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Autoimmune Disease

What Happens When Your Immune System Loses Control

Gentle Exercise Like Yoga or Pilates Helps Individuals with Autoimmune Disorders
Gentle Exercise Like Yoga or Pilates Helps Individuals with Autoimmune Disorders











Your Immune System

  • Set of organs, cells, proteins, and other substances that function to prevent infection.

  • Houses blood cells called T lymphocytes (T cells) to help protect against harmful substances containing antigens.

  • Produces antibodies against antigens to destroy harmful substances such as:

Toxins

Bacteria

Hormones

Viruses

Cancer Cells



Autoimmune Disorders

  • There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases that affect a wide range of body parts.

  • Affects millions of Americans at all ages.

  • Occurs when the body's immune system cannot distinguish between healthy tissue and harmful antigens attacking healthy tissue.

  • Most autoimmune diseases are chronic but can be controlled with treatment.

  • Symptoms can come and go. This is referred to as a “flare-up”.


Causes Exact cause is unknown though scientists suspect the following:

  • Microorganisms-Bacteria & Viruses

  • Family History - May occur more in people genetically prone to autoimmune disorders

  • Smoking

  • Female Gender -78% of people who have an autoimmune disease are women

  • Environmental Toxins (metals, non-metals, mycotoxins)

  • Intestinal Permeability or "leaky gut" (inflammatory diet)



Organs or Tissue Types Affected

  • Blood Vessels

  • Connective Tissues

  • Endocrine Glands – Thyroid, Pancreas

  • Muscles/Joints

  • Nervous System

  • GI Tract

  • Skin/Hair


Common Autoimmune Disorders

  • Celiac Disease

  • Eczema/Psoriasis

  • Graves Disease

  • Hashimoto Thyroiditis

  • Multiple Sclerosis

  • Raynaud's Disease

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's/Ulcerative Colitis)

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • Sjögren Syndrome

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

  • Type I Diabetes

  • Vitiligo/Alopecia


Symptoms Vary based on type and location of faulty immune response.

  • Fatigue

  • Fever

  • Joint Pain

  • Changes in Bowel Function

  • Rash

  • Brain Fog


Testing For Autoimmune Disorders

  • Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) tests

  • Autoantibody tests (TPO, thyroglobulin antibodies, rheumatoid factor/RF)

  • Complete Blood Count (CBC) with White Blood Cell Differential (CBC with WBC differential)

  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

  • C-reactive protein (CRP)

  • Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

  • Urinalysis

  • AVISE-Advanced autoimmune lab testing

  • Tissue biopsy



Treatment Treatments depend on disease and symptoms. Types of treatments include:

  • Healing Leaky Gut

  • Reinforce the Body's Normal Immune Response - LDN/low dose naltrexone, thymic peptides, immune supporting supplements (zinc, D, quercetin, vitamin C, etc)

  • Remove Environmental Contributors (molds, metals, pesticides, household chemicals, unfiltered water)

  • Manage Symptoms (ie optimize hormone levels if these are affected)

  • Supplement Lacking Substances Autoimmune Disease Created (ie thyroid hormone, cortisol)

  • Physical Therapy-Helps with movement of bones, joints, or muscles

  • Infrared Sauna/Detox Support



Medications Medicines used in conventional practice that suppress the immune system can cause severe side effects, such as higher risk for infections and cancer. These include:

  • Immunosuppressive Drugs-Reduce abnormal response of immune system

  • Corticosteroids

  • Prednisone

  • Non-steroid drugs

  • Azathioprine

  • Cyclophosphamide

  • Mycophenolate

  • Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Blockers

  • Interleukin Inhibitors

  • LDN

  • Hydroxychloroquine

  • Thymic peptides


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