Naperville Integrated Wellness
NAPERVILLE'S TOP RATED LOCAL® FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE FACILITY
Do you wonder if you have an Autoimmune Disease?
Maybe you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and want to know more about how it can be treated with functional medicine.
If so, read on… Signs of potential autoimmunity include persistent fatigue, joint pain and swelling, muscle weakness, skin problems, digestive symptoms, unexplained weight changes, hair loss, temperature sensitivity, cognitive issues, and mood changes. These symptoms may indicate underlying autoimmune activity, although they can also be associated with other health conditions. It’s crucial to seek evaluation from a healthcare professional, particularly one familiar with autoimmune diseases, for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. Simply stated, autoimmunity occurs when the body begins making antibodies that result in damage to body tissues. What are antibodies? They are proteins that identify and neutralize foreign objects such as viruses and bacteria. Essentially, antibodies tag things for destruction and send signals to other immune cells to cause destruction to the proteins that are tagged. In cases of autoimmunity, antibodies tag body proteins and can send a signal that results in damage to our own tissues.
Do You Wonder If You Have An Autoimmunity
Autoimmunity – The Breakdown
What causes autoimmunity?
The exact cause is unknown.
What we do know is that genetics plays a role as does environment (exposures). As a basic genetic factor, being a female makes one be predisposed to an autoimmune disease. Several environmental exposures, including those to smoke, silica dust, and solvents, have been linked to autoimmune diseases.
Stress can be a trigger for autoimmune disease. Stress disorders may lead to impairment of the immune system and subsequent autoimmune disease.
Nutritional deficiencies can have an impact. The most common nutrient deficiencies linked to autoimmunity include B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin A, omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, and magnesium.
Poor gut health and infections may trigger and worsen an autoimmune condition. Leaky gut, a common gut condition, may lead to proteins crossing the intestinal barrier, getting into the body where it triggers the immune system. This can lead to autoimmunity via molecular mimicry (food proteins may be similar to human proteins and can cause a reaction against body tissues).
The hallmark of autoimmunity is INFLAMMATION. So, when a person has chronic inflammation, it is important to evaluate and uncover the cause. When inflammation is caused by autoimmunity, this can lead to tissue destruction, abnormal growth of an organ or tissue, change in organ function, or a combination of these things.
What are the types of autoimmune disorders?
Some examples include:
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Grave’s Disease
- Hashimoto’s Disease
- Crohn’s Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Psoriasis/Psoriatic Arthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Sjogren’s Syndrome
- Celiac Disease
What are some of the symptoms that are found with autoimmunity?
- Joint & muscle aches and pains
- Bloating, constipation, diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Blood/mucus in stool
- Food sensitivities/reactions
- Acid reflux (GERD)
- Nausea
- Skin rash/itching
- Dry eyes/mouth/skin
- Fatigue
- Weight gain/loss
- Temperature sensitivity
- Brain fog
- Confusion/difficulty thinking clearly
How do you find out if you have autoimmunity?
Have a qualified professional obtain a thorough history, a comprehensive blood panel, including appropriate antibody testing.
What can be done about autoimmunity?
First, it is important to understand, there is no ‘cure’ for autoimmunity.
Conventional medicine treatment for autoimmune conditions includes immunosuppressant pharmaceutical drugs. These medications weaken the immune system and can result in a decrease in the symptoms of the condition. However, these drugs also suppress the body’s ability to fight off any organisms that a patient may be exposed to.
What is functional medicine and how can it help you to diagnose and treat your autoimmune disease?
Functional medicine is a model of health care that offers a patient-centered approach to identifying and treating chronic disease. The purpose is to identify the underlying cause of a patient’s illness, including triggers such as poor nutrition, stress, toxic exposure to create the best treatment strategy.
In addition to obtaining this patient information, a functional medicine doctor will utilize comprehensive blood testing and other functional medicine testing to further identify what may be contributing to a person’s symptoms. Once the root cause is determined, a plan of action is created and implemented. A functional medicine plan is a collaborative plan that requires the patient to be an active participant. With time and commitment, a patient with an autoimmune condition can make great strides toward improved health and quality of life. Naperville integrated Wellness looks to treat autoimmune disease naturally. Learn more about our autoimmune diet and our focal point of looking to the root of the problem now.
Take the time to do your research so that you can make an informed decision on the next steps in your wellness journey. It is my sincere hope for you to find abundant health, happiness and an improved quality of life! –Dr. Sharon Borkowski ND, DC
If you would like more information about functional medicine, autoimmune doctor and integrative medicine, go to napervilleintegratedwellness.com
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This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional healthcare services. Contact our office for more information.