B.C. doctor urges increased screening for celiac disease

More children should be screened for celiac disease, according to a pediatric gastroenterologist at BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver.

Dr. Collin Barker said he is alarmed because, if celiac disease is left untreated, there can be serious complications, including an increased risk of bowel cancer.

Those who have the disease have a serious intolerance to gluten, found in wheat, rye, spelt, barley and other grains. While not all people with an intolerance to gluten have celiac disease, for those with the disorder, the gluten can cause an immune system response that damages the small intestine.

Once the small intestine is damaged, the body has a harder time absorbing the nutrients in food — sometimes leading to malnutrition.

It can lead to other health complications including osteoporosis and anemia.

According to the Celiac Association of Canada website, as many as one in 133 people in Canada are affected by the disease.

Barker said the symptoms are similar to those associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

"The symptoms are very variable, from little to no symptoms at all to a lot of abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating," he said in an interview with CBC News.

When children aren't growing well, "failing to thrive" or suffering from abdominal pain, they may be diagnosed with other conditions when they really have celiac, Barker said.

Barker urged everyone who has those symptoms, and those who have been diagnosed  with irritable bowel syndrome, to be screened for celiac disease as well.

Barker said those with the disease should eat a completely gluten-free diet, but may need to make a special effort to find gluten-free foods.

Megan McCormack-Salehi, who was diagnosed with the disease when she was a teenager, said few mainstream stores carry products that can be eaten by celiac sufferers.

"Eventually it gets easier," she said. "I was just speaking to a lady who was newly diagnosed and thinks it's impossible. I've been 12 years and it's a breeze now and I don't think about it."