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.
Tammy McIlwain says
I find that Dr’s who do not understand or dot believe in certain diagnosis tend to speak down to patients by cutting them off, not allowing you to finish your thoughts, speaking over you, and veering to a different subject whether in an interview or their office is quite prevalent today. It was not made clear that you can have leaky gut because of any intestinal desease such as Celiac’s, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s, IBS etc. Because it is Autioimune and inflamatory it is also going to affect your nervous system. Leaky Gut is very debilitating and is very difficult for a patient to get help from the medical community. Usually a person has this for years until you are unable to function and have a good quality of life. I am sure I have Leaky Gut but, I am told I am doing everything I possibly can and yet I am unable to work as I have pain, anxiety.panic attacks, many allergic reactions to food and am completely exhausted all the time along with many other maladies. It is time for the medical community to learn more about this disease and help their patients instead of making us feel helpless.
zosia says
that’s hard to watch…dr. drew makes himself out to be a knuckle-head…(i’m being nice, by the way…)
Shelly says
He’s another PUPPET of the control media. I felt bad for Jennifer, but she did great I think I would have bit his head off. I didn’t care for him before, and I see that will not change.
Krissy says
He was so rude and unprofessional, it’s like he wanted to help discredit her some how–is he working with the attorneys of CBS?
I really hope this reaches him and he can educate himself. I really don’t know what he was trying to accomplish. You have to give her credit for really not losing it completely with Dr. Drew!
Bee says
Sorry, couldn’t read all 75 messages, so please forgive if I repeat what may have already been said. (To be honest, all the comments on Dr. Drew’s manner were starting to give me acid reflux…)
He may have once been a doctor, but he threw that out when he entered the world of yellow journalism. His over-bearing, condescending manner in which he tried to “manage” Jennifer and direct her to his own conclusions, reminded me of how doctors used to speak to women 20-30 years ago, when they were ignored, patted on the head and given Valium for ANYTHING that ailed them. They created a generation of addicts.
I had that phase “I’m a doctor” or “who’s the doctor?” thrown at me more than once in order to shut me up if I challenged their prognosis or questioned their advice. I’m not a malcontent nor a hater and I don’t challenge all doctors (there are many fine, dedicated physicians should you care to look for them), but both I and my husband were misdiagnosed and had our repeated symptoms dismissed only to find out later when we persisted, that we had life threatening diseases that were completely missed because of their arrogance and lack of accountability. (If you’re wondering which ones they were…brain aneurysms and stage 3 colon cancer. Both conditions that I think would be pretty hard to miss.)
Frankly, Dr. Drew’s ego is bigger than his brain and I never watch him because I can’t stand the underlying arrogance that comes through when he speaks.
Trust me, you don’t need him as a spokesman for Celiac Disease. That would be giving him an importance that he doesn’t deserve. He should only be made to apologize for the way he treated Jennifer and to the sufferers of this life altering disease. If the public needs to be educated…find someone we call all respect.
Janet says
I have always liked watching Dr. Drew. After seeing this segment I will never think of him the same way again. I was disgusted in the way he interviewed his guest. He really did a disservice to his audience, who could have been educated about Celiac Disease and leaky gut. Thank you for sharing this Elana.
Lois says
Jennifer Esposito was so calm and poised especially when being smacked in the face by “Dr.” Drew. Drew, you might actually have a medical degree, but in my opinion, from what I saw on this broadcast, you are just newshound like any other reporter that wants his “moment”. You should decide whether you want to be a doctor or a newscaster or your own show.
Personally, I would never watch you on your own show. And, I don’t think you are even a good medical doctor.
You didn’t evern give Jennefer a chance to answer the questions you fired at her – shame on you!
Kathy says
I have always liked Dr. Drew, but I am amazed by his ignorance regarding the effects of small intestine permeability – malnutrition, food allergies and their link to autoimmune conditions. Unfortunately there are so many doctors out there who don’t entirely understand it’s effects on the body and how very sick it can make you. He was almost condescending. Jennifer handled herself really well but how frustrating. Dr. Oz did a great show on leaky gut and food allergies. I wish other doctors would follow suit and educate themselves on this very real problem affecting so many of us.
Terri says
Dr. Drew just proved his own ignorance along with so many other Drs.
My husband also went to the Dr. many, many times. All his blood tests came back ‘within normal ranges’ and no offer to do any more tests. Finally, with the help of a naturopath, he was diagnosed and within one week felt so much better.
Dr. Drew would gain back any credibility he had, and help others, if he would educate himself on this topic and do another show.
I’m very proud of Jennifer for keeping her cool during this man’s disrespectful interruptions.
Marguerite says
Dr Drew is a physician who specializes in Addiction medicine. what we witnessed is an interrogation process reserved for individuals one does not believe is being truthful. he thought her situation was due to substance abuse. he ended with you were working too hard and “for whatever reason” you became ill…
he did not believe her.
David says
I am also trained in addictions counselor and have treated clients. One thing you are trained to do is listen. Not necessarily believe, but listen.
You do not interrupt a patient, minimize her statements or invalidate her experiences. This is actually abuse from which the patient is seeking to recover. Dr. Drew was very rude. One trait a medical practitioner needs is compassion and empathy.