Autoimmune Disorder
What is an Autoimmune Disorder?
An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders. Some of the most commonly known are Addison’s disease, Celiac disease, Graves disease, Multiple sclerosis, Myasthenia gravis, Pernicious anemia, Rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Lupus and Type 1 diabetes. A person may have one or more of the disorders at the same time.
In patients with an autoimmune disorder, the immune system begins to react to and destroy blood vessels, connective tissues, endocrine glands (such as the thyroid or pancreas), joints, muscles, red blood cells and skin. This response is a hypersensitivity reaction similar to the response in allergic conditions. The important difference is that in allergies, the immune system reacts to an outside substance that it normally would ignore. With autoimmune disorders, the immune system reacts to normal body tissues that it would normally ignore.
What causes the immune system to react against itself and produce an immune response against healthy tissue is unknown. One theory is that some microorganisms (such as bacteria or viruses) or drugs may trigger some of these changes, especially in people who have genes that make them more likely to get autoimmune disorders. Exposure to heavy metals and environmental chemicals can also trigger an autoimmune disorder.
Symptoms of an autoimmune disease vary based on the disease and location of the abnormal immune response but typically include fatigue, fever or a general feeling of being ill.
Who is Affected?
Fifty million Americans suffer from some type of autoimmune disorder.
What are Options for Treatment?
First and foremost, we assess the triggers of inflammation and infection and balance the body’s biochemistry to strengthen the immune response. Nutrient imbalances and an excess body burden of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic or mercury can contribute to a weakened immune response.
To strengthen the immune system, we identify any foods, pollens, molds or chemicals that may be weakening the ability of the body to withstand attack from viruses, bacteria or funguses – or those that may cause inflammation or reduce the ability of the immune cells to react appropriately. Once these are identified and removed, the body’s innate healing mechanism kick in and healing can begin.
At the Magaziner Center for Wellness, we have found that low dose naltrexone (LDN) has benefitted those with autoimmune diseases including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. LDN seems to alter the way the body attacks itself and treatment should be considered in these conditions.