Autoimmune Disease

What Happens When Your Immune System Loses Control

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