Are digestive disorders on the rise? It seems there are so many people that need gluten-free or dairy-free diets now?

The recognition of diseases like Crohn's and Celiac is certainly on the rise, but that doesn't necessarily indicate that the diseases are actually becoming more common. For instance, it's true the celiac disease is being diagnosed far more often, but it's also true that a reliable blood test to indicate the disease is a recent breakthrough. Celiac disease shares symptoms with irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and even intestinal infections.

The increase in diagnosis may actual reflect the improvement in diagnostic techniques rather than an actual increase in disease.

I am one of the many who has recently converted to a gluten-free diet and while I agree it is much easier to get gluten-free foods now, I don't think it is particularly related to an increase in gluten or lactose sensitivities. Personally, my doctor recommended 20 years ago that I avoid gluten, but as a teenager living at home and then as a college student I could not afford the specialty foods to do so. Recently, I learned that some studies link gluten to automimmune disases (which are also one the rise).

As an MS sufferer, I decided to go gluten-free to see if it had any impact on my MS symptoms. In less than two weeks, nearly all my MS symptoms had abated. I cannot offer scientific proof, but I can say that it worked for me.

Likewise, I have a friend who avoids lactose and feels better because of it. She has never been tested, but is educated enough to correlate some foods with how her body reacts. I think that may be a factor in the increasing amounts of specialty foods available: people are more able to discern what is making them ill.

Furthermore, with the ubiquitousness of the web, we can now order it if it isn't available locally and specialty stores can order it as well, making it more available. Finally, I think that the fact that the celiac foundation estimates one in 533 Americans (source: my Chex box) has some form of gluten-sensitivity is leading mainstream food producers like General Mills to provide gluten-free options (Chex and some Betty Crocker brand mixes). The Mahalo page here: mahalo.com/gluten-free-diet can help you get an idea about starting a gluten-free diet and my blog at gluten-freeforlife.blogspot.com/ is chronicling my own journey and the things I find.

A great resource for those going gluten-free is glutensmart.com.

I originally thought that I suffered from Candida, and haven't eaten gluten, dairy, or soy for over two years, which has helped, but not alleviated all of my symptoms. In fact, stress just makes them worse. I have done TONS of research on this, and there is a definite connection between ALL of the following: Food allergies and intolerances: Including gluten, corn, soy, dairy, processed sugar Candida (yeast) GERD, IBS, acid reflux, Crohn's, bloating, constipation, gas Auto-immune diseases, recurrent infections, sinus problems, post-nasal drip, mucous issues Lack of stomach acid (hydrochloric) Nutrient malabsorption H.

Pylori infection/ (stomach ulcers) atal hernia Lack of natural Pro-Biotics (breast feeding and diet) Chronic inflammation Skin problems (acne, eczema) Thyroid problems Adrenal/stress issues Autism Heavy metals toxicity Some of these symptoms occur as a result of the other, and some go hand-in hand to create others. I am still looking for the ROOT cause, as there has been a surge in these issues in America. I'd love to find out if the same holds true in Europe, where they've banned GMOs. I suspect that GMOs play a large part in contamination of our food supply, causing these issues.It has been proven that certain new proteins created by GMOs stay in our digestive tract, even after we stop eating them, sometimes proliferating.

This means that if a GMO protein that is essentially a pesticide bonds to our intestinal walls, we can essentially become living pesticide factories. I'm certain that this would effect things such as our natural intestinal flora, the cells in our stomach and intestinal linings, and cause us to develop allergies and other consequent problems.In my case, my digestion almost does not work at all anymore, even with digestive enzyme and stomach acid supplements. As a result, I have nutrient malabsorption issues, which lead to my cells breaking down, which cause things like my skin to fall apart with eczema, inflammation, etc. And much more.

I've only really experienced this in the last four years, and have begun to come across others who suddenly began experiencing the symptoms listed above. Mainly food allergies and resulting digestive issues. All of them are between 30-45 years old, and started getting symptoms in the past 5 years.

If you think about it, the sudden disappearance of bees somewhat corresponds to the onset of human symptoms. We both eat GMO crops. I definitely think it is somehow caused by the food supply, and am striving to educate people on the use of organic, non-GMO, open-pollinated foods, and learning about what the ingredients in the food really are.

I have a few personal opinions on this subject: 1. Yes, there is a possibility that digestive disorders are increasing due to the wide variety of pesticides and preservatives now used. 2.It is much easier now to visit a doctor and receive a diagnosis than in decades past 3.

Diagnosis of digestive disorders is more openly discussed than in years past 4. The ability to gather information is much more readily available than in years past (i.e.TV, National News Papers, Internet) I think through the years with trial and error, and research of various ailments we have been able to label these ailments and bring them into the forefront of the world.

The reason that stomach ailments are on the increase in medicine is that it is the language or physiology or feedback loop from the body communication system or mind, (since all parts of the brain are in the various organs, also) See mind body medicne, Church of Scientology, The communication is "excess"!

According to a study by Mayo Clinic researchers Celiac disease cases are on the rise. This is a digestive order that is treated by shunning wheat and other grains which contain gluten in the diet. It was found out that this digestive orders are four times more common today in America compared to 50 years ago.

Yes eating disorders are on the rise it I hope this article in the ny times helps answer your question nytimes.com/2007/02/06/health/06iht-snea... can you please do me a favor and answer my question and voting for it, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. mahalo.com/answers/technology-and-intern....

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.