Autoimmune Illnesses
The concept of “autoimmune” illnesses (AI), where the body turns on itself and attacks its own tissues, has only been recognized by the medical community for less than 100 years. The causes are myriad and not well-understood, including genetics, lifestyle and nutrition choices, environmental toxins, viruses, and probably others.
Fortunately, much progress has been made in the last decade around how to treat autoimmune illnesses. If you think you may have an AI, or have already been diagnosed with one, there is a strong possibility you have NOT been given information about all your treatment options. Contact our office to make an appointment and learn more!
Having an AD can profoundly affect your life; I know because I was diagnosed with the thyroid disease Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2011. Since that time, I’ve dedicated myself to helping those with AI, learning as much as I can, because many people are not finding the answers they seek via conventional medical approaches. Personally, I have combined guidance provided by my Naturopathic Doctor, lab work based on functional medicine, supplements, dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as Traditional Chinese medical treatments and herbal formulas to treat my thyroid autoimmune illness.
There are some relatively simple steps you can take to often reverse many of the symptoms of an autoimmune illness. See more here. To decrease symptoms, it’s often imperative that you work to improve the health of your digestive system (aka, your gut).
Are you considering visiting a doctor because you believe that you may have an autoimmune illness? Click here for a worksheet with tips on getting a proper diagnosis.
Some really great tips are in this Huffington Post article for anyone living with a disease that isn’t easily noticed or recognized by others, a common occurrence with autoimmune illnesses. I have personally spent a great deal of time educating people about my own autoimmune issues, and it can be draining if I’m not looking at it right (ie, an opportunity to really teach someone about the significance/challenges that come with having one of these types of illnesses).
In 2013, the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) sent out a request for people to post YouTube videos about their experiences with autoimmune illnesses. Here’s a video link to my personal story. If you’d like to learn more about AARDA, go here.
Clearly, there are many resources out there for patients with an autoimmune diagnosis. Let me help you understand how TCM treatments can be integrated into your wellness plan!