Although quiescent since a significant thermal event in 1975, Mount Baker, in Washington, continues degassing from fumaroles in Sherman Crater, indicating the presence of a connection to an active magmatic system at depth. The apparent equilibrium condition of the crater glacier between 2003 and 2008, despite lying well above the regional equilibrium line altitude, suggests that melting of basal ice by heat flux from fumaroles and heated ground must balance the glacier's positive surface mass-balance. My investigation of glacial and geothermal dynamics in Sherman Crater between 2009 and 2010 provides the first rigorous quantitative assessment of the Sherman Crater glacier: ice volume, flow direction and velocity, annual mass balance and characteristics of the material below its base. Heat flux is derived from these constraints by two methods: the glacier calorimetry method of Welch et al. (2007) and the thermal grounds method of Frank et al. (1977). Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) transects across the crater glacier yield a maximum ice thickness of ~40 m W.E. and volume of ~1.3 million m3 W.E. for 2009 and ~66 m W.E. and volume of ~2.1 million m3 W.E. for 2010, assuming a standard velocity of EM-waves through ice of 0.151 m/ns and an average ice density of 700 kg/m3. The measured annual mass balance in 2009 of ~4.0 m of snow and ice and derived heat flux range of ~18 to ~28 W/m2 are comparable to values at active but quiescent volcanoes. The glacier flows northward at a rate of ~3 cm/day and rests on a base of hydrothermally altered regolith with thin meltwater layers. Because the glacier's total volume in 2009 is ~2/3 of the inferred volume of ice melted during the 1975 unrest event (which did not produce a debris flow), the risk from meltwater-induced debris flow from Sherman Crater is low. The large fluctuation in calculated glacier volume between 2009 and 2010, however, highlights the potential for this situation to change rapidly. An increase in annual-mass balance or decrease in heat flux could affect both ice volume and the distribution of thermally exposed surfaces in the crater. The present glacier mass-gradient driving the flow of ice northward towards large areas of thermally exposed ground could be overwhelmed by an eastward directed mass-gradient, towards the East Breach, a source of debris flows since the mid-Holocene. Sherman Crater might therefore become more of a threat if volcanic activity subsides.
Researchers based in Finland and the UK recently conducted a review of existing literature on celiac disease in later life. The article, published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, highlights how celiac disease can often be missed in the elderly population due to the dismissal of subtle celiac disease symptoms, such as fatigue, as being due to old age. With few studies published focusing on celiac disease in this population, Collin et al. set out to review the occurrence, presentation, diagnosis, and management of celiac disease in later life.
While celiac disease was previously thought to be a rare condition primarily affecting children and young adults, it is now known to be one of the most common genetic autoimmune diseases worldwide, and it can present at any age. Collin et al. report that about 25% of all celiac disease diagnoses are now made in persons aged 60 or above, and approximately 60% of cases in older adults remain undetected due to vague or non-classical symptoms obscuring the diagnosis. Another factor complicating diagnosis in later life is that elderly celiac disease patients are more likely to test negative on the celiac disease blood test and have lower levels of tissue transglutaminase antibodies (a diagnostic marker for celiac disease) even while consuming a normal diet with gluten. Because of this, physicians should not immediately rule out a possible diagnosis of celiac disease in elderly patients based on a negative blood test alone if there are enough other compelling signs or symptoms of the disease.
Some question whether it is meaningful to detect celiac disease in the elderly population, especially when the symptoms are mild, arguing that the adoption of a strict, gluten-free diet is a difficult lifestyle change. The researchers from this study, however, maintain that correctly diagnosing these patients is worthwhile, as the available evidence suggests a significant improvement in quality of life on a strict, gluten-free diet. Notably, this improvement in quality of life has been demonstrated even in seemingly asymptomatic elderly patients.
Beyond improvements in quality of life, the study authors emphasize the importance of achieving the proper diagnosis and implementing treatment to improve overall health and potentially prevent severe complications, such as enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma and low-energy bone fractures. While the healing of damaged villi may be slower in elderly patients when compared to younger patients, recovery is still expected to be good with adherence to a strict diet. Collin et al. report the findings from one study by Hankey and Holmes which found strict compliance with the gluten-free diet in 90% of their elderly celiac disease patients. These results demonstrate that while making such a large lifestyle change later in life can be difficult, it is certainly possible for patients who are motivated to improve their health and quality of life.
Importantly, the study authors conclude the level of suspicion of celiac disease should be as high in older patients as it is in younger patients. This, paired with screening at-risk groups – such as those with other autoimmune diseases or a family history of celiac disease – should help increase the rate of detection of celiac disease in elderly patients so they may benefit from the gluten-free diet.
Are you looking for resources to help navigate celiac disease and the gluten-free diet in later life? Check out the Celiac Disease Foundation 7-Day Senior Gluten-Free Meal Plan and the Healthcare Facility Brochure!
The Cailleach wasn’t always the Crone of winter, her myth, just like Brighid’s, has morphed and changed over the years. In this 5 session online course we explore the great hag’s age as she has no known genealogy. We take a pilgrimage to some of her sacred sites in Ireland and Scotland. We explore her folklore which leads us back thousands of years to Old Europe. As we listen to her stoires, take a guided meditation and shamanic journey we finally question her role for our time?
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