You didn't really say that!

It all started when one of The group shared that she had watched a TV program and  discovered that corn doesn't contain gluten, prompting our discussing current buzz words.....as in "gluten intolerant."   I voiced that I was personally of the opinion that while there are those folks out there who must avoid gluten,  much of the hullabaloo about gluten intolerance is that it is just the current buzz word and it's a way to draw attention to self.   The eyebrows did raise when several in the group began to name those is their family that were indeed self-proclaimed "gluten intolerant."

 

Feeling shamed, I came home to do some fact-finding, as best I could.   In the opinion of those who are in the medical field and have done the research, there are those who are diagnosed with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder in which foods containing gluten trigger the immune system to attack the small intestine.  Foods containing the wheat, barley and rye grains must be avoided.

Then, there are those who may have gluten allergies.  There are five known allergies and may be triggered by different factors such as pregnancy, child birth, stress, and so on.   I pulled my information from "About Health."

"People have used the term "gluten intolerance" at various times to mean different conditions, all of which have one thing in common: the person involved had a reaction after eating gluten.
The term "gluten intolerance" is now considered to be non-specific and outdated, and the respective condition is instead generally referred to as non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). But in years past, clinicians and researchers sometimes used "gluten intolerance" interchangeably with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder in which foods containing gluten trigger the immune system to attack the small intestine.

"At the same time, others both in and outside the medical community used "gluten intolerance" to refer to people who experienced unpleasant symptoms following gluten ingestion, but who did not have celiac disease.  The differing definitions of "gluten intolerance" generated a fair amount of confusion both among physicians and among people who suffered from a gluten-related disorder.
 

"Now, however, top researchers in the field have stated that they prefer the term "non-celiac gluten sensitivity" to other similar terms, including "gluten intolerance," for someone who gets symptoms from gluten but who does not have celiac disease or another gluten-related disorder. To avoid confusion, these experts are urging the medical community to move away from use of the term "gluten intolerance."

I am truly not making light of the celiac disease,  just trying to put 'gluten intolerance' in perspective....in my mind, anyway.  Continuing with my research, I ran across an article that listed signs and symptons....a list, not all inclusive:

gas, bloating

bone and joint pain

depression

diarrhea

fluid retention

foul smelling stool

persistent hunger

nose bleeding

vertigo

obesity

sometimes the symptons are not clear and the patient just generally feels unwell  (my personal favorite symptom) 

Okay....well, now I have a few of these signs and symptons but I just thought they were associated with growing older, over-eating and not drinking enough water!  Little did I know - I am self-diagnosed gluten intolerant!!

But wait:   The story gets better as I continue to dig myself a little deeper into the pit....another drama word, buzz word, ADHD.   I continued with my opinion to the group that probably all children are not ADHD, but are children who have stored up energy from sitting in front of a television or computer far too long.  They are children of working parents and grandparents who don't have time (or energy)  to deal with their energetic child so medication is their answer.   I'm sure there are children with medical issues, but not every energized child should be grouped in that category.  Some children just need to be pushed out the door with a jump rope or a basketball and gather all the other energized children in the neighborhood to have a bit of fun....so much fun that they will be too tired to beg for chocolate or cola just before bedtime. 

Disclaimer #1:  I eat just about anything and everything that's put in front of me with no adverse reaction....well, maybe some gas or bloating,  fluid retention and obesity.  

Disclaimer #2:  I have no hyperactive children.   I would have pushed them all out the door for a good dose of sunshine and exercise,  friendship gathering and horseplay. 

You may or may not take me seriously.  There are other current buzz words that bug me, but I won't go there.  Not today, anyway.   

Happiness is having a sense of humor even as we hurt.  I'm slowly loosing every acquaintance I once had! 

When, oh when, will I learn to keep my opinions to self?