It is estimated that autoimmune diseases affect 10 million or more Americans. Many autoimmune conditions cause debilitating symptoms requiring patients to seek medical care. Yet many search for a wide array of solutions to manage their symptoms.
Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and multiple sclerosis occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues.
Our team at Eterna Integrative offers a comprehensive approach to managing autoimmunity. Our treatment approach addresses not just the symptoms but also underlying factors contributing to the disease, providing a integrative approach implemented in conjunction with the recommendations of other physician specialists.
What Causes Autoimmunity?
The exact cause of autoimmune diseases is not always clear. But they are believed to result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Common triggers include infections, chronic stress, hormonal imbalances, poor diet, environmental toxins, and even gut health issues. For example, in leaky gut syndrome, the intestinal lining becomes permeable, allows toxins and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream, and can potentially trigger an immune response.
Symptoms of Autoimmunity
Symptoms vary depending on the specific condition but often include:
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Chronic fatigue
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Joint pain and inflammation
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Digestive problems
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Skin issues like rashes or dryness
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Sensitivity to certain foods or chemicals
Autoimmune diseases are often misdiagnosed or overlooked because symptoms can mimic other conditions. An integrative approach can help identify these underlying patterns.
What Is An Integrative Approach?
Integrative medicine seeks to treat the whole person, not just the disease. For autoimmune conditions, this involves assessing critical markers of inflammation in the blood, autoimmunity panels, markers of gut inflammation, micronutrient testing, hormonal testing, and measuring environmental toxicity. Ultimately the approach involves a personalized approach to reducing inflammation, supporting the immune system, and addressing lifestyle factors.
Nutrition for Healing
A nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet is critical in autoimmune disease. The autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet, which eliminates potential triggers like gluten, dairy, and sugar, can be highly effective. Foods like leafy greens, fatty fish, turmeric, and bone broth can help reduce inflammation and support gut health.
Stress Management
Chronic stress worsens autoimmune symptoms by triggering inflammatory pathways. Techniques like yoga, meditation, and breathwork help calm the nervous system and reduce immune dysregulation.
Gut Health Optimization
Optimizing the gut microbiome can be helpful in autoimmune disease. Probiotics, prebiotics, and other more specific treatments can repair the gut lining and improve overall immune function.
Lifestyle Adjustments
Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and reducing exposure to environmental toxins (like pesticides and heavy metals) can lower the body’s inflammatory load.
Take Control of Your Autoimmune Health
There’s no cure for autoimmune diseases, but the right combination of lifestyle changes, targeted therapies, and integrative care can significantly improve quality of life. At Eterna Integrative, we specialize in creating personalized care plans to help you reclaim your health!