PAULA Heard is among the estimated one-in-every-100 people in the United Kingdom to suffer coeliac disease - but she went undiagnosed for 21 years.

Mrs Heard, from Dibdin Close, Ringland, Newport, endured pain and discomfort through her teens into her early 30s because she was unaware she required a special diet.

But though she says knowledge and management of the condition has improved considerably in the 22 years since her diagnosis, she will still support charity Coeliac UK's awareness week from May14-20, with its theme of raising awareness of the need for early diagnosis.

Sufferers cannot absorb fat through the intestines. A gluten-free diet - wheat, rye, barley and oats are ruled out - is the only treatment, as gluten damages the lining membrane of the intestines, in turn affecting the ability to absorb fat.

"I became aware of a problem when I was 12 and I was 33 when I was diagnosed," said Mrs Heard, now 55.

"My daughter had terrible problems as a baby and she was diagnosed with it, so was my niece, and that was the clue for me.

"I used to suffer bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting and severe stomach cramps. It is very debilitating.

"After diagnosis I had to learn how to cook and bake again, and eating out is difficult. The first fairy cakes I made were so hard even the dog couldn't eat them!"

Coeliac UK believes at least one-in-100 people have the disease, but many do not know.

The disease is genetic and the most common age for diagnosis is 50.

"There is a biopsy and blood test now for diagnosis, but approaches to the disease and how to manage it vary," said Mrs Heard.

"People are affected in different ways, some are more sensitive than others, and approaches to treatment can be different among doctors."

Further information is available from Coeliac UK on the helpline - 0870 444 8804 - or the website at www.coeliac.org.uk