An autoimmune disease is a condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your body.
When it’s working properly, your immune system protects your body against attacks from bacteria and viruses, but sometimes it can become confused and start fighting healthy cells instead. This can have a serious impact on your overall health.
Traditional medicine typically focuses on controlling the symptoms instead of treating the root cause. If you want answers, the team at Tri-Cities Functional Medicine can help. Here’s what you need to know.
Autoimmune diseases are actually very common.
They’re complex and chronic diseases that can have a number of triggers. Once you track down the cause, you can start learning to manage it.
Some common examples include:
- Type 1 diabetes, which affects the pancreas
- Rheumatoid arthritis, which affects the joints – especially in the hands and feet
- Celiac disease, which is triggered by gluten and affects the small intestine
- Multiple sclerosis, which affects the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, and
- Psoriasis, which affects the skin.
And there are many more. Autoimmune diseases can be difficult to diagnose because they generally present with a number of symptoms that can be caused by a range of different factors.
Autoimmune diseases can’t be cured… yet.
However, they can be effectively controlled, which will allow you to reclaim your health and live a life free from chronic symptoms. The secret to success might surprise you: it’s actually gut health.
If the gut is inflamed, irritated, or agitated, it will directly impact your immune system and it may trigger many of the symptoms we’ve discussed.
That’s why it’s important to work with a functional medicine doctor. They’ll be able to help you take a holistic approach that includes eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep, and starting to feel better.
If you need answers, take the first step towards better health today by clicking the link below.
Read More About What is an Autoimmune Disease? Here’s an Overview