Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which the immune system perceives the body’s own cells as foreign and attacks them. This abnormal immune response leads to a variety of health problems, depending on the type and location of the attack. There are over 100 different autoimmune disorders, and the most common ones include rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, lupus, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and scleroderma.
Symptoms of autoimmune disorders depend on the condition and the affected areas but typically include fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, dizziness, fever, gastrointestinal issues, and skin problems. The causes of autoimmune disorders remain unclear but they involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Genetic predisposition accounts for about one-third of cases, while environmental exposures, such as sunlight, toxins, and chemicals, also contribute to their development. Collectively, autoimmune conditions affect around 50 million people in the United States and are on the rise, partly due to worsening environmental conditions. Diagnosing autoimmune disorders involves an examination of patient history, laboratory testing, and imaging to assess internal damage.
Functional medicine offers a holistic approach to managing autoimmune conditions, as it addresses the condition from its root causes. This treatment model includes the use of natural immunomodulators, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications, all aimed at controlling symptoms and improving quality of life.
This article will examine the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and use of functional and alternative medicine for autoimmune diseases.
What Are Autoimmune Disorders?
Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which the body mistakes its own cells as foreign and sends the immune system to attack these cells. So, you can really just view it as the body attacking itself.
Normally, the immune system springs to action when a foreign antigen is in the body. The T and B cells of the immune system fight the antigen and also store information about it to make future exposures quicker. Note that the presence of antigens is not limited to just foreign cells. Antigens are also present on the surface of some of the body’s own cells.
However, the immune system is normally able to recognize these friendly antigens and ignore them. There are abnormal cases, though, where the immune system fails to recognize the body’s antigens as friendly and starts to attack them—known as autoimmune conditions.
There are more than 100 different autoimmune disorders today, affecting around 50 million people in the United States. The prevalence of these disorders is also increasing every day in the United States, likely because of the worsening environmental conditions, but more on that later.
What are the Types of Autoimmune Disorders?
There are more than 100 different types of autoimmune disorders, although most autoimmune cases are due to 8 specific disorders. The exact type of autoimmune condition a person has depends on the cells of the body that the immune system attacks.
The 8 main disorders responsible for autoimmune disorders are listed below.
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus
- Multiple sclerosis
- Psoriasis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Scleroderma
What Causes Autoimmune Disorders?
The exact cause of autoimmune conditions in the body is unknown, although a gene-environment interplay is believed to play a key role. So, both genetic factors and environmental factors (like ingesting heavy metals, exposure to sunlight, and toxin exposure) are involved.
There are many genetic risk factors for autoimmune disorders. Due to the technological advances in genome-wide association studies, the science world has identified different genetic variants and specific genes that regulate the immune cells. These genes can then contribute to complex health disorders like autoimmune conditions. Approximately one-third of all autoimmune cases are linked to genetic factors.
The other part of the gene-environment interplay causing autoimmune disorders is the environment. Environmental factors, such as exposure to sunlight, environmental toxins, heavy metals (mercury, silver, or gold), and different chemicals in our diet and the many chemical products we use, are believed to increase the risk of these autoimmune disorders.
What are the Risk Factors of Autoimmune Disorders?
The risk factors associated with autoimmune disorders include gender, infections, stress, diet, race, smoking, and ethnicity. The way these risk factors contribute to the development of autoimmune disorders is also not well known.
For instance, approximately 80% of all patients diagnosed with autoimmune disorders are women. One possible reason for this may be the peculiarity of the X chromosome and the fact that women have two of them, as opposed to one for men. Another potential reason is the hormones that are secreted more in women, like estrogen. The exact way other risk factors like infections and underlying health conditions contribute to autoimmune disorders is also still being researched.
Amid all the uncertainty, scientists and healthcare providers agree that the processes that lead to the development of autoimmune disorders are complex. An interaction between several different genetic and environmental factors is still the most likely reason for autoimmune conditions.
What are the Symptoms of Autoimmune Disorders?
The symptoms of autoimmune disorders depend on the autoimmune disorder’s location and extent. Nonetheless, some of the common symptoms of these disorders, especially at their early stages, include:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Swelling of glands
- Joint problems
- Muscle pain
- Fever
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Skin conditions
Functional Medicine for Autoimmune Disorders
Functional medicine is a type of alternative medicine that views health conditions from the lens of the interactions between the different body parts, as well as the interactions between the body and the environment. An impeller way of putting it is that functional medicine is as a “root cause”-focused healthcare model.
This definition is because functional medicine focuses on identifying the root cause of a condition and devising a treatment plan that addresses this root cause and manages any symptoms. Here’s how functional medicine will approach the management of autoimmune disorders.
Diagnosis
Proper diagnosis is the first step in managing any health condition, including autoimmune disorders. You have to know a condition before treating it, and this principle applies to all forms of medicine. Here are some of the diagnostic tools that functional medicine practitioners use to confirm the particular autoimmune condition a patient has.
Patient History
The medical history of a patient comprises relevant information that can help in treating the patient. This relevant information includes previous health conditions, procedures used in treating those health conditions, and patient-specific properties, like allergies and sensitivities.
Generally, healthcare providers approach the diagnosis process from the manifestation of the condition – basically an analysis of the patient’s symptoms. However, that does not carry much weight with autoimmune disorders because of the complex nature of this condition, as symptoms are often non-specific.
Another way to explain this is that autoimmune disorders typically have diverse symptoms and manifestations. Also, these symptoms may not appear until the disorder has reached a relatively advanced stage, where other non-specific health symptoms may arise. Therefore, in autoimmune disorders, the journey to an accurate diagnosis usually begins with an examination of the patient’s history and profile.
Do not be surprised if your healthcare provider asks questions regarding your family history because of how significant genetics is in the development of autoimmune disorders. Questions about the symptoms may then follow, usually to get an idea of the start, progression, and nature of the condition.
Laboratory Testing
Laboratory testing of blood, urine, and other body samples can reveal a lot about the state of the body. This testing is arguably the most important tool in the hands of functional medicine practitioners for diagnosing autoimmune disorders.
Lab testing is often a constant in diagnosing autoimmune conditions because several different tests can be carried out, revealing different but relevant information about the specific disorder. Health practitioners look out for the location and severity of the autoimmune disorder. However, tests that show the disorder’s activity and progression over time are also useful.
The major components of laboratory testing are a complete blood count with differential, autoantibodies, inflammatory markers, a comprehensive metabolic panel, and flow cytometry. We really do not want to complicate things for you but know that autoantibodies (antibodies that react with self-antigens) and inflammatory biomarkers (markers in blood tests that show inflammation levels) are possibly the most important indicators of autoimmune disorders.
We cannot forget to state that these tests are only as useful as their interpreter. That is to say, these lab tests will only reveal useful information at the hands of skilled functional health practitioners. For instance, the presence of autoantibodies in the blood is not a surefire sign that the individual has autoimmune disorders, as some levels of these antibodies in the body are acceptable. These test results must be interpreted alongside other findings the patient presents with to make any sense of the results.
Imaging
Imaging tests help the healthcare provider examine the inner structures of the body. Imaging technology is useful in the diagnosis of autoimmune conditions. The imaging tests most used are X-rays and MRI scans. However, the range of imaging tests for autoimmune disorders is not as wide as other diagnostic tools, limiting its use to only a few conditions.
Identifying the Root Cause
Functional medicine practitioners move on to identifying the root cause of the condition after reaching a diagnosis of the condition. This stage of the treatment process allows for holistic treatment for autoimmune disease. The focus on first finding the root cause of the condition is one of the areas that separates functional medicine from many other types of medicine.
However, this finding-the-root-cause exercise is not as simple as it may appear. The common and pretty obvious areas functional health practitioners consider are the patient’s family history and the environmental exposure of the individual to chemicals, infections, toxins, and heavy metals. All of these may still not tell the full story, though.
Therefore, functional medicine practitioners may make deeper inquiries and pay closer attention to laboratory findings. These functional health practitioners may even order more lab tests to rule out or confirm some potential causes. The risk factors of these disorders can also tell a lot.
Note that, unlike several other conditions, science and health practitioners (both conventional and functional) have never really been able to figure out the exact theory behind the development of autoimmune disorders. So, whatever root causes are identified are typically the most significant and likely contributors to the development of the disorder.
Natural Treatment Options
Drafting a patient-specific treatment plan is the next step in the functional medicine approach to managing autoimmune disorders. This treatment plan has to account for the patient’s characteristics, profiles, lab test results, and the findings of the health practitioner during their investigation of the patient. Here is how the treatment normally goes.
Natural Immunomodulators
Natural immunomodulators are natural agents that can interact with the immune system and potentially suppress or stimulate it. Functional medicine places a significant focus on using natural agents to treat health conditions, including autoimmune disorders. The benefits of this all-natural strategy are that there are fewer side effects, less economic impact, and a multi-component agent that can work for several different functions in the body.
There are generally two fundamental approaches to the treatment of autoimmune disorders. The first involves replacing or repairing the affected function. For instance, in conventional medicine, there may be a treatment plan revolving around hormone replacement. More specific examples are insulin for type 1 diabetes mellitus and thyroid hormones for thyroiditis. This approach is simple and straightforward, really, but it’s downside is that it does not directly address the cause of the disorder. Therefore, treatment is often lifelong.
The second fundamental approach is to suppress the abnormal autoimmune response. Here, the goal is not to replace the affected function; it is to prevent the disorder from generating a response that can affect function. So, this therapy does offer a more direct pathway to fighting autoimmune disorders. However, there’s an issue.
Many of the medications used conventionally to achieve this autoimmune suppression typically just suppress all of the immune system. As such, these medications have serious side effects, including a much higher risk of infections and other health conditions due to the weakening of the immune system.
Functional medicine, on the other hand, uses immunosuppressant natural agents, which have much less serious side effects. Some examples of these bioactive agents are quercetin, capsaicin, resveratrol, and colchicine, which can be found in different supplements and natural products.
Other Treatments
Other treatment options include lifestyle changes and nutritional therapy, revolving around changes in diet and the introduction of antioxidant supplements. While the ultimate goal in functional medicine remains to address a condition from its root cause, it is also important to ensure that the patient’s quality of life is good in the journey to reaching that goal.
These other treatment and management options help relieve symptoms and also improve the overall health of the patient, and they are listed below.
- Dietary changes, particularly a shift away from inflammatory foods that can worsen symptoms of inflammation
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplements are some of the best supplements for autoimmune disease, as they help to maintain good immune system function
- Lifestyle changes, which usually revolve around reducing the exposure to environmental toxins. For example, cessation of smoking, staying in areas with better air quality, and limiting exposure to heavy metals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Autoimmune Conditions Be Cured?
There is currently no cure for autoimmune conditions. However, treatment options have greatly advanced over the years, making it much easier to manage and control these disorders and limit their progression. With the right treatment, like functional medicine, it may be possible to relieve accompanying symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.
Are Autoimmune Disorders Preventable?
Autoimmune disorders can generally not be prevented. Prevention strategies focus on identifying individuals at risk through genetic and environmental factors, such as family history, environmental exposures, and early biomarkers like autoantibodies. Right now, the strategies available work to delay rather than fully prevent autoimmune disorders.
Are Autoimmune Disorders Contagious?
Autoimmune disorders are not contagious, but they have a strong genetic component, which means they can be transmitted within a family line. Scientists still don’t know exactly why certain genes are associated with autoimmune disorders, but there is less confusion about the fact that genetics is a major contributor to the development of autoimmune disorders.
What Foods Can Help in the Treatment of Autoimmune Disorders?
Foods rich in antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory agents help in the treatment of autoimmune disorders. These include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like omega-3s. Additionally, eliminating inflammatory foods such as processed items, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats helps relieve the symptoms of autoimmune disorders and promotes overall wellness.
How Can You Know the Type of Autoimmune Disorder You Have?
A thorough diagnosis involving patient history, laboratory testing, and imaging can tell the type of autoimmune disorder you have. You will not be able to do this alone, and you need the help of an experienced and qualified healthcare provider, like a functional medicine practitioner. The healthcare provider interprets these tests alongside your symptoms for a fast and accurate diagnosis.
Conclusion
Autoimmune disorders affect millions of people in the United States, and they present complex challenges both to the affected individuals and the healthcare system. Because of the peculiarity of these disorders, conventional treatment options that will address the condition from its root, improve symptoms, and limit side effects to the patient have been hard to come by. Functional medicine shines in this regard, as its patient-specific focus on natural immunomodulators has shown much promise in managing these disorders.
However, it’s crucial to always consult your healthcare provider before making significant health changes, especially if you have underlying conditions or are on medications. Also, remember that while treatment can improve quality of life, no current option cures autoimmune disorders, so be cautious of claims suggesting otherwise.
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