Symptoms and Natural Treatments
Autoimmune Diseases are the result of the cells of your immune system attacking healthy cells instead of fighting off infections and diseases. The immune system becomes hyper-reactive and believes that the cells in your body are enemies instead of allies.
Most people do not know that a vast majority of your immune system is located in your digestive tract. There is a saying; ‘It’s the straw that broke the camel’s back’. This analogy is true with the gut and autoimmune connection. If your digestive tract is nice and healthy, it can offload some of the burdens of your immune system more effectively. Please note, if your doctor has ever run an autoimmune panel (ANA) and they said it came back positive but they were not able to detect any antibodies to a specific disease, you have an early autoimmune disease brewing and should seek out natural treatment options as soon as possible.
Common Autoimmune Diseases
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Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a process where your body makes antibodies to attack gluten, a protein that is found in different grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. This process creates an intense immune reaction that attacks the cells within your digestive tract.
Celiac disease is different than being gluten intolerant or sensitive. Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease, and gluten intolerance or sensitivity is not. Being gluten sensitive means having a reaction to a specific lectin found in many grains called Wheat Germ Agglutinin, or WGA.
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Connective Tissue Disease (scleroderma, polymyositis, & dermatomyositis)
Connective tissue diseases can come in a variety of forms. These include; scleroderma, polymyositis, and dermatomyositis. These diseases are due to your body attacking itself, the question being why.
Your body uses symptoms to communicate that something is wrong. In these connective tissue diseases, symptoms usually include a feeling of being unwell, a rash, joint and muscle pain, and cold or numb fingers and toes. Another possibility is Undifferentiated Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD). This diagnosis means that the disease is still in the early stages, and you can receive a natural treatment to prevent a full blown attack.
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Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease where your body is making antibodies against thyroid cells. Because your body is removing thyroid cells, your thyroid increases production of its hormone to compensate. However, the thyroid gets worn down by this process and will struggle to produce thyroid hormones. With Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, your body will need thyroid hormone support and digestive system modulation. For Blood Type O’s, for example, the research has shown they are more likely to have higher amounts of thyroid diseases. For them, the best way to control their thyroid is through the digestive system. Symptoms usually consist of dry skin, hair loss, constipation, depression, fatigue, joint pain, puffy eyes, weight gain, etc.
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Lupus (SLE)
Lupus, otherwise known as Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE), is an autoimmune disease where your body attacks itself. While it is currently unknown why this process occurs, there are natural treatments that can help.
Lupus commonly affects the skin, muscles, nerves, kidneys, and heart. Symptoms can include hair loss, mouth sores, fever, pain after taking a deep breath, weakness and fatigue, rashes, painful or swollen joints, and possibly cold fingers and hands (Reynaud’s). I like to use preventative measures to prevent a full SLE attack by understanding why the body is attacking itself. For instance, low vitamin D levels is very common in Lupus patients, and low levels can lead to poor health outcomes.
My approach focuses on why an autoimmune disease developed and how to remove it, as opposed to my Rhematologist colleagues who prefer to prescribe medications that offer more short-term solutions. My primary goal is to calm the immune system and shift its focus away from healthy tissue and towards the bad bacteria and unhealthy cells. I do work hand-in-hand with Rheumatologists so we can properly manage, treat, and even remove lupus symptoms.
Here is a link to the Mayo Clinic’s page on Lupus.
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Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis is a disease where your body makes antibodies to attack your nerves. The reason why is still unknown, but recovering from multiple sclerosis can be a long and difficult journey. That’s why it is important to check in with a physicians earlier rather than later, or utilize the Opus23 test to see if you have a predisposition.
In light of new research, iron plays a role in multiple sclerosis. This heavy metal will essentially block the highways to and from your nerves, causing your body to start attacking itself while it tries to remove lead.
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Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a condition that causes an excessive growth of skin cells, often forming in white patches on your skin and scalp. While these patches can be irritating and itchy, there are still steps you can take to proceed down the path of health. WHile the common belief is that psoriasis is incurable, I have worked with multiple patients and seen improvements.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your body creates antibodies that attack your joints. This can lead to swollen, warm or painful joints, bone deformities, pain, bumps under the skin, weight loss, and more. Controlling inflammation and subduing the immune system are key steps in treating rheumatoid arthritis.
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Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is when your body makes antibodies that attack the pancreas, specifically the insulin-producing beta cells. Insulin is what allows sugar into your cells in the form of glucose. Without beta cells to produce insulin, you need to take insulin either orally or through an injection to assist your pancreas. One of the key areas of naturopathic medical treatment is stopping your body from attacking itself and utilizing insulin properly.
Natural Treatments for Autoimmune Diseases
Please speak to your doctor before you start any new treatment.
- Fish Oil: Fish oil can help reduce inflammation and help modulate the immune system.
- Vitamin D: This fat-soluble vitamin has been shown to balance your immune system.
Free Discovery Session
A free Discovery Session includes analysis of your blood type, receiving dietary advice, and supplement suggestions with no obligation.
To schedule a free discovery session, please contact the front desk at the Personalized Natural Medicine Clinic, located in the heart of Newtown, Connecticut.