When I tell people that I am gluten intolerant or have food allergies, their initial reaction is that I must have some sort of psychological problem or be an unusually picky eater. I have been traveling in Asia for the last two months and visiting an ashram in Kerala, India. Over the last two weeks, I have developed gastritis. The medical professionals who are treating me are Western and Indian. After several weeks of stomach problems, one nurse from the America suggested my indigestion and diarrhea was the result of stress. According to her, gluten and lactose intolerance were manifestations of unresolved emotional problems. She also suggested that the gluten free movement was a fad. I am educated as a psychotherapist and was surprised that a medical professional would be so judgmental and uninformed.
It would be unusual to be treated so disrespectfully in the United States, where there is a strong gluten free movement. Many restaurants and grocery stores have vegan, gluten free and lactose free food selections and menus. However, some conventional medical professionals still dismiss gluten intolerance as a nonexistent medical diagnosis. In the last few months, I have been told that my stomach problems were the result of stress, emotional issues, or a figment of my imagination. No one considered my gastrointestinal problems and diarrhea may be the result of cross contamination, accidentally ingesting wheat, eating poor quality foods, or amoebas. India is a notorious place for people to experience gastrointestinal distress. The dismissive way I was treated by the medical professionals in the ashram is surprising especially in an international community. While restaurants in the United States may receive training in gluten free food preparation, many medical professionals and lay people know remarkably little about wheat allergies or gluten intolerance. There is a noticeable lack of sensitivity or even sympathy from some medical professionals regarding the issue. My experience over the last few weeks has caused me to ponder what should be done to educate medical professionals about celiac disease and gluten intolerance.
Clearly, there is a lack of understanding regarding gluten intolerance and celiac disease. Food allergies and food sensitivities are not non-issues. People with food allergies are not mentally ill. I wonder if my recent negative experience with the medical establishment is common among other people who suffer from gluten intolerance or celiac disease. I suspect many people have had similar experiences. In that case, improved education and training of medical professionals regarding celiac disease and gluten intolerance is necessary to improve the competency and sensitivity of medical professionals around the world.
