Why Am I Always Sick?

SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire - August 11, 2009) - Millions of Americans suffer from headaches, stomach problems and other ailments like shortness of breath, abdominal pain, or even more long-term ailments like eczema and hypoglycemia. What's worse, these ailments go untreated because the cause is unclear.

The answer for many of these patients could likely be a simple food allergy, but it is difficult to detect, according to Dr. Stephen Wangen, author of "Healthier Without Wheat" from Innate Health Publishing (www.healthierwithoutwheat.com).

"The number of people who react to wheat and gluten, and the profound difference seen in their lives when they stop eating them, never ceases to amaze me," Dr. Wangen said. "People need to arm themselves with the facts, and they need to change the way they think about their health so they can address treatment with their physicians."

Wheat gluten is a common ingredient in foods we eat every day -- including bread, pizza, pasta and others -- so, it's effects can sometimes go undiagnosed. Wangen believes undiagnosed patients can benefit from a few tips:

--  Don't self-diagnose because of TV drug ads - Many pharmaceutical
    advertisements may describe symptoms similar to yours, but don't be fooled
    by them and simply ask your doctor for the prescription du jour. If
    traditional treatments haven't worked, then ask your doctor to test for
    food allergies. Ask for Gliadin IgA testing (available from most major
    labs), Total IgA plus tissue Transglutaminase IgA (tTIgA) test pair
    (available from most major labs), ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)
    method IgG and IgE testing for gluten or the entire grain (wheat, barley,
    spelt, kamut, rye, etc.) Some of these tests may not be readily available.
    If your doctor cannot perform them, find one who will.
    
--  Change your philosophy on health - People's default position should be
    one of being healthy. If you suffer symptoms, make it a point to find out
    why, and seek out treatment to correct the problem.
    
--  Wellness Visit - Because of the poor economy, many people cannot
    afford to miss work to see their doctor for a wellness visit in order to
    seek answers to their minor symptoms.
    

About Dr. Stephen Wangen

Dr. Stephen Wangen is a nationally recognized expert in the field of gluten intolerance, a gluten-intolerant physician and co-founder of the IBS Treatment Center.

Contact Information: Contact: Rachel Friedman Rachel@newsandexperts.com