Recently a reader left a comment for me about an unfortunate interview in which Dr. Drew discusses celiac disease and leaky gut with a famous actress.
As those of us with celiac disease know, we are often questioned (not always in a constructive manner) by family and friends who do not understand the medical challenges we face.
Here is what we are often told about our conditions and the steps we take to remediate them:
- just a little bit won’t hurt you (fill in that sentence with gluten or other substances that make you ill)
- it’s all in your head
- you’re just following the latest fad
These types of questions are not malicious, they come from a place of ignorance and lack of education.
Unfortunately, it seemed that during his show, Dr. Drew was not entirely aware or informed when it came to his subject matter and did not display a comprehensive understanding of celiac disease and leaky gut. This is most regrettable as the doctor missed an opportunity to educate his audience on a disease that is widespread in the American population and around the world.
Celiac awareness and education is much farther along in other countries; in fact, in Italy, children are tested for celiac disease before they reach the age of 6. Celiac disease meets the World Health Organization standards for universal screening and is considered an epidemic by this organization.
Here is the video in which Dr. Drew takes a less than sympathetic tone towards an individual with celiac disease and leaky gut:
As you can see from the video Dr. Drew is not familiar with leaky gut and does not entirely understand the concept of this medical disorder. Dr. Drew, here is a description of leaky gut from Dr. Andrew Weil, who says that leaky gut:
..affects the lining of the intestines. The theory is that leaky gut syndrome (also called increased intestinal permeability), is the result of damage to the intestinal lining, making it less able to protect the internal environment as well as to filter needed nutrients and other biological substances. As a consequence, some bacteria and their toxins, incompletely digested proteins and fats, and waste not normally absorbed may “leak” out of the intestines into the blood stream. This triggers an autoimmune reaction.
Leaky gut can lead to the following disorders:
- chronic inflammation
- food allergies
- skin rashes
- joint pain
- fatigue
So, here is my urgent plea to Dr. Drew: please use your platform as a public persona to further education regarding medical issues, rather than perpetuating common stereotypes and misinformation. This is a small request from those of us in the celiac community who work so hard in the name of celiac awareness and education.
Now is the time to rectify the unfortunate interview of Jennifer Esposito with a story on what celiac disease actually is and how it impacts the lives of millions of Americans. Leave a comment below if you wish to urge Dr. Drew to remedy this situation.
PS says
My mother was a psych nurse who worked with Dr. Drew at a psychiatric hospital back when he was on KROQ’s Loveline and when his celebrity career was just starting. My mother was star-struck with him, and at the time, so was I… but I also started hearing rumors of him being an arrogant know it all jerk even then.
Looks like the rumors are true and that he does indeed believe he knows it all. It doesn’t make him right… it just pigeonholes him with a lot of other people in the mental health field who think they have all the answers and that they’re better than everyone else.
Most of his career has been working with psychiatric conditions and drug addictions and he should therefore keep his professional opinions in that realm, not in subjects where he doesn’t have a clue. He might have studied internal medicine but that was decades ago, and well before we knew what we do now about celiac. I wouldn’t trust his opinion on this subject half as far as I could throw him.
Kimberly says
It took me 10 years to find a doctor that diagnosed “leaky gut syndrome”. It would be helpful to doctors and people who suffer these symptoms to be made aware of how it works. Please use your media as an educator giving the facts.
Nicole says
Dr Drew needs to remember that he is a healthcare provider first and a tv personality second. He had horrible “bedside” manner. Seeing as he knew what the topic was going to be he could have at least googled Celiac disease to get a basic understanding. I can completely relate to her frustration an hopefully now it will be seen as more than “trendy” condition.
Beverly says
I was pleased toward the end when Dr Drew finally started listening and let Jennifer complete her sentences and thoughts. He seemed to be trying to sensationalize the story at the beginning. TV marketing games strike again.
CBS needs to make up with Jennifer. Not sure what is going on but the new actress “replacing” Jennifer on Blue Bloods seems ackward in the role. Maybe the writers are still writing for Jennifer and the new actress just can’t pull it off.
Anne says
I sincerely hope this man is not practising as a GP. He is rude, speaking over his guest, not listening to her at all, and ignorant beyond belief. What an unprofessional Dr.
Christine Grice says
I have always felt that Dr. Drew is quite a compassionate man, but he clearly did not understand the gravity or the frustration Jennifer was trying to get across. Thank you Jennifer for putting yourself out there for all of us, and for your superb composure in the face of ignorance!!
Mary Waldner says
Well said, Elana. Even if we excuse the hostility displayed by Dr. Drew, he clearly was trying to reach a larger audience by continuously focusing Ms. Esposito on “what most people can relate to.” Meanwhile, he missed an opportunity to educate “most people” on this common and hugely undiagnosed disease. Sadly, he seems to reflect the ignorance in the medical community in the U.S. Hope he listens to his audience.
Pam says
Education on just celiac disease would help him but his personality, mannerism, out right rudeness are things that can’t be changed. He’s a jerk, plain and simple. And good grief, stop running over your ‘guest’! Condescending, arrogant, no listening, un-informed…
Jennifer held up to him well but he’s the exact kind of doctor that is the problem with this disease.
Camron says
Here is a petition online asking Dr. Drew for an apology to the Celiac Community.
http://www.change.org/petitions/dr-drew-show-on-headline-news-we-would-like-a-public-apology-to-the-celiac-disease-community
Sheila says
Just signed the petition. Hope lots more do. I was really surprised at the tone of Dr. Drew at the beginning of the interview. Maybe he doesn’t believe there is such a disease as celiac.
Nancy says
An apology is needed. I will visit the site to sign.
Thanks for informing us.
Joan Z. Rough says
This is a doctor I wouldn’t go to even if you offered me millions of dollars. He needs help with his attitude and needs to keep up with what is going on out in the big world.