COELIAC UK, the national charity for people with coeliac disease will be celebrating its awareness campaign in May (12-18).

The charity has released a copy of CRUMBS, ten things you may not know about coeliac disease...

1. 1 in 100 people in the UK have coeliac disease.

2. Half a million people with the condition currently undiagnosed in the UK today.

3. Average time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis is 13 years.

4. 1 in 4 people diagnosed with coeliac disease had previously been diagnosed with IBS.

5. Undiagnosed coeliac disease can lead to infertility, osteoporosis and small bowel cancer.

6. There is no cure and no medication and the only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet for life.

7. Coeliac disease is not an allergy or a food intolerance but an autoimmune disease caused by intolerance to gluten.

8. One crumb of gluten can make someone ill, so it is essential there is no cross contamination whilst preparing and serving food.

9. There is no register by the NHS to state how many people in the UK have been diagnosed with coeliac disease.

10. Coeliac UK has an average of 1200 new members joining each month – membership is available for anyone diagnosed, seeking a diagnosis, supporting a friend or a relative, or trying to find out more about the gluten-free diet.

Gold medal winning cyclist Craig Maclean, who has the condition, is supporting the launch of the ‘Gluten-free Guarantee’ campaign. Information: www.coeliac.org.uk/gfg