Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances ( preservatives, dyes, pesticides…) and tissues normally present in the body. In other words, the body in the process of trying to defend itself against Foreign elements, it beings to see its own cells as and enemy and attacks. This attack may be restricted to certain organs such as the thyroid that begins to work less effective or involve a particular tissue in different places (Goodpasture’s disease which may affect the basement membrane in both the lung and the kidney). Or it can effect the intestinal walls of people with CD or UC, in which place along the wall become thin and inflame, causing the harsh chemical of this world, along with parasites and fungus ( yeast infection ) to seep into the blood stream.
The treatment of autoimmune diseases is typically with immunosuppressant medication which decreases the immune response.
( wiki encyclopedia)
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A person may have more than one autoimmune disorder at the same time. Examples of autoimmune (or autoimmune-related) disorders include:
Crohn's disease
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Pernicious anemia ( b12 deficiency)
Addison’s disease
Type 1 diabetes
Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus
Dermatomyositis
Sjogren Syndrom
Multiple sclerosis
Myasthenia gravis
Reactive arthritis
Graves Disease
Celiac disease-spure
Parkinsons Disease
( http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/autoimmune-disorders/overview.html )
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My personal notes
Although, we may find ourselves diagnosed with CD as UC , we may also find ourselves battling other issues that are effected by dysfunctional immune system Hypothyroidism can cause a wide varity of serious issue such as chronic pain, chronic fatigue, weakness, dizziness to name a few. I am not only at this time dealing with the chronic fatigue cause by a thyroid that is not working effective. I battle with regulating my blood sugar as well as dealing with constant sinus infections that won’t go away, no matter how much antibiotics I take. I battle high blood pressure and low blood pressure. Constipation and diarrhea and most of the time together. And to make things real interesting, if you have a cold, stay away from me! Because if I get it, I will either end up in the hospital with phenomena, or at the very least take a few weeks to over come it and get my strength back. I stay always from flu shoots, because even the smallest virus in the shot itself with insure that I get a double dose of the flu, instead of preventing it.
Immunosuppressant, although a common remedy for any immune system dysfunction, suppress that immune system so badly it can not fight of even the smallest infection. While antibiotics given to fight infection that was caused by a weakened immune system, weaken it further as it kills that good bacteria along with the bad.
So how do I help my immune system? That has been a good question with no simple answer. I simple take each issue and deal with it one day at a time. So far, despite my chronic sinus infection, my CD is in remission, my chronic pain is down to one daily ache instead of over whelming agony. My blood sugar is doing well as long as I have a protein shake a few times a day. I am in the process of learning how to deal with my thyroid issue that has been left untreated by doctors for 30 years…
One thing that I know for sure, that is that despite having to deal with several Autoimmune diseases at one time, has been a road filled with frustration and often anger. On the other hand, I still find it with in me to find the strength and will power to get up each morning and prepare my school lessons for the day. Do I do this because I have some kind of inner strength that you do not process? I don’t think so! I am a simple person that has dealt with this issue for so long, with very little medical intervention that I have learned to accept what I can change and to change the things that I can that will help me to feel better in the long run…I believe every person battling with a chronic illness and pain has it with in them to deal with their illness with less frustration if they will just learn to be more patient with themselves.
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