Gluten Sensitivity, Autoimmunity, and GERD

A few weeks ago, during Mother's Day, I reflected upon all the changes that had taken place in my girls in the past few weeks.  For some people, these changes sound like nothing celebratory at all.  For me, they were acutely significant.

My younger daughter now sleeps through the night regularly.  My older daughter no longer awakens from excessive thirst in the middle of the night--a significant step toward sleeping through the night regularly, too. Both girls go to sleep more readily, and they do not require a light in the hall outside their room.  

Neither of my children has had colds or fevers or vomiting issues during this time period.  My younger daughter has also not had any issues with croup or stridor.

My younger daughter has been without an ear infection or fluid in her ears for about a month now.  She has started to put on a little weight.

My older daughter no longer has random meltdowns during the day.  She is becoming more flexible and able to manage variation in her daily routine.

Neither one has had issues with acid reflux.

Now, I confess, I have not adhered to a strict, 100% gluten-free diet these past two months with the girls.  They have had an occasional cookie or pretzel or cracker here and there.  And my older daughter has gotten away with more "rule breaking" than my younger daughter because she has been exposed to more gluten-ridden "treats" at preschool.  (She has, however, learned to ask the all-important question: "Is there gluten in that?" to which she usually receives blank stares from her three-year-old classmates.)  

The other day, my younger child found a box of saltines in the pantry, which she calls "Dada's crackers."  She was asking for them and reaching for them when I heard my older child say, "Those are the kind of crackers that will make you sick.  Mama will give you the good crackers that will keep you healthy."  She's learning!

After viewing Dr. Osborne's videos, it has become absolutely clear to me that infants and toddlers diagnosed with colic, gas, or reflux ought to be evaluated for gluten sensitivity prior to being placed on antacids or proton-pump inhibitors.  I particularly appreciate the detail with which Dr. Osborne explains gluten sensitivity as a symptom of autoimmune disease: this link clearly strengthens the recent Dallas study detailed on an earlier post New Dallas Study Links GERD to Autoimmunity.  I have struggled with autoimmunity since I was a child.  My presenting symptoms at the time seemed limited to vitiligo; however, having lifelong symptoms of digestive discomfort, I was finally diagnosed through a blood test as having a wheat allergy three years ago.  I did not know until last night that the two were related: that all autoimmune symptoms--whether vitiligo or diabetes or acid reflux or asthma or autism spectrum disorders--were all symptoms of the same problem: gluten sensitivity.  Approaching treatment from a dietary standpoint can save parents a large financial burden and children a lifetime of long-term complications due to strong medications which manage the symptoms but not the disease.


(Incidentally, I am starting to take better care of myself.  Because I was diagnosed shortly before my first daughter was born, I focused my energy and attention on her needs--not my own.  Had I studied autoimmunity and gluten sensitivity as thoroughly then as I have now, I may have saved us all a world of trouble!  For my own part, I can attest that my stomach issues have improved.  My vitiligo, well...that will probably take longer to resolve!)


For more information, watch Dr. Osborne: Gluten Sensitivity and Children