Autoimmune disorders are among the most prevalent chronic illnesses. They include rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, lupus and psoriasis.
Diagnosing and treating allergies can be a challenge. The traditional approach relies on suppressing the immune system with powerful medications, but functional medicine takes a different approach and addresses the underlying causes rather than simply masking symptoms.
Food Sensitivity Testing
Food sensitivities are an integral part of functional medicine for autoimmune disorders, as they often form the root cause. Furthermore, improving gastrointestinal health is also key since the immune system is intimately connected to gut health.
The immune system is designed to recognize harmful organisms like bacteria, viruses and parasites as threats and launch a protective response in the body. These reactions are initiated by antibodies called immunoglobulins.
Food allergies occur when an IgE antibody reacts with protein found in an offending food and releases large amounts of histamine into the bloodstream, leading to swelling, itching and mucus production. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical care.
Food allergies, on the other hand, are more subtle immune reactions that may take hours or days after consumption. This is because the IgG antibody responsible for triggering the sensitivity reaction doesn’t release as much histamine into your bloodstream as normal antibodies do.
Food sensitivities can cause a range of symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, indigestion, bloating after meals and joint pain. Many people report improvements in their digestive symptoms, energy levels, moods and skin when making changes based on their results from food sensitivity testing.
It is essential to recognize that food sensitivity can be indicative of a larger issue, such as leaky gut. Leaky gut has been linked with various autoimmune conditions and chronic illnesses like celiac disease, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), and other inflammatory bowel diseases.
Food sensitivities involve IgG antibodies that activate complement, distinct from IgE antibodies responsible for food allergies. When an allergic response occurs, the IgE antibody reacts with protein present in food and releases histamine into the bloodstream within minutes to hours after exposure.
Lifestyle Changes
When it comes to autoimmune disease, there is an intricate web of risk factors. Genetic predisposition accounts for approximately one-third of the cause, but environmental exposures and diet also play a significant role.
Functional medicine is an innovative approach to healthcare that looks at a person’s overall wellness, rather than just treating symptoms. It strives to address the underlying causes of illness and can even reverse chronic illnesses.
Some autoimmune disorders are believed to be caused by a deficiency of certain nutrients within the body, which are essential for many processes – including those related to immunity.
Eating a nutritious diet can provide your body with essential vitamins and minerals it needs for optimal health. A nutrient-rich diet should include plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, as well as healthy fats like olive oil or avocado oil or omega 3s from wild-caught fish.
Eating a nutritionally dense diet is just the start. Additionally, taking dietary supplements like vitamins, minerals, probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids can support your immunity as well.
Exercise regularly to reduce inflammation in your body and boost energy levels. Exercising also releases nitric oxide, which has been linked to healing different tissues and organs.
Finally, you should prioritize reducing stress and getting enough sleep. Stress can increase intestinal permeability, meaning large molecules from outside your body may enter your bloodstream and trigger inflammation as well as an immune response that leads to autoimmune disease.
The gut is an integral component of your immune system and plays a significant role in the development and progression of many autoimmune disorders.
Medications
There are various medications that can reduce inflammation and support your immune system. These may be taken alone or combined with lifestyle modifications to alleviate symptoms and enhance overall immunity.
In the past, autoimmune diseases were thought to be caused by either genetic predisposition or an insufficient environment – a combination of factors that can trigger your immune system to attack healthy tissue. But modern research has uncovered that these illnesses are much more complicated than that.
Traditional therapies for autoimmune disease rely on blunt-force tactics that yell at the weak immune system until it submits. Steroids, which have the remarkable ability to suppress the entire immune response, may be prescribed for lupus and other autoimmunity conditions; however, these drugs come with serious potential side effects including cancer or death.
To prevent these side effects, it’s essential to assess your overall health and consult a functional medicine practitioner who can create personalized treatment plans tailored for your unique situation. This includes identifying the underlying causes of your autoimmune condition, testing for imbalances, and then implementing an appropriate healing protocol.
Nutritional deficiencies are common among those suffering from autoimmune conditions and can be addressed through a comprehensive diet that emphasizes nutrient dense foods and high quality vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. Nutrients such as vitamin A, D, zinc and magnesium play an important role in relieving inflammation, supporting healing processes and supporting the immune system to function optimally.
Hormones can also play a significant role in the development of an individual’s autoimmune disorder. Working with a functional medicine practitioner for proper testing, an individualized plan to balance hormones, and strategic supplementation can be extremely supportive in this regard.
See Your Healthcare Provider
Autoimmune disorders are a group of chronic health conditions that develop when your immune system mistakenly mistakes healthy tissue (like thyroid, skin, and joints) for foreign invaders. These diseases can range in severity from mild to severe, with different symptoms and effects on daily life depending on which type you have.
Conventional treatment for autoimmune disorders typically involves suppressing your immune system with medications that come with side effects like weight gain or depression. They may also result in other negative health outcomes like increased infection rates and diminished quality of life.
Functional medicine, on the other hand, seeks to identify and treat the underlying causes of your autoimmune disorder by addressing diet and toxin exposure. Remember that healing the body from autoimmune disease takes time; don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results right away!
Once the underlying cause has been addressed, your healthcare provider can work with you to implement lifestyle modifications that promote a healthy immune system and reduce inflammation. These may include dietary modifications, stress management techniques, as well as altering toxin exposure.
Your autoimmune doctor should combine scientific research with clinical experience to craft a tailored plan tailored for you. They must be approachable, balanced, and willing to partner with you on this journey towards better health.
A functional medicine doctor will also assist you in recognizing and eliminating food sensitivities. This can be a challenging task for those already dealing with their condition, but it is an integral step in the healing process.
In addition to diet changes and stress management techniques, you may benefit from supplemental immunoglobulins to deactivate irritants in your gut that could trigger or exacerbate an autoimmune condition. It could also be beneficial to incorporate gut healing therapies such as acupuncture and nutritional supplements into the mix.
Finally, a functional medicine doctor can assist in finding the appropriate medication regimen for your condition. These may include anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive medicines that will work to alleviate symptoms while helping your body restore balance.
For more information or if you would like to discuss treatment and management with Dr Stavy then please contact us via email:info@drstavy.com