Autoimmune Disorders

At Advanced Natural Medicine we work with your immune system to help re-set and balance it.  Our practitioner, Joe Sutich, is on an international website for ITP https://pdsa.org/patient-warrior-stories/128-short-stories?highlight=WyJqb2UncyIsImpvZSIsImpvZWwiLCJqb2V5IiwiXHUyMDFjam9lIiwic3V0aWNoIl0=  and has supported individuals in various countries with autoimmune disorders.  (Results may vary from person to person.)

Autoimmune disorders contribute to the increasing number of modern day diseases and are becoming more and more common.

There are over a hundred known autoimmune disorders.   Some examples are: thyroid immune disorders, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, ITP and connective tissue disorders.

For many autoimmune disorders, the main medical treatment is often steroids, such as Prednisone.  This doesn’t treat the underlying cause, however.

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What Is an Autoimmune Condition?

Our immune system is in place to protect us. It helps recognise and respond to things that may be harmful to the body, such as bacteria and viruses.

An autoimmune condition happens when the immune system mistakenly reacts against the body’s own cells, tissues or organs.

There are many different autoimmune conditions, and they can affect different parts of the body. These include conditions affecting the thyroid, joints, digestive system, skin, nervous system and other tissues.

Some people may experience pain, inflammation, digestive problems, skin changes or fatigue. Others may have symptoms that come and go, making it difficult to understand why they don’t always feel the same from one day to the next.

Living with an autoimmune condition can be challenging. Often, people are looking for ways to better understand their health and support their wellbeing alongside their existing medical care.

At Advanced Natural Medicine, we take time to look at the whole person rather than just the diagnosis.

Understanding Your Immune System

The immune system is incredibly complex.

With autoimmune conditions, the issue isn’t simply that the immune system is “weak”. Instead, the immune response can become incorrectly directed or overactive towards the body’s own tissues.

This is why we focus on healthy immune regulation and balance, rather than simply trying to “boost” the immune system.

Understanding what may be contributing to your individual symptoms can be an important first step.

Inflammation and Autoimmune Conditions

Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s defence and repair processes.

However, ongoing inflammatory activity can be associated with many autoimmune conditions and may contribute to symptoms such as discomfort, swelling, skin changes or fatigue.

A naturopathic approach considers the factors that can support healthy inflammatory balance, including nutrition, digestion, lifestyle, sleep and stress.

The goal is not simply to focus on inflammation as an isolated symptom. We look at the bigger picture of your health.

The Connection Between Your Gut and Immune System

Your digestive system and immune system are closely connected.

The gastrointestinal tract plays an important role in immune function, which means digestive health can be an important part of an overall health assessment.

This is particularly relevant when someone with an autoimmune condition is also experiencing digestive symptoms.

We may look at things such as:

• Bloating
• Reflux
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Changes in bowel habits
• Food reactions
• Digestive discomfort

Digestive symptoms don’t necessarily mean that your autoimmune condition has been caused by your gut. Autoimmune conditions are complex and can involve many different factors.

However, supporting good digestive health can be an important part of supporting your overall wellbeing.

Your Gut Microbiome

Inside your digestive system is a diverse community of microorganisms known as the gut microbiome.

These microorganisms interact with the digestive system and the immune system and are an important area of ongoing research.

Maintaining a healthy and diverse gut environment may therefore be one consideration when looking at overall immune and digestive health.

This is one reason we don’t always look at autoimmune conditions in isolation. Your digestive health, diet and lifestyle can all form part of the wider picture.

Nutrition Matters

Good nutrition is important for everyone, but it can become particularly important when you’re managing a chronic health condition.

Your body needs a range of nutrients to support normal immune function, energy production, tissue repair and everyday health.

Rather than automatically placing someone on a highly restrictive diet, we prefer to understand what you are currently eating, what symptoms you’re experiencing and whether there are obvious nutritional gaps or dietary patterns worth exploring.

Food can be an important part of your health programme without making eating unnecessarily complicated.

Food Reactions and Individual Tolerance

Some people living with autoimmune conditions notice that certain foods don’t agree with them.

However, food reactions can be complicated, and not every reaction represents a food allergy or intolerance.

Removing large numbers of foods without a clear reason can also make it harder to maintain a balanced diet.

If food appears to be connected to your symptoms, we can look at your individual history and patterns rather than simply assuming that the same foods are problematic for everyone.

Stress and Immune Health

Stress is a normal part of life, but ongoing stress can affect many areas of our health.

It can influence sleep, digestion, energy, mood and the way the body responds to everyday challenges.

For someone already managing an autoimmune condition, additional stress can make maintaining healthy routines more difficult.

This is why stress management is often part of a broader health programme.

Simple things such as regular movement, time outdoors, relaxation, breathing exercises, good nutrition and making time for proper rest can all contribute to general wellbeing.

Sleep and Recovery

Good quality sleep is one of the foundations of health.

When you’re dealing with ongoing symptoms, pain or digestive problems, getting enough restorative sleep can sometimes be difficult.

Poor sleep can then leave you feeling tired, less resilient and less able to cope with the demands of everyday life.

Looking at sleep patterns, bedtime routines and factors that may be interfering with your rest can therefore be an important part of supporting your overall health.

Skin and Autoimmune Health

Some autoimmune conditions can directly affect the skin, while skin problems can also occur alongside other immune-related conditions.

Dryness, irritation, rashes and inflammation can be frustrating and may affect confidence as well as physical comfort.

When skin symptoms are present, we can consider them alongside your nutrition, digestion, immune health and lifestyle rather than looking at the skin completely on its own.

Every Person Is Different

There is no single “autoimmune diet” or perfect formula for dealing with an autoimmune condition.  If you want to be seen and listened to as an individual (not a condition!), consider booking an appointment with us here at Advanced Natural Medicine.