90% of people suffering from Celiac disease in Pakistan remain undiagnosed due to lack of education about the condition.

What are the issues with Celiac disease in Pakistan?

Although a gluten-free diet acts as an effective treatment towards Celiac disease, this diet is complicated, socially restrictive, and costly.

Wheat is the most affordable and readily available grain used in Pakistan. Gluten-free alternatives like rice are expensive and inaccessible to the general population, especially for long-term use.

What can we do to change this?

Lack of diagnosis.

The vast majority of people living with Celiac disease in Pakistan are either completely unaware that they are living with the condition, or they are misdiagnosed. This leads to an extremely negative affect on their health, as well increasing the lack of awareness around the disease. As soon as people are able to recognize the signs and symptoms of Celiac, they are able to adapt and properly adjust their lifestyles.

Awareness & Education.

In Pakistan, there is a complete lack of awareness surrounding Celiac disease. Once the diagnosis of the condition increases, there will be more people aware of the disease and more information and resources available to those who need them.

Growth.

Once people are more aware of the disease we can begin to see changes in society. Restaurants will become more mindful of cross contamination and offer more gluten-free options, households will begin to use gluten-free ingredients as substitutes in their cooking. Living in Pakistan as someone with Celiac would become infinitely easier.

Once we are able to identify the signs of Celiac disease in ourselves and the people around us, people can actively adjust their lifestyles, and awareness about the disease is increased.

Signs you may have Celiac disease:

Digestive issues:

  • Bloating

  • Chronic diarrhea

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Abdominal pain

  • Lactose intolerance

  • Gas

Bodily issues:

  • Fatigue

  • Joint or bone pain

  • Depression or anxiety

  • Nervous system symptoms

  • Reproductive issues in women

  • Canker sores

Issues due to lack of absorption:

  • Damaged permanent teeth’s enamel

  • Delayed puberty

  • Failure to thrive in infants

  • Mood swings

  • Stunted growth

  • Weight loss