Autoimmune Disease Treatment

There are close to 80 different types of autoimmune disease, most of which are commonly known by the names of the condition they manifest as, such as Crohn’s, celiac disease, diabetes type 1 and so on. Many millions of Americans suffer from one or more autoimmune disease, the majority of these being female.

Autoimmune diseases are many and varied and they are labelled according to the part of the body they affect. Autoimmune disease most typically affects women and it is estimated that many millions of Americans suffer from one or more autoimmune disease. Genetics also play a big role in who gets autoimmune diseases, so if you have a family history of them, you are at increased risk.

With over 80 chronic autoimmune diseases in existence, identifying an autoimmune disease in a child can prove to be a very difficult task. Pediatric autoimmune conditions are rarely diagnosed, but according to the American Autoimmune Related Disease Association (AARDA), approximately 50 million Americans suffer from an autoimmune disease; that is one in every five Americans.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease which is a disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues in the body causing a wide range of health issues. Because symptoms can come and go, many people don’t realize they have an autoimmune response happening. Rather they may think they are simply sick with a virus, or they may have been diagnosed with some other health issue since lupus symptoms mimic those of other diseases.

Crohn’s Disease is a an autoimmune disease that negatively affects the health of the GI tract. Those who are diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease possess antibodies that mistakenly attack the healthy intestinal bacteria that would otherwise protect you.

Endometriosis is a painful condition that affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age (12-60 years old) in the U.S. and 176 million women worldwide, according to the Endometriosis Foundation of America. Normally, endometrial tissue lines the uterus, thickens, breaks apart, and eventually sheds from the body during a female’s monthly menstrual cycle.

Lyme Disease is an infection that is borne from the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted by ticks and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 300,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease every year. Even still, there are many, many more who suffer the debilitating symptoms of Lyme disease and have yet to receive a proper diagnosis.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes a buildup of red, scaly, and irritated patches.It is the most common type of autoimmune disease in the United States, affecting as many as 7.5 million Americans. Most often, psoriasis affects areas on or around the elbows, knees, scalp, and torso. Depending on the severity of the condition, certain topical creams and ointments can provide symptomatic relief but because psoriasis is an autoimmune disease at it’s core, the most effective treatments will directly address the health and function of the immune system.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the consumption of gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye) causes the immune system to attack the lining of the small intestine. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, this painful condition affects 1 in every 100 people worldwide. Out of those affected, 2.5 million Americans are without proper diagnosis. As with most autoimmune disorders, Celiac disease is difficult to diagnose. The symptoms are vast and varied, and many are telltale signs of other, more common disorders. If left untreated, Celiac disease can lead to severe, long-term health complications.

Multiple sclerosis is one of many enigmas in the realm of autoimmune diseases. An autoimmune disease affecting the communication between the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the rest of the body, M.S. is associated with debilitating side effects which, if left untreated, can lead to disability. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, multiple sclerosis (M.S.) is presumed to affect more than 2.3 million people around the world. The severity of M.S. depends on multiple factors, but many people  have been able to subdue or even reverse the effects of M.S. with holistic treatments that effectively nurture the immune system.

According to the American College of Rheumatology, RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) affects more than 1.3 million Americans, 75% of which are women. RA is a chronic autoimmune disease that usually affects people over the age of 40, but can also affect men and women at a younger age.