Treatment of Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune disease is a progressive condition. Statistically somebody with an autoimmune disease is at risk of a total of 7 autoimmune diseases in his/her lifetime. Hence, it is vital to address the underlying root cause of the autoimmune condition in the first place to prevent this disease progression, rather than traditional symptom treatment, in which medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, or immunosuppressants are prescribed, or surgery is performed. While conventional treatments may be effective in the short term, they are not a long-term solution.
In addition, research reveals antibodies can brew in your body for years before diagnosis even occurs. It is a silent epidemic.
Treatment for autoimmune diseases needs to focus on reducing immune system activity. There is no cure, but the symptoms of autoimmune disorders can be managed, and the conditions reversed and put into remission.
Working closely with a functional medicine physician to review your family medical history, understanding your risk factors for infections, food sensitivities and toxins, as well as listening to you closely to discover how all of your symptoms are related is an essential part of getting well.
The first part of protecting one’s body from triggers in the environment is being protective of what you feed your body. Good nutrition is important and eating organic wholesome foods is vital. Eliminating allergens (e.g. gluten, dairy) will help heal a leaky gut, and adding anti-inflammatory foods will calm a fiery immune system. A well functioning and healed digestive system is essential to good overall health.
Removing as many toxins as possible is vital for whole body health. Focusing on oral health plays an important part also, so seek to remove any mercury fillings and/or root canals, and heal any infections present in the gums. Many experts are now saying, “all disease begins in the mouth”. It is important to seek out a biological dentist for any advise and treatment.
Ensuring that you get adequate rest and sleep is critical. During sleep and rest, the body takes time to repair itself. This process is vital to the immune system and helps in buffering us from illness.
Engaging in appropriate gentle exercise (e.g. yoga, walking) is important as well. This reduces stress and aids the adrenals also. Adding adaptogenic and immuno-modulating herbs have also proven beneficial in stress management.
Perhaps the most important advice I can give is to “relax, forgive, and enjoy”. The absence of these three actions can also have physical consequences such as an increase in the stress hormone cortisol. Too much cortisol in our system can cause ill health. Conversely, when we relax, forgive, and enjoy, endorphins, which are natural feel good chemicals, are released into our body and have a positive impact on our short- and long-term health.
I know just how overwhelming, confusing and scary a diagnosis of an autoimmune disease can be. I have one too: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. I also know that conventional medicine only offers treatment of the symptoms, not a real solution to the disease.
It is imperative to get to the root cause of your illness in order to reverse the disease. This is where my passion lies, since I am also on this healing journey with you.
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