ago and this is by far the best.

The book details the history of celiac disease, the medical aspects of the disease in layman's terms, and the diet itself in an easily readible book.

I loved the insertion of the personal stories throughout the book. Many people will find their own story in them. This book should be in every GI doctor's office in the country, not to mention every celiac's home.

I give this book an A+!