Autoimmunity
Common autoimmune conditions include Hashimoto's, grave's disease, lupus, sjogren's, celiac disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, type 1 diabetes, Scleroderma and more.
Many autoimmune conditions begin with vague, nonspecific symptoms, and it often takes 4–5 years to receive a proper diagnosis. Autoimmunity has reached epidemic proportions in recent decades, yet living with these conditions can feel isolating. For many, years pass without answers, and even after a diagnosis, traditional medical options often feel limited.
What is autoimmunity?
Your immune system’s job is to protect you from infections (such as viruses, bacteria, etc). In cases of autoimmunity, your immune system makes a mistake in this process and starts destroying your own tissue as if it is an invader.
How can the functional medicine approach help?
Autoimmune triggers are multifactoral and can be triggered and worsened by: genetics, infections, gut microbiome imbalances, environmental exposures (such as mold or BPA from plastics), food sensitivities, lifestyle triggers such as sleep issues. stress and more. The functional medicine approach focuses on uncovering the root triggers of autoimmune flares, supporting full-body optimization, and using natural strategies to reduce factors that contribute to symptom flare-ups.