What Is An Autoimmune Disease?

Your immune system is your body’s way of protecting itself against the various pathogens out there, including bacteria, viruses and parasites.

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An important part of your immune system is your white blood cells. These cells constantly patrol your body, looking for unwelcome pathogens. When they recognize such a pathogen, they mount an attack against it.

However, in some cases, your immune system recognizes a part of your own body as a pathogen, and mounts an attack against it. Sometimes, it attacks your entire body, and others, just a single organ.

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What Causes Autoimmune Diseases?

We haven’t yet pinpointed a specific cause for why your immune system begins to attack your body.

However, we do know certain groups of people are at greater risk. Women are about twice as likely to develop an autoimmune condition vs. men. Certain ethnic groups are at greater risk of some disorders as well. Lupus, for example, affects particularly those of Hispanic and African ancestries. Others, like multiple sclerosis, seem to be inherited.

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The western diet and environmental factors may also contribute, since the prevalence of autoimmune disorders is on the rise in developed countries.

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There are many different types of autoimmune diseases. Below, you can read more about some of the more common ones, and the solutions naturopathic medicine can offer.

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Naturopathic Treatments For Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks many different systems in your body. This may include your heart, lungs, brain, kidneys, blood cells, joints, and skin.

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Because so many of the symptoms of lupus are common with other disorders, it’s difficult to diagnose. But the most common symptom is a butterfly-shaped rash across both cheeks on your face.

However, each case of lupus is different. Depending on your individual case, you may experience:

• Fever

• Joint pain

• Stiffness and swelling

• Rashes

• Lesions sensitive to the Sun

• Chest pain

• Headaches

• Memory loss

• Dry eyes

• Shortness of breath

• Extremities that turn blue or white during periods of cold or stress

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The exact cause of lupus is not exactly known, but if you’re already predisposed to the condition, it may be triggered by the right conditions. This includes sunlight, certain infections, or certain medications. As for risk factors, women between ages 15 and 45 of African, Hispanic, or Asian descent are at the highest risk.

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If left untreated, complications from lupus can be deadly.

Currently, there is no known cure for lupus. However, naturopathic treatments may be effective in helping you manage your lupus symptoms to help you live a normal life.

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Book a FREE consultation with one of our experienced naturopathic doctors to learn how naturopathic medicine can help you deal with your condition. Book your appointment today!

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Naturopathic Treatments For Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition where your skin cells multiply faster than they’re supposed to. New skin cells replace the old ones every 10-30 days, but with psoriasis they can replace themselves as quickly as every 3-4 days. This can lead your skin to build up in thick, bumpy, scaly patches – called plaques. It generally affects a small area of the body – most commonly the elbows, knees, scalp, or lower back – but in more extreme cases it can be found more widely across your body.

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These plaques can be itchy, painful, and may crack and bleed. It can also affect your nails, causing them to be discolored, pitted, or detach from your nail bed.

There are several types of psoriasis, including:

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Guttate Psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis generally affects children or young adults. It causes small red spots to appear on the body, most commonly on arms, legs, and torso. It may be triggered by certain infections, skin injury, stress, and certain pharmaceutical drugs

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Inverse Psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis causes shiny lesions, usually bright red in color, to appear under the armpits or breasts, groin area, or other skin folds.

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Pustular Psoriasis

With pustular psoriasis, the skin on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet will become red and scaly. Tiny pustules will form on them.

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Erythrodermic Psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis may be one of the most painful manifestations of this disorder. It causes fiery redness of your skin, and often leads to sheets of skin shedding off. Certain infections, pharmaceutical drugs, or severe sunburn may trigger erythrodermic psoriasis, and without treatment it can lead to serious illness.