GRAIN PAINS
If you’re experiencing
bloating, diarrhea, or
constipation and suspect
that gluten might be the
culprit, check with your
doctor. To find one on
our medical staff, visit
TAKE A SHOT AT THE FLU
Protect yourself and your family from the flu virus this
year with a little help from our medical staff. Find a
provider at
Rumor has it
Q:
Can the flu shot give you the flu?
A:
“Definitely not,” says Jo Anne King, DO,
family medicine physician at Methodist Mansfield
Family Medicine.
“People will say, ‘A flu shot? Oh, no — it gave me the
flu last time.’ But since it takes about two weeks for full
immunity to develop, it’s more likely that the individual
was exposed to the flu or another illness before getting
the shot. So the earlier you get vaccinated, the better.”
Dr. King says people occasionally develop mild body
aches, fatigue, muscle pain, and fever as the body’s
immune response kicks in. The symptoms usually last
only a day or so.
A growing number of foods are now available
without gluten — a protein found in foods
with barley, wheat, or rye — which is good
news for people who have either celiac
disease or gluten sensitivity.
But because the two conditions aren’t
the same, doctors urge caution before
adopting a gluten-free diet.
“Celiac disease is an autoimmune
disorder that causes serious damage
to the small intestine when foods with
gluten are ingested,” says Muhammad
Memon, MD, gastroenterologist at
Methodist Mansfield Medical Center.
“Gluten sensitivity is more akin to an
allergic response. People with sensitivity
may experience abdominal distress when
they eat gluten, much like celiac patients, but
they’re not at risk for permanent damage.”
While a lifelong gluten-free diet is a must
for people with celiac disease, that’s not the
case for people with gluten sensitivity. They
may just need to avoid gluten — or certain
types of foods with gluten — for a short time.
“Foods with gluten tend to be rich in
essential fiber and minerals, so only avoid
them if it’s absolutely necessary,” Dr. Memon
says. “Long-term avoidance can cause
problems, especially without making other
modifications to your diet.”
GLUTEN-FREE
Should you go
against the grain?
4
Methodist Mansfield Medical Center
•
❁
Fall 2014
TO YOUR HEALTH
▸
