Cirencester Coeliac sufferer offers advice (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester Coeliac sufferer offers advice

4:00pm Friday 29th June 2012 in News By Ian Craig

A COELIAC sufferer from Cirencester who has battled the disease for 10 years has offered advice to others coping with the condition.

Karen Langfield, 38, was diagnosed with the disease in her mid-20s, meaning she is unable to eat anything containing gluten.

Her mother also suffered from the disease, and her three-year-old son Benjamin was also recently diagnosed with the illness.

She said one of the hardest parts of suffering from the disease is having to be careful with the food she eats.

“Anything with flour in is a no-go, so you can’t just grab a sandwich or a sausage roll like other people might do,” she said.

“I usually make my own food at home and take it with me.

“There’s so much advice out there – look on the internet and join groups to meet other coeliac sufferers – we will be able to answer any questions you have.”

Sufferers of the disease risk damaging their digestive system if they eat anything with gluten in, and in some cases infection can lead to intestinal cancer.

Mrs Langfield’s advice comes as coeliac sufferers were invited to a road show at Cheltenham Town Hall on Thursday.

Sufferers of the disease were able to meet experts and learn ways they can cope.

Minchinhampton-based GP Dr David Pouncey gave a keynote speech at the event, and said it was important coeliac sufferers realised they could get gluten-free food on prescription.

“By providing coeliac sufferers access to gluten-free food on prescription, they are able to consume the essentials which they need to live a healthy life and which they might otherwise be unable to afford,” he added.