Autoimmune Diseases
Your immune system is designed to protect your body’s healthy cell tissues by attacking any viruses, bacteria, pathogens, or diseases that enter your body. Simply put, it’s what prevents you from getting sick, and also what helps you feel better if you do fall ill.
However, autoimmune diseases are different. They cause your immune system to get confused and attack the healthy cells in your body instead of the diseased ones. This often complicates the medical issue at hand even further because your body’s defense systems are working against it. If left untreated, serious medical issues may occur.
There are hundreds of autoimmune illnesses, each of which have their own unique symptoms. For example, Autoimmune Thyroid Disease (Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis) can make you feel like a slug: cold, tired,constipated, depressed, with dry hair and skin, muscle aches, wacky menstrual cycles, and weight fluctuations. Celiac disease is another example of an autoimmune illness in which symptoms may show up anywhere from head to toe: headaches, brain fog, skin rashes, joint pain, heartburn, diarrhea or constipation. Those suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis will often notice symmetric joint problems the wrists and hands. Other common Autoimmune Diseases you may have heard of: Type 1 Diabetes, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Multiple Sclerosis, Sjogren’s Disease, Lupus, and Graves’ Disease. Many of the symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases overlap and fatigue seems to be a common thread throughout. 25% of patients with autoimmune diseases will develop a second or third autoimmune disease in their lifetime!
At Matriarch Health Wellness, I use many Functional Medicine tools to help to identify and treat Autoimmune Diseases like little nutritional tweaks with profound results or the utilization of herbs/nutritients to quiet an overactive immune system. Another wonderful option is Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) and I have received special training on its appropriate use in Autoimmune Diseases (among other diagnoses like Chronic Pain). Please see the LDN Research Trust for more detailed information about LDN. By examining your unique history and symptoms, we can work together to formulate an effective road map to your health!
If you have been experiencing symptoms that may be connected with autoimmune diseases and are looking for answers, schedule an appointment with Matriarch Health and Wellness today!
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