Autoimmune disease

Definition:

Autoimmunity is the failure of an organism to recognize its own constituent parts as self, which results in an immune response against its own cells and tissues. Any disease that results from such an aberrant immune response is termed an autoimmune disease. Prominent examples include Coeliac disease, diabetes mellitus type 1 (IDDM), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome, Churg-Strauss Syndrome, multiple sclerosis (MS), Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Mr Stefan Chmelik on Autoimmune disease:

This term covers a range of diseases that involve your immune system reacting against your own body. It includes rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, SLE (Lupus) and other inflammatory conditions. Treatment always involves treating both the direct symptoms of the problem, as well as working with your immune system at the same time.

Each is described in its own section, along with the approach and treatment used.

Dr Brian Kaplan on Autoimmune Disease:

This is a group of many illnesses including SLE where the body’s own immune system is ‘attacking itself’. Although difficult to treat with any form of medicine, it is well worth trying an integrated holistic approach to these conditions.

Orthodox Medicine: often plays an important part in the treatment of these conditions. Patients on conventional drugs such as oral steroids, will be encouraged to stay on those drugs until their GP or consultant agrees that they can be reduced or removed.

Homeopathy: A constitutional homeopathic prescription prescribed for both symptoms and patient is often useful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases but is seldom enough on its own in my experience.

Autogenic Therapy: Deep relaxation is always useful in these distressing conditions and is a mainstay in my management of them.

Nutrition: A healthy diet can also make a big difference in some cases of autoimmune disease and I always make a nutritional assessment in cases of autoimmune disease.

New Medicine Group: Autoimmune diseases are complex and the group often consult each other to ensure that any individual case gets the best possible treatment the group has to offer.