What is autoimmune disease?
An autoimmune disease is an illness that causes your immune system to produce antibodies that attack normal body tissues. It sees a part of your body or a process as a disease and attacks itself. Researchers have identified 80-100 different autoimmune diseases and suspect at least 40 additional diseases of having an autoimmune basis. These diseases are chronic and can be life-threatening.
Some of the more common autoimmune diseases include:
- Diabetes (Type 1)
- Lupus
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Celiac Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Psoriasis
- Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
How can Well Integrative Medicine help me?
Conventional approaches to autoimmune conditions often rely on immunosuppressant treatments which can lead to long-term side effects. Using a functional medicine approach, we start with a look at GI health, optimizing digestion, absorption, and assimilation of food. Why do we do this first? By initially focusing on nourishing and healing the body via the GI system, we positively impact not only gastrointestinal symptoms but also other symptoms present in the body. Focusing on the GI tract first has proven to be highly effective in our total course of treatment for autoimmune disorders.
Request a consultation at Well Integrative Medicine in Chicago
If you are suffering from an autoimmune disease, Well Integrative Medicine can help. Request an appointment with us by calling 773-784-7000 or submitting the form on our site. We look forward to helping you reach optimal health.