Suburbs Park Ridge Herald-Advocate Park Ridge News

Hospital's gluten-free open house offers stress-free Halloween experience

   Advocate Childrenʼs Hospital Outpatient Center
   Advocate Children's Hospital Outpatient Center
   Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press
   Margad Ganbold, 3, of Mount Prospect, plays a game at the Gluten-Free
   Halloween Open House on Oct. 22, 2016 at the Advocate Children's
   Hospital Outpatient Center.
   Margad Ganbold, 3, of Mount Prospect, plays a game at the Gluten-Free
   Halloween Open House on Oct. 22, 2016 at the Advocate Children's
   Hospital Outpatient Center. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)
   Karie Angell Luc Karie Angell LucPioneer Press

   Several years ago, Jennifer Miles of Northbrook had itchy elbows and
   visited her doctor, who diagnosed her with a gluten allergy. Now her
   son Jack Miles, 7, a St. Norbert School of Northbrook second-grader,
   has celiac disease.

   Jack showed no symptoms, but he was tested two years ago by his doctor.
   Results came back positive for gluten allergies. Jack's brother Sean
   Miles, 9, a St. Norbert School third-grader, does not have celiac
   disease. But the boys' mother agrees gluten-free dietary changes impact
   the whole family, including during the Halloween season.

   On Oct. 22, the boys received treats at the Gluten-Free Halloween Open
   House at the Advocate Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in the
   Yacktman Pavilion in Park Ridge.

   Maine East High School students from the National Art Honor Society
   were volunteers. The fourth annual event was free and also included
   families with no gluten allergies.

   "It's great to have events like these to bring awareness to celiac
   disease but also to know that I can bring my children here and
   everything is safe," Jennifer Miles said.

   Candy such as Tootsie Rolls, Skittles and milk chocolate M&M's were
   offered as diet safe Halloween treats.

   "The idea behind it (the party) is that it's Halloween, and basically,
   they can come here to have a stress-free experience where they
   (parents) don't have to read labels, worrying that kids could have a
   reaction to gluten," said Carrie Eck of Park Ridge, a nutritionist at
   Advocate and the event coordinator.

   Eck said there are some children with celiac disease who might be the
   only student in a school with that medical diagnosis. Symptoms can
   include an upset stomach to a range of effects. She said some children
   get embarrassed and upset they can't have certain birthday cakes at
   parties or some school pizza types plus fast food sold at community
   events.

   But, Eck said, "kids with celiac disease can have a normal Halloween
   experience."

   Dr. Esperanza Garcia-Alvarez, a pediatric gastroenterologist and Center
   for Children's Digestive Health medical director, said she has seen
   preteen-aged patients cry during consults. This is partly because
   adolescents tire what often can be years of dietary challenges,
   Garcia-Alvarez said.

   "It's not what they cannot eat, it's what they can eat," Garcia-Alvarez
   said.

   The best and most current way to manage celiac disease is to follow the
   diet, Garcia-Alvarez advises.

   "Right now, the only known therapies are gluten-free," she said. "The
   only thing we know is a gluten-free diet."

   The snapshot of celiac disease depicts vaccine research and
   pharmaceutical companies perfecting medications to block inflammatory
   symptoms, she said. Garcia-Alvarez said experts have seen the number of
   diagnoses increase.

   "It's awareness for doctors about celiac disease," Garcia-Alvarez said.
   "It's education, education and education."

   Karie Angell Luc is a freelance photographer and reporter for Pioneer
   Press.
   Copyright © 2016, Chicago Tribune
     * Medical Research
     * Diseases and Illnesses
     * Nutrition Research
     * Nutrition
     * Celiac Disease

     * [70x70]
    Advocate Children's Hospital Outpatient Center
     * [70x70]
    Christmas meal for Navy recruits
     * [70x70]
    Photos of the year, as seen by our photographers
     __________________________________________________________________
     __________________________________________________________________

     * Breaking
     * Sports
     * Trending
     * Opinion
     * Suburbs
     * Entertainment
     * Business
     * Advertising

   27°