Living with any disease or condition requires discipline, flexibility, and preparation. This is especially true for anyone living with an autoimmune disease. If you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease recently, you will need to adjust your routine and lifestyle to manage the condition well.
What Does “Autoimmune” Mean?
Your body’s immune system is its own innate defense against disease. If you get a cold or the flu, your immune system produces antibodies against the threatening microorganisms. These antibodies work to reduce symptoms and make you well again.
For some people, however, this wonderful defense system escalates for no apparent reason, and it actually attacks the body’s healthy tissues. Symptoms run the gamut from seasonal allergies and headaches to joint pain and chronic fatigues, and more.
People with overactive immune systems may be diagnosed with specific autoimmune disorders. Examples of these disorders include:
- Type-2 diabetes
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Psoriasis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Adrenal fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- MS
- Scleroderma
Symptoms associated with autoimmune disorders can vary widely from person to person. Individuals with autoimmune diseases can experience periods of remission, followed by flare-ups with exacerbated symptoms.
Living With an Autoimmune Disorder
Lifestyle Adjustments Living with an autoimmune disease requires a certain level of preparation. You must be able to make adjustments to your routine and lifestyle, so that the condition remains under control. For instance, some autoimmune diseases get triggered by stress or certain foods. If this is the case, you must be vigilant with stress management and your diet. That way, you can reduce the instances of flare-ups.
Healthy Living Autoimmune diseases are often exasperated by poor overall health. Living a sedentary lifestyle, not maintaining a nutritious diet, and being overweight can all increase the likelihood of flare-ups. It is important to be as healthy as possible in all aspects of your life in order to manage your autoimmune disease as well as possible.
Integrative and Functional Medicine At Alpha Care Wellness Center, you can expect preventive and therapeutic strategies that identify and correct stresses on your immune system while also improving your overall health. Dr. Catherine Oseni is our holistic medicine expert. She often recommends the following strategies to strengthen the immune system and lessen the pain and dysfunction that accompany autoimmune disorders.
- Nutritional supplementation
- A regular program of exercise
- Dietary changes (high fiber, fresh fruits and vegetables, and low-fat proteins) specific to the individual’s needs and habits
- Stress reduction techniques
- Smoking cessation
- Limiting alcohol and caffeine
- Adequate hydration
- Biologics (derived from living organisms) to reduce body-wide inflammation
- Hormone replacement therapy for those struggling through menopause or adrenal gland issues
Treatment plans are highly-individualized and collaborative between the client and doctor, as they focus on disease prevention rather than just management of autoimmune symptoms. This approach helps the body function properly on a daily basis and move toward healing itself.
Holistic Management at Your Wellness Center in Fort Worth, TX
At Alpha Care Wellness Center, we focus on the healthiest possible you – no matter your stage in life. You can conquer your autoimmune symptoms with functional and integrative medicine. For an informative and client-centric consultation with Dr. Catherine Oseni, please contact us at (817) 550-6332, or request an appointment online. We look forward to helping you feel and live better.
