Welcome to the Gluten Free Works Health Guide Newsletter!
Today we are focusing on a single symptom due to its insidious nature and the terrible consequences of not recognizing and treating it quickly and properly.
The symptom is Apathy.
Apathy is the “It’s too hard” symptom of celiac disease. Although it is a common symptom and one of the first to present, it is often dismissed as laziness or weakness or fatigue. Apathy is crucially important to understand as it can have a huge impact on life and our potential.
“Apathy is an abnormal emotional state that is characterized by indifference to things which others find interesting, moving or exciting, and diminished motivation to perform regular daily activities. Apathy is common in people with celiac disease and appears long before the other symptoms of the disease.” (GFW Health Guide. Apathy.)
Unlike symptoms that cause overt pain and suffering, apathy is insidious. It affects both children and adults. It cannot be seen and often goes unrecognized for weeks, months or years. It affects the mind, so doctors cannot see it. Careers, relationships and lives suffer unless apathy is recognized and the underlying causes are fixed.
In the case of celiac disease, apathy results from biochemical alterations due to nutrient deficiencies. These alterations impair normal brain function.
The following are some of the symptoms and disorders related to apathy. Review each to discover what they are , how they develop, their prevalence, symptoms, how they respond to a gluten-free diet and our Six Step System to Improve the Symptom. You will find more under the Apathy Category at the Health Guide.
What Is Autoimmune Thyroiditis (Hypothyroidism)? Autoimmune thyroiditis, also called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, is an autoimmune destruction of thyroid tissue characterized by insufficient thyroid hormone circulating in the body that causes formation of a goiter (enlarged thyroid gland) and hypothyroidism. Hypothroidism refers …
What Is Osteomalacic Myopathy? Osteomalacic myopathy is a major feature of osteomalacia that is characterized by painful muscle weakness involving the thighs and upper arms and hyperreflexia. Q: What is hyperreflexia? A: Hyperreflexia means the action of reflexes is increased. …
What Is Unexpected Weight Loss? Unexpected weight loss is unintentional loss of body mass composition or inability to gain weight marked by decreased serum proteins and increased stool fat.1 What Is Unexpected Weight Loss In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity? …
What Is Muscle Weakness? Muscle weakness is the impaired status of muscle function characterized by decreased or low muscle strength and inability to perform normal work such as lifting a pot off the stove. Q: How do muscles work? A: …
What Is Refractory Iron Deficiency Anemia In Childhood? Refractory iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a microcytic (small cell) type anemia. It is characterized by formation of abnormally small, pale red blood cells and iron depletion, or inadequate iron content in …
What Is Cachexia? Cachexia is a state of ill health involving deteriorating body composition that is characterized by general malnutrition and loss of lean tissue such as muscle. Q: What are typical findings in cachexia? A: Arm muscle triceps (the …
What Is Obesity? Obesity is a metabolic disorder that is characterized by body mass index greater than 30% which is caused by excessive body fat called adipose tissue. Q: What is body fat? A: Body fat is part of the body …
What Is Early Menopause? Early menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation in females before the age of 40 years characterized by vasomotor instability (hot flashes/cold episodes), psychologic and emotional symptoms and profound changes in the lower genital tract. The …
What Is Migraine? Migraine is a neurologic disorder characterized by reduced cerebral blood flow that causes a severe headache. The pain is usually on one side of the head, pulsates, and is aggravated by bodily exertion that increases blood pressure. …
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