Autoimmune Disorders
Integrative and Functional Approach
An autoimmune disorder occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 types of autoimmune disorders.
What Causes Autoimmune Disorders?
The blood cells of the body’s immune system are programmed to be able to distinguish between you and destroy substances that may be harmful to you. Examples of what your immune system helps to protect you against include bacteria, viruses, toxins, cancer cells, and blood and tissue from outside your body. These substances contain antigens that are different from your antigens, which your body knows and should not attack. Your immune system produces antibodies against the foreign/harmful antigens which enables it to destroy these harmful substances. When you have an autoimmune disorder, your immune system attacks healthy tissue of one or several organs or systems in your body because it has misread your antigens as potentially harmful. As a result, the body destroys normal tissues.
The cause of autoimmune disorders is unknown. One theory is that some microorganisms (such as bacteria or viruses) or drugs may trigger changes that confuse the immune system.
Contributing Factors That May Exacerbate An Autoimmune Disease Include:
- Stress
- Hormone fluctuations (menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, etc)
- Food sensitivities or allergies
An Autoimmune Disorder May Result In:
- The destruction of body tissue
- Abnormal growth of an organ
- Changes in organ function
An autoimmune disorder may affect one or more organ or tissue types. Areas often affected by autoimmune disorders include:
- Blood vessels
- Connective tissues
- Endocrine glands such as the thyroid or pancreas
- Joints
- Muscles
- Red blood cells
- Skin
A person may have more than one autoimmune disorder at the same time. Common autoimmune disorders include:
- Celiac disease – sprue (gluten-sensitive)
- Graves disease (overactive thyroid)
- Hashimoto thyroiditis (under-active thyroid)
- Multiple sclerosis (nerves)
- Rheumatoid arthritis (joints)
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (multiple systems)
- Type I diabetes (pancreas)
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Interested in learning how our integrative medicine options can support your autoimmune disorder? Call to speak with an expert team member.
