What is an autoimmune condition?
An autoimmune disorder occurs when the immune system attacks healthy tissues. A normally functioning immune system marshalls substances, called antibodies, to fight outside invaders, like bacteria and viruses.
With an autoimmune disorder, your immune system goes into overdrive and can't distinguish between healthy tissues and foreign substances. As a result, it attacks normal cells and tissues.
What are the types of autoimmune conditions?
Autoimmune conditions come in more than 80 different types. Crohn’s disease, type 1 diabetes, and ulcerative colitis are just three kinds of autoimmune conditions. Other common ones include:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid arthritis causes chronic swelling and pain in your joints, such as your hands, wrists, feet, and knees. Your joints also may feel stiff, especially first thing in the morning or after a period of inactivity.
Lupus
Lupus may affect many areas of your body, such as your joints, skin, and organs. It comes in several forms, but the more common, serious type is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Chronic thyroiditis (Hashimoto disease)
Chronic thyroiditis affects your thyroid, an important gland located in your neck. This autoimmune condition tends to develop slowly, gradually leading to an unhealthy decline in your thyroid hormone levels.
What are the signs of autoimmune conditions?
Symptoms of these disorders vary based on the type and location of the defective immune response. Common symptoms to look for include:
- Ill feeling
- Rash
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Joint pain
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, visit House of Healing for a comprehensive evaluation of your condition.
How are autoimmune conditions treated?
At House of Healing, Dr. Sidhu takes a whole-person approach to help you heal instead of just masking your symptoms with drugs.
The goals of your integrative treatment plan include:
- Managing the autoimmune process
- Promoting your natural immune system
- Controlling symptoms
Dr. Sidhu tailors your treatment to your autoimmune condition and symptoms. She may suggest taking supplements to replace a substance your body lacks, such as:
- Insulin
- Hormones
- Vitamin B12
She may recommend exercises or physical therapy to help restore movement in your affected muscles or joints. You also may need to take medications, but Dr. Sidhu doesn't rely on drugs alone. Instead, she emphasizes functional, integrative approaches to address autoimmune conditions.
Get the person-centered care you deserve. Call House of Healing today or book your consultation online.
