Restless Leg Syndrome

[Guest guest]

I was just reading through the latest (Summer 2006) issue of the Weston Price Foundations Publication called Wise Traditions, and this particular issue had a focus on Grains, Celiac Disease, and Gluten Intolerance. I was astounded to read that one of the symptoms of celiac disease, among many, many possibilities, is restless legs. We were just talking about this condition recently. While I thought it may be related to a mineral deficiency, it may be a symptom of this highly misunderdiagnosed condition. Here is what the article said in small part (page17): "This long term autoimmune reaction causes serious damage to the small intestine, with common symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea, but signs such as restless legs or anemia might be just as likely. In children weight loss and failure to thrive are common markers of the disorder. The chronic inflammation destroys

healthy villi in the small intestine, which are tiny, finger-like outgrowths of the mucosa that vastly increase the surface area available for nutrient absorption during digestion. This flattening of the villi leads to many malabsorption and vitamin and mineral deficiency problems, including severe anemia and osteoporosis, especially after the condition has persisted unrecognized for many years. Other inflammatory responses such as rashes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and chronic fatigue syndrome may develop, along with lymphoma and digestive system cancers. Psychiatric symptoms such as severe depression and schizophrenia have also been linked to the disorder. The list of possible symptoms is vast and often confusing, and no two celiac sufferers react or recover in the same wa once their condition is recognized. In short, a sizeable proportion of our population is gluten intolerant and reacts with a wide spectrum of

symptoms ranging from no apparent reaction to severe life-threatening diseases." As most of you know, I just found out that I am gluten intolerant in June....over 8 years after explant and my initiation into the world of autoimmune illnesses associated with implants. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's 4 years after explant. My point is that you can experience either the development of, or the diagnosis of, autoimmune conditions like celiac disease long after explant, even though you may begin feeling much better and have no overt symptoms. I didn't have anything major going on, but I had experienced some small issues after my root canals that made me keep looking for answers. It was correspondence with another celiac sufferer that I decided to get tested. Then my mom got tested (who has knee replacements...she just found out she's positive too.) I

think it is prudent to be tested for a condition like gluten intolerance if you think you may have any possibility of having it...so many people have it and are NOT diagnosed with it. LIke thyroid disease, celiac disease is an often misunderstood and overlooked condition...and Hashimoto's and celiac disease and/or gluten intolerance seem to often go hand in hand. EnteroLab is one of the most specialized labs for detecting gluten intolerance. You can order a home test kit and find out if you have this condition yourself. I recommend it if you think you may have some food allergies that are undiagnosed. http://enterolab.com/ Patty __________________________________________________