Introduction
Perhaps the fact that almost one-third of our population is children and more profoundly, almost all of our future, should emphasize that taking care of our young ones is the single most important thing in the world, and thankfully, parents are steadily realizing how important this is not only to our family but to our nation and to mankind.
Interestingly, these formative years of a child are also a time when they’re most vulnerable especially to a plethora of diseases that have seemingly sprung out of nowhere or perhaps have our attention at this time in the history of mankind.
And until we are able to artificially insert a 24th pair of chromosome [read: the uber-human chromosome] that allows us to rid our bodies of this susceptibility to disease through the wonder of genetic engineering, monitoring their every move on a daily basis seems to be the only course of action.
Yet we have to accept the fact that some (if not all) kids will develop allergies or contract some form of illness that might impact their lives in some way or the other either permanently or hopefully, just temporarily! So much for growing pains… huh?
Celiac Children
With the media’s ever-growing awareness of the various diseases that affects kids as well as adults, perhaps little attention has been directed towards celiac disease that can throw one off balance completely as an adult, and one can imagine how horrifying it can be for children who are finding their footing (literally speaking!!) in the real world.
About 1 in 300 children experience an allergy to gluten, present in wheat, barley and rye based products, and as further research indicates that doctors don’t necessarily diagnose for celiac disease nearly enough! Since the symptoms of an allergy to gluten begin to reveal itself after three months of consuming the gluten-based products (and it’s everywhere!!!), consistent monitoring of the child’s diet and so on and so forth can be helpful in a swift and complete recovery in the stage of diagnosis and administering of a cure by the doctor.
Of all the symptoms listed, irritability is the most common of them all, even though two cases of celiac disease in children are alike. Among others are developing a large abdomen, vomiting, stool that exhibits abnormal characteristics in color, weight and smell. Children affected by a gluten-diet show signs of failure in growth due to their loss in appetite. In extreme cases, they show strong signs of diarrhea and dehydration. However, what is certain from the symptoms listed is that if anything, immediate precautions are a must if symptoms begin to make them selves apparent.
So, what are some of these precautions?
Precautions for Celiac Children
Before one goes apes*** over every little symptom, after knowing that your child is allergic to gluten, it is important to understand that there’s a fine line between being cautious and paranoid. Yet the fact remains that if you do have a celiac child in the family, the entire family become a celiac family as well. Meaning, it is best that the entire family begins a gluten-free diet just so that the celiac child doesn’t feel left out or could be exposed to the allergy that gluten-based products can create if consumed by other members of the family.
Since the only cure to this condition is a gluten-free diet, it is best that one ensures that the child’s daily routine such as going to school, to play with his friends or parties is not stopped due to this aversion but is encouraged but with the action of providing a gluten-free diet for the child while teaching him/ her to say ‘no’ as he goes through the motions of the daily grind.
Conclusion
In taking precautions, it is imperative that the child is not made to feel that he is ‘sick’ or ‘different’ from other due to this condition. On the other hand, it’s important that the child is made to understand the importance of saying no to gluten-ridden foods as this may lead to relapses that can further damage the child physically as well as in other ways.
