AutoImmunity (AI) encompasses a wide variety of diseases and pre-disease states. There are numerous underlying issues in the body, which when triggered by environmental, infectious, toxic and severe stress situations, manifest the autoimmune response.
What is autoimmunity? It is when the immune system has developed antibodies, usually to a foreign protein in the blood stream, then that antibody sees your own cell protein have the same shape and it ‘tags’ those proteins for destruction. The other component is that your immune system has failed to ‘call off the attack’.
Autoimmunity has increased greatly in the last 40 years. It has many different causes, underlying conditions and encompasses a wide variety of symptoms. AI requires specific, comprehensive treatment and thorough analysis of laboratory testing for targeted treatment. Medical treatment is aimed at diminishing your immune system to decrease the attack. Functional medicine approaches this by finding and supporting the body’s poorly functioning processes and immune vulnerabilities. While there is no cure, effective treatment can often bring partial or complete remission of symptoms and function. Lab findings similarly improve.
The complexity of is that dozens of triggers can stimulate the autoimmune process. A well experienced FM practitioner recognizes that you must treat all the triggers simultaneously, like holding down all the ‘whack-a-moles’ in that child’s arcade game.
Your immune system protects your body from viruses and other infectious attacks. Unfortunately, your system can turn on itself and create autoimmune disorders. These conditions can be triggered by the environment, stress, infections, or heredity. Autoimmunity dysfunction destroys healthy cells, affecting your body structure and energy levels. If you live with autoimmune issues in Santa Clara, CA, Dr. Michael Pierce can help you at the Wellness Revolution Health Center.
What Are Some Autoimmune Issues?
Autoimmune diseases occur when antibodies misidentify and attack the body's tissues, or the immune system doesn’t “call off its attack” once an infection is defeated. One of the most common autoimmunity problems is rheumatoid arthritis. This disease causes painful inflammation in the joints’ protective lining. In some cases, it can lead to painful deformities of the limbs. Lupus is another disease that can affect several organs, such as the kidneys and skin. People with lupus may also have joint issues.
Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis are often related to immune system response and allergies. Someone with psoriasis can have scaly patches over any part of the body due to skin cells multiplying rapidly.
How Can Functional Medicine Help?
When you visit a functional medicine expert like Dr. Pierce, he will evaluate your condition using several methods. Lab testing can detect illnesses lurking in your system that you can still intervene to prevent from developing. He can provide nutritional counseling to help the body achieve health and balance and regulate hormones. If your autoimmune issues in Santa Clara, CA, are connected to allergies, finding the trigger can help you avoid flare-ups. Blood tests, skin patch tests, and nutritional reflex testing can help find the root of food-related allergies or other digestive disorders like celiac disease.
Chiropractic care through spinal adjustments and soft tissue manipulation can improve your overall nervous system function. It can also improve blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, so toxins can naturally be removed from the body. Dr. Pierce can demonstrate stretching techniques you can do at home to reduce swelling. During your functional medical evaluation, your doctor can review various lifestyle modifications that enhance your immune system. One of the best things you can do is to avoid stress or develop healthy coping techniques. Exercise releases endorphins, and getting adequate sleep promotes overall well-being and decreases anxiety.
When you have an autoimmune problem in Santa Clara, CA, it is time to visit the Wellness Revolution Health Center. Dr. Pierce has been serving the community for several years and knows how to provide comprehensive care for the whole body. Learn more about improving your overall wellness by calling 408-296-6133.