Doctors use music to raise awareness on disease

Organised by The Celiac Society of Delhi at India Habitat Centre,the event had doctors talking about the disease and the need for correct diagnosis. To make sure their message got across,they paired it up with a musical performance.

Celiac disease is a condition in which the individual is intolerant to gluten (a protein found in cereals such as wheat). If undiagnosed,it can prove to be fatal or even lead to cancer. The treatment requires the patient to go on a gluten-free diet,a doctor at the event said.

“The diagnosis of this condition and its management,particularly in our country,at present,is poor. This is because not many are aware that celiac is a common ailment and can happen at any age. It can manifest itself in diverse ways and in varying degrees. The symptoms are often silent,” Ishi Khosla,founder-president of Celiac Society,said.

“Several cases are often mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome,Crohn’s disease,tuberculosis or a form of auto-immune disorder. This undiagnosed population is over a crore in our country. They have a huge risk of getting life-threatening maladies,” she said.

It has been found that nearly 10 million (1 per cent of India’s population) suffer from it,a doctor said.

The guest of honour was C K Mishra,additional secretary to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.