It is estimated that 53 million Americans, mostly women, are suffering from autoimmune diseases and many more have earlier stages of the autoimmune disorders. These diseases are a major cause of morbidity and contribute greatly to a list of diseases that can affect the quality of life as we age.
Autoimmune disorders are referred to as different stages of autoimmune malfunction where a person’s immune system produces antibodies against self-tissue. Autoimmune disorders range from the earliest stage called ‘autoimmune reactivity’ where antibodies are present without apparent symptoms to the end-stage called ‘autoimmune diseases’ where clinical symptoms are present. The interval between the initial detection of autoantibodies asymptomatic stage until the appearance of clinical symptoms can last up to 10 years.
Detection of antibodies at earlier stages of autoimmune disorder enables timely diagnosis and treatment before specific tissue damage and organ damage occurs and thus prevent the onset of many common diseases. Detection of these antibodies and prompt treatment can also limit tissue and organ damage in individuals who are already suffering from the symptomatic disease.
Autoimmune diseases can affect specific organs causing diseases such as insulin-dependent diabetes, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, pernicious anemia, and vitiligo. It can also cause non-organ-specific diseases such as lupus, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.
Some of the triggers of the autoimmune disorder include:
- Allergy
- Infections
- Toxins and chemicals
- Leaky gut
- Stress
Some treatment measures may include:
1- Prevention: the best way to approach autoimmune disorders is early detection and prevention of such disorders to a disease state.
a) Identifying genetically susceptible individuals
b) Follow up patients with an autoimmune disorder and screen for potential additional autoimmune diseases
c) Identifying autoantibodies
d) Identifying triggers
e) Implement preventive and treatment measures
2- Acute treatment
a) Identify patients at varying stages of autoimmune disease(s)
b) Identify autoantibodies
c) Identify triggers and other contributing causes
d) Treatment approach consists of a comprehensive mind-body approach and includes eliminating triggers, treating any untreated infections, healing the leaky gut, discovering and treating other body’s systems affected by the autoimmune process, and nutritional therapy to heal inflammation and symptoms.
2- Maintenance treatment:
a) Avoid triggers
b) Maintain an intestinal barrier
c) Restore the body’s normal immune function
An astute physician specializing in integrative medicine who is well versed in identifying this disorder, its different clinical presentations, and its triggers can make potentially significant improvements in patient’s medical condition and the overall state of health.