We have finally figured out what is wrong with our little fella! While it is very relieving to know exactly what is wrong with him and what we can do for him, it is also a bit hard to take it all in.
C.J. has been officially diagnosed with celiac disease. Here is the textbook definition:
"Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods but may also be found in everyday products such as medicines, vitamins, and lip balms.
When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging or destroying villi—the tiny, fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine. Villi normally allow nutrients from food to be absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, no matter how much food one eats.
Celiac disease is both a disease of malabsorption—meaning nutrients are not absorbed properly—and an abnormal immune reaction to gluten. Celiac disease is also known as celiac sprue, nontropical sprue, and gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Celiac disease is genetic, meaning it runs in families."
It definitely explains a lot of what we have been going through with him. It is nice to finally know what is going on so that we can best help him. We have been doing a gluten free diet with him for several months now, and have seen him do nothing but better. Now, we have gone to a strictly gluten free lifestyle for him. It is a challenge, but one we are up for!
Today at his Dr's appointment, he was 32.5 inches and weighed 26 lbs. This is a big improvement as to where he was just a few short months ago. We hope this will continue!
Thanks to everyone who has offered so much support as we have been going through all of this and trying to figure everything out. You are amazing!
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