Medical Journeys

Posts Tagged ‘rheumatoid arthritis’

I used to have Grave’s disease, which is autoimmune, until I had my thyroid gland removed. Now, I believe I have rheumatoid arthritis, which is also an autoimmune disease. Is there some way that I can build up my body so that it doesn’t attack itself? What would be the best diet and/or supplements to get rid of an autoimmune disease? My husband also has an autoimmune disease, so we are both very interested in finding the answers. Thanks!

First, what do we mean by autoimmunity or autoimmune disease?

A process in which the bodys immune system causes illness by mistakenly attacking healthy cells, organs, or tissues in the body that is essential for good health. Your own immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys your body tissue that it believes to be foreign.

Some of the major autoimmune diseases are;

Active Chronic Hepatitis, Addison’s Disease, Anti-phospholipid Syndrome, Celiac Disease, Crohns Disease, Cushings Syndrome, Dermatomyositis, (Type I) Diabetes, Discoid Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Pemphigoid, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosis, and Fibromyalgia Fibromyositis.

There are many many more.

An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from symptoms — everything from fatigue to joint pains to depression, to numb hands and feet, to heart palpitations — signs that the immune system has turned upon itself.

Many people are looking for treatments for reversing autoimmune disease what works. You need to understand what caused your body to attack itself in the first place. If you address these issues your body can reverse the symptoms.

We’re all familiar with the term immunity now that AIDS a disease that directly attacks your immune system has become so prominent. To truly understand the word, it means, essentially, resistance to disease. Generally we are speaking of infectious disease, and immunity comes through your body’s exposure to the disease. If you have mumps as a child, you know that we are not susceptible to a second episode of mumps because your body has built up immunity to the condition.

Also you acquire immunity through artificial means such as vaccination or immunization. Originally immunity was thought of as the body’s way of defending itself against disease. One of the basic concepts of immunity in the early days of the twentieth century has been that if immunity is going to benefit us, it has to be directed to something foreign, something outside of the body. So it has always been the understanding of immunologists that the immune response only concerns bacteria, viruses and foreign.

You body can distinguish what is itself from what is not itself. But something has gone wrong, as we have seen a dramatic increase in autoimmune conditions in the past 20 years. Your own immune system is attacking itself; your immune response attacks your body the host.

Autoimmune disease is a disorder that occurs because of autoimmunity–a disease that is caused by an immune response to the body of the patient himself or herself. There are currently over 80 autoimmune diseases.

Why and how does autoimmunity arise in some people’s body?

What is causing your body to produce an immune response to itself?

Many people in this world do not have these autoimmune conditions; therefore we know that the body normally distinguishes self from non-self. Every one of us has some degree of autoimmunity naturally, and it does not seem to do us any harm unless something has gone or goes wrong.

To help us to understand that all of these autoimmune diseases as varied as they are in their location in the human body and the systems and organs they affect they are related because they are all caused by autoimmunity.

Once diagnosed, while doctors may prescribe pain relievers, hormones, or immunosuppressants to treat the symptoms, but when a patient asks about the cause, the life-long health implications, or how to heal such conditions, doctors simply shrug their shoulders and say they do not have any answers.

So begs the question, what causes autoimmunity?

We really need to understand the root causes of this major problem that is leading to these autoimmune disease conditions. If we understand what the root cause or causes of this devastating problem, then we can address it and restore health and vitality.
America’s abundant and prosperous culture has resulted in a substantial decline in our food supply’s nutritional content.

Over the past 60 years or so, the increase of chemicals in our environment through the industrial revolution, the use of insecticides and preservatives, hormones and steroids induced into our meat and food supplies, the increase of fast food and junk foods in our diets combined with the lack of proper soil management has left us with a basic food supply contaminated and lacking the necessary life sustaining nutritional elements.

Literally we are being starved of nutrients that our body’s must have to maintain health in the westernized cultures combined with high levels of hundreds of chemicals a stressful lifestyle and lack of proper regular exercise are the major contributing factors to autoimmunity.

Current allopathic “medicine” knows no cause or successful treatment for most autoimmune diseases, however when you look at the root causes of these disease conditions you know how address and stop autoimmune disease. Simply by rejuvenating and optimizing our cell communication function the Autoimmune Disease is terminated by the then full functioning, optimal and healthy immune system.

In other words people with autoimmune conditions have deficient mis-communicated cells and immune systems. All disease conditions are ultimately a result of improper cell-to-cell communication at some level. All diseases have an immune and /or glandular component. Cell to cell communication is the critical key to homeostasis (balance of health) and immune system function.

By providing key nutrients that are missing from your diet back into your daily food can give you back the health you lost due to auto immunity. In 1996 it was discovered that there are essential nutrients for health, that are non-toxic, do not interfere with bodily functions like drugs do and with these the body can recognize, defend, nourish, regulate, repair and cleanse itself. Every chronic degenerative disease is responding very positively, often to the elimination of every symptom. The nutrients are made from natural foods and they work harmoniously with prescription drugs and are not intended to take the place of needed medical treatment. They are a complement to our modern day medicine, not an alternative. The word is slowly spreading amongst the medical community that there is help out there. It always takes time for a new discovery of any kind to be accepted but the time is coming when this information will be common knowledge.

Inside your body there is an amazing protection mechanism called the immune system. We do not notice it when it is working as it should be, but we do notice when it is not. Your complex immune system is made up of many components, cells and systems working together to serve and protect your health and well being.

To work effectively each of these cell groups and systems must have proper structure and function, when your body is overtaxed with chemicals, stress, toxins, overuse of antibiotics and has nutrient deficiencies your body becomes vulnerable to microbes, bacteria, and loses the ability to function properly. As we discussed earlier, the result with an autoimmune disease is your body starts attacking itself and you end up with a miscommunicated dysfunctional immune system.

Science is validating that virtually every disease has altered and missing structures of glycoforms on the cell of the person affected with the specific disease. Where a healthy person has the proper structure and assembly of glycoforms coating their cells.

Your body will repair itself, regenerate itself, restore itself, and defend itself as long as you provide your body with the right tools it requires to function correctly. Restore Your Health and Balance Your Immune System

By providing essential and required nutrients back into your diet, your body will have the nutrients (tools) it requires to reassemble the proper immune system structures at the level of your cells. You can restore proper function to your bodys cells, so you no longer have to live with the debilitating auto immune challenge. Eliminate Your Auto Immune Condition Today

Author: Kerry Greening
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Smart cooker

Lyme disease is becoming an epidemic in the United States and no one is talking about it; and this disease, although not easy to prevent, can be prevented or it may cases, severely restricted. It is especially dangerous if it attacks your nervous system.

However, the United States is not alone with this growing disease as it has also started to show up in China, Europe, Japan, Australia, and several areas of what used to be the Soviet Union.

Lyme disease is still relatively unknown to many people as it has only been around and been documented in people since 1975 when it was thought to have been rheumatoid arthritis in a group of children that lived in Lyme, Connecticut. But it was studied and later discovered that it was actually caused by bacteria and identified as Lyme disease in 1982.

The U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, has monitored it ever since. In a seven year period from 1992 to 1998 there were almost 89,000 cases of this disease reported, with 9800 in 1992 and growing to almost 16,000 by 1998. In 2007 there were almost 28,000 cases reported and the numbers keep growing.

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial disease that is caused by a bacterium referred to as a spirochete. Spirochetes are any type of various bacteria that can be pathogenic and cause disease and are usually carried either by lice or ticks, and when they bite, they transmit the infection. Lyme disease is transmitted by a tick that is found in all fifty states.

As with most spirochetes, the disease can not be transmitted from one human to another, as the only way you can catch this disease is by a tick bite. What makes Lyme disease so very difficult to spot is that you may never know you have been bitten as these particular ticks are very, very small.

It may not be until the symptoms start to appear that you will know it is Lyme disease. Even than, the symptoms resemble several other conditions or diseases. This disease will affect different parts of your body and will vary in severity as it grows and develops in your system. It is classified in three very distinct stages: early localized, early disseminated, and than late disease which can be extremely dangerous.

Symptoms:

After you are infected with this disease, this bacterium spreads away from the initial point of entry, the tick bite, and the first symptoms will be a rash that can rapidly expand to several parts of your body. The symptoms will almost always be associated with a fever and flu like symptoms and this is referred to as the early localized stage.

This inflammation will than start expanding in a very distinct pattern that will literally resemble a bull’s eye. The outer portions will be a very bright red but the inner portions will be almost clear. However, what has been so difficult in diagnosis with this initial stage is that there are about 25 percent of people that develop no rash at all.

In the second stage, the symptoms will develop into fatigue, muscle and joint stiffness, swollen lymph nodes, and headaches. All of these symptoms closely resemble the flu and can easily be passed off as the flu. The difference will be that they will start to get worse in several cases.

The redness and rash will usually dissipate within three to four weeks, however, the bacteria is still in the body and is still infecting it if is not treated. If left untreated, stage three sets in which can affect the joints, the heart and the nervous system.

These symptoms can be especially dangerous as it can cause inflammation to the heart and muscle mass within the heart, causing abnormal heart rhythms or even heart failure if severe. The nervous system can also be attacked, and the first sign will be with Bell’s palsy, where the facial muscles are paralyzed. It can also lead to meningitis and confusion.

But there is one symptom that will be common in most all cases, and that will be the arthritis effects of the disease that will cause swelling, stiffness, and pain. If this is not treated, it can become chronic very rapidly. If you have not had any previous arthritic conditions and suddenly develop them, the chances are very good that you have Lyme disease.

Treatments:

Antibiotics will cure most all cases of this disease if it is caught in the very early stages; however, that is perhaps why it is becoming an epidemic, as it is very difficult to catch in the early stages. After the damage has set in, antibiotics are not very effective.

Preventions:

The chronic inflammation that is caused by this disease is why so many people with Lyme’s disease fail to improve. Bringing this inflammation under control, or preventing it to start with, will be the key to winning the battle against this little known, but fast growing disease.

Most all people that are attacked and infected with this disease suffer from nutritional deficiencies. Here are the nutrients that can assist in preventing as well as fighting Lyme disease once the body has been attacked.

Vitamin A is very effective in helping to build the immune system and fight infectious diseases as its role as an antioxidant; and deficiency of this vitamin may prolong Lyme arthritis. Deficiencies of Vitamins B6 and B12 are very common in with this disease. B12 deficiency is common among vegetarian diets and macrobiotic diets, and is essential in maintaining energy levels as well as counteracting gastrointestinal problems.

One of its most important functions is protecting the neurological system which is exactly where this disease attacks. Vitamin B6 works with magnesium in your body to protect the normal biochemical functions.
However, the two best preventive nutrients may be Vitamin C and D.

Vitamin C is very important in both preventing and fighting Lyme disease as it is the most powerful immune booster of all the nutrients. It also helps protects cellular structures and joint ligaments, the real target of this disease. Vitamin D helps to protect the endocrine system, especially the adrenal and thyroid glands. This vitamin is also the most prescribed vitamin for treating musculoskeletal pain associated with any type of inflammatory disease.

Summery:

Lyme disease can be prevented and treated by the proper nutrients. However, the statistics show that this disease is growing each and every year, and the definition of an epidemic is a disease that affects a large and growing number of people in a population.

Author: Frank Will
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty rate

1.What is the difference between an immune disorder and an autoimmune disease?

A.When an immune disorder becomes very severe, it becomes an autoimmune disease.
B.An immune disorder occurs when the immune system does not function properly. An autoimmune disease occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own cells.
C.An immune disorder is the overreaction of the immune system to substances that are not dangerous. An autoimmune disease occurs when germs affect the immune system.
D.An immune disorder is a disease caused by germs, such as pollen or dust. An autoimmune disease occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own cells.
2.An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to

A.dust.
B.a substance in the environment.
C.carbohydrates in food.
D.an autoimmune disease.
3.During an asthma attack, the

A.bronchial airways narrow and become clogged with mucus.
B.bronchial airways constrict in response to environmental stimuli.
C.lining of the air passages swell and become inflamed.
D.All of the above
4.All of the following are good steps to take to avoid an allergic reaction except

A.avoiding substances you are allergic to.
B.washing sheets and blankets weekly.
C.cleaning bathrooms and kitchens to avoid molds.
D.taking long-term control drugs every day.
5.Which of the following is not an example of an autoimmune disease?

A.rheumatoid arthritis
B.type 1 diabetes
C.multiple sclerosis
D.AIDS
6.Most allergies and autoimmune diseases can be

A.prevented.
B.treated with medication.
C.eliminated with stress management techniques.
D.reduced by avoiding allergens.
7.Which of the following suggestions is not an important step to take if you are diagnosed with an immune or autoimmune disease?

A.Follow your treatment plan without asking any questions.
B.Let your doctor know if new symptoms occur.
C.Be honest with your doctor.
D.Learn about medications and medical tests necessary for your condition
8.Match the following terms to their definitions.
1.itchy swellings on the skin caused by allergies to foods or certain drugs
2.an autoimmune disease in which the immune system begins to destroy the linings of the joints
3.a disease in which the immune system attacks the cells of the body that it would normally protect
4.a disorder that causes the airways to become narrow and clogged with mucus
5.a disease in which the joints of the skeleton wear out as a person ages

A.rheumatoid arthritis
B.autoimmune disease
C.asthma
D.hives
E.osteoarthritis