BACKGROUND: Humans have an
immune system that protects
our bodies from disease and
infection. But in patients
with an autoimmune disease,
the immune system attacks
itself by mistake. These
diseases can affect our
connective tissues, nerves,
muscles, digestive system
and endocrine system.
Millions of people worldwide
suffer with autoimmune
diseases. These diseases
occur most commonly in women
during their reproductive
years. Some affect black,
Latina and Native Americans
more than whites. These
diseases tend to run in
families, so genes, along
with environmental
responses, can increase
one's chances of developing
an autoimmune disease. The
most common symptoms of
autoimmune diseases are
chronic pain and fatigue.
Some of the most commonly
known autoimmune diseases
include juvenile diabetes,
lupus, diseases of the
thyroid, multiple sclerosis
(MS) and rheumatoid
arthritis (RA), but there
are more than 80 known types
of autoimmune diseases.
TREATING AUTOIMMUNE
DISEASES: There are
treatments for autoimmune
diseases. Most treat the
symptoms of the disease,
while others may help slow
the progression. Over the
counter pain medications
like aspirin and ibuprofen
can reduce mild to moderate
pain. For those with more
severe pain, prescription
drugs can treat pain,
swelling, fatigue,
depression, anxiety and
sleeping problems. There are
no known cures for
autoimmune disease, but now,
researchers found nature may
hold the key to finding a
cure.
FROM UNLIKELY SOURCES:
Researchers at the
University of California,
Irvine derived natural
compounds from a component
of venom from a Cuban sea
anemone and the rue shrub
plant to block the
autoimmune disease response
in type 1 diabetes and RA.
They work by deterring the
effect of autoimmune
T-cells, white blood cells
that attack the body. The
trick is targeting the
destructive T-cells while
allowing other white blood
cells to fight real diseases
and infection, not the body.
Both compounds block an ion
channel in the destructive
T-cells that prevents them
from producing dangerous
chemicals that attack the
body.
If one is suffering from an
autoimmune disease one
should consider trying a
natural protocol, especially
since Western medicine has
so little to offer for
autoimmune sufferers. A
natural diet as described in
the diet section,
nutritional counseling,
supplementation, herbal
therapy and detoxification
may be helpful. It's very
important to work with a
qualified doctor who will
try to figure out why your
immune system is reacting to
your own body. Is it
something in your diet? Is
it a chemical or a
pollutant? Is there an
underlying food sensitivity
or intestinal problems?
Autoimmune
diseases are the leading cause for death in the United States,
especially among women. However, their exact impact is unknown
because the National Statistical Center did not include all the
diseases in their list of possible causes for death; thus doctors do
not list them on the death certificates. At the same time, analysis
of the data from the Center of Disease Control from 1995 show that
this group of diseases is in the top ten (Am J Public Health, Sep,
2000). According to the National Health Institute, 23.5 million of
Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases; this is 1.5 million more
cases than cases of cardio-vascular disease and 14.5 million more
cases than cases of cancer.
