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Holistic Approach to Autoimmune Disease
A holistic approach to autoimmune disease focuses on understanding the underlying factors that may contribute to chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction. Rather than viewing autoimmune disease as an isolated condition, this perspective considers the interconnected role of nutrition, stress, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and overall whole-body health.
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What are Autoimmune Disorders
A properly functioning immune system can detect the difference between self (what is supposed to be present in the body) and non-self (what is foreign). With autoimmune disorders the immune system attacks healthy cells in the body. This reaction can lead to tissue damage and inflammation either locally or systemically (throughout the whole body).
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What are Autoimmune Disorders
The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association estimates that approximately 50 million Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases, which is more than cancer and heart disease combined.
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What are Autoimmune Disorders
Many factors can trigger an autoimmune disorder. However, there are some common issues associated with autoimmune conditions: digestive problems, exposure to food allergies or sensitivities, toxins, nutritional deficiencies, latent viruses, hormonal imbalance and other immune system imbalances. Often the development of an autoimmune disease is caused by multiple factors.
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Testing for Autoimmune Disorders
Testing for autoimmune disorders involves identifying the individual triggers which are often specific to the individual. Triggers are identified by asking the right questions and ordering the right tests.
The types of tests that may be appropriate for individuals with autoimmune disorders include: tests for digestive function such as leaky gut (intestinal permeability), tests for imbalances in gut bacteria (SIBO), tests for food sensitivities, tests for latent viruses & bacteria such as Epstein Barr, Proteus and Lyme, hormonal testing, tests for toxins including heavy metals & chemicals,
It is estimated that up to 80% of the immune system lives in the gut.
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Types of Autoimmune Disorders
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences reports that there are more than 80 different autoimmune diseases. These are some of the more common autoimmune diseases: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Autoimmune Hepatitis, Celiac Disease, Crohn’s Disease, Diabetes, Endometriosis, Graves Disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Multiple Sclerosis, PANDAS, POTS, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, Sjogren’s, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Ulcerative Colitis and more.
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Natural Medicine and Autoimmune Disease
The conventional medical approach to autoimmune disease is the use of immune suppressing drugs. Although the conventional approach can save lives and help patients manage their autoimmunity better, it does not address the underlying causes and triggers of the autoimmune condition.
From a holistic approach to autoimmune disease, the goal of natural medicine is to explore and address the potential causes of inflammation in order to support the body’s balance and help slow or reverse the progression of the condition.
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What patients are saying
Dr. Cafaro cares for her patients, takes time and goes the extra mile to find ways to help them. I started to work with Dr. Cafaro a year and a half ago, and I cannot tell you what a blessing she has been. Dr Cafaro was able to help me with my Multiple Sclerosis. I was able to stabilize my health and am able to do many more things. She has been able to help me with any problem I approached her with, be it small or big.