Autoimmune diseases are chronic conditions where the body’s immune system (immunity), attacks various organs and bodily systems.

Unfortunately, millions of people are affected by autoimmune diseases such as lupus and thyroid disease. The number of patients affected by autoimmune diseases continues to grow each year. The symptoms of autoimmune diseases can range from extreme fatigue and pain to reduced bodily functions and more.

Many of the medications prescribed to those with life-threatening diseases don’t work or have severe side effects. Medical experts such as Dr. Kan of the Ask Dr. Kan show have taken a holistic approach in tackling this epidemic.

How can someone who has these life-altering illnesses turn things around, without having to take immune-suppressing drugs with harmful side effects?

Six holistic approaches to fighting Autoimmune Disease

Pinpoint the cause

You and your doctor should try to determine the cause of your disease. Lifestyle issues, such as food allergies, an infection, or a virus, can all contribute to autoimmune disease. Your doctor will run tests to determine the cause of your autoimmune symptoms and flare-ups.

Change Your Diet

A diet that increases inflammation or triggers an allergic reaction will only worsen your autoimmune condition. You’ll have to develop a diet plan that is tailored for your autoimmune disease. Incorporate more fruit, green vegetables, complex carbohydrates, and proteins into your diet, while eliminating allergens such as gluten.

Detox

The body is constantly exposed to harmful chemicals, from lifestyle choices to environmental factors. These contaminants can cause autoimmune diseases and weaken the immune systems. It is advised that you detox safely to remedy the issue. Detoxification and proper hydration help to flush out the system, which can help get rid of viruses, infections, parasites and other diseases. You should consult a nutritionist or medical professional as not all detoxification is created equal. To improve your health, you want to make sure that you are using safe practices.

Integrate Healthy Products

Your body may need some help to rebalance and fight disease. It may not be enough for you to eat the right foods. You can purchase Neurometabolic or Probiotic supplements, such as those available at the Ask Dr. Kan Shop, to improve your brain and gut health. To see results, you’ll have to take these supplements regularly.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise for an hour a day can help reduce flare-ups of autoimmune diseases, improve your immune system and reduce stress. Regular exercise helps to reduce inflammation, which in turn relieves the pain that is a common condition for people with such conditions. Maintaining a healthy body weight is also beneficial to someone with rheumatoid arthritis, as extra weight can make pain worse. Exercise is also an effective stress reliever as it reduces cortisol.

Exercise can help you to feel better. Consider low-impact activities such as walking or swimming. You can start with just a few moments each day, and gradually increase to an hour 3-5 days a week.

Reduce Stress

Stress can be a terrible thing for people with autoimmune diseases. Chronic stress can cause pain in many people. According to studies, higher cortisol can cause pain. You want to reduce stress as much as you can.

Ask for help if you need it. There are many ways to relieve stress, including taking a bath or reading a book. Use these strategies to reduce your stress.

It can be challenging to live with an autoimmune disorder. Some people find relief from prescription drugs, but the unpredictable success rate and adverse side effects make them look for alternative solutions. Talk to your doctor about the above methods if you’re one of these people.

The article Holistic Approaches for Treating Autoimmune Diseases first appeared on Alternative Medicine Magazine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between alternative medicine and complementary medicine?

Alternative medicine is any treatment that isn’t considered standard by mainstream medical practitioners but which has been shown to have benefits for some conditions. You can find examples of acupuncture as homeopathy, aromatherapy or reflexology, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and even naturopathy. Complementary medicines are therapies that can be used alongside traditional medicine. These include vitamins, minerals and herbs, as well as amino acids, enzymes and probiotics.

Both forms of medicine may be used. However, most conventional doctors will not recommend them due either to insufficient evidence nor safety concerns.

There isn’t consensus among health-care providers on the best way to incorporate CAM into patient treatment.

Many CAM methods are based on theories that have been developed over thousands of year. However, clinical trials over the past 20 years suggest that some of these therapies might work.

Many studies show that acupuncture may help relieve pain. Similarly, preliminary data show that it may reduce nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. Other studies suggest that acupuncture may improve symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, migraines, tension headaches, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Some CAM techniques may also be beneficial in treating diseases like HIV/AIDS (AIDS), diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.

Although there is still much to learn about the effectiveness and safety of CAM, experts are unanimous in their belief that it can be used to treat various conditions.

People are increasingly turning to CAM practitioners to find relief from common ailments.

Despite growing popularity, many remain confused about the definition of “alternative” or complementary medicine.

What are the strengths of holistic medicine compared to conventional medicine?

Many religions, cultures, and nations have used holistic remedies for thousands upon thousands of years. They were based upon ancient knowledge and experienced.

These medicines are safe and effective. They also come at a reasonable price. Side effects of these medicines are very low compared to pharmaceutical drugs.

They can help you attain better health, and overall wellness.

They can protect you from disease and improve your overall wellbeing.

They can even treat diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease, arthritis, asthma or depression, as well as high blood pressure.

There are hundreds of traditional medicines in the world. Each has its own benefits.

The World Health Organization has estimated that around 80% rely on traditional methods of treating illness and injury.

According to reports, half a billion people use traditional herbal remedies as their primary healthcare.

By 2020, the global market for complementary therapy is expected to be worth $22.2 billion.

To avoid side effects from conventional treatments, people are turning to alternative methods of medical care.

People often turn to complementary therapies for treatment when they are not able to respond to conventional treatments. They may also attempt them before resorting or taking medication.

There are several reasons why people choose complementary therapies:

To improve quality of life
To reduce stress levels
For relaxation
To relieve pain
To enhance immunity
Supportive services for dealing with serious diseases
To boost energy
To control weight
To maintain good nutrition
To improve sleep patterns
To deal avec chronic conditions

What is the Difference between Naturopathic and Holistic Medicines?

The two main types of medicine are conventional medicine and complementary/alternative medicine. Conventional medicine is based on drugs and surgery. Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM) uses natural therapies such as herbs, vitamins, acupuncture, and massage to treat illness and promote health. The CAM is not intended to be a replacement for conventional treatment. It is meant to assist patients who wish to have control over their own healthcare and choose what is best.

On the other hand, naturopathy is used to complement conventional medical practices. It treats the whole person, including mind and soul. There are many different forms of naturopathy, including Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Traditional Native American Medicine, and Functional Medicine.

It is important to remember that some CAM modalities overlap slightly with conventional medicine. Both doctors and naturopaths may prescribe herbal remedies. But, naturopaths are more concerned with lifestyle changes than prescribing medications.

Naturopathy is often called “complementary” or “complementary”, because it works with traditional medicine rather than replacing it. Naturopaths could prescribe medication, if needed.

There are some differences in naturopathic medicine from other CAM modalities.

Naturopaths are not qualified to prescribe or diagnose medication.
Naturopaths will work with the patient’s family medicine and may refer patients outpatients to specialists, if necessary.
The provincial licensing boards for Naturopathic physicians regulate Naturopathic physicians, while CAM practitioners can be self-regulated.
Naturopathy stresses prevention and wellness, while offering education on diet and exercise.
Naturopaths strongly emphasize lifestyle factors, which include nutrition, sleep, stress management, exercise, and mental well-being.
Naturopharmacists can use botanicals and mineral to treat specific conditions.
Naturopodists are trained to provide individualized care based on each patient’s unique needs.
Regulation bodies such as the College of Naturopathic Physicians of Ontario issue licenses to Naturopaths.
The provincial regulatory bodies issue licenses to naturopatrists.
Naturopaticians have been registered with The Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.
The College of Naturopaths of British Columbia is responsible for licensing Naturotherapists.
The United States National Board of Medical Examiners has licensed Naturobiotic Therapists.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency licenses homeopaths.
Holistic refers to the belief in all aspects of one’s life, including spiritual, physical, and emotional. Holistic doctors will look at all of these aspects rather than just one.

What is holistic medical opposite?

Holistic medicine is an approach to health care that considers all aspects of the human body and its emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental dimensions. Holistic medicine is based in the notion that any illness must have multiple causes. This means that it needs a combination of treatment options to be effective.

Holistic medicine is a form of holistic medicine. They believe prevention is better than treatment. To achieve optimal wellness, holistic medicine doctors work closely alongside their patients.

They work to find the root cause of disease and prevent it recurring. Holistic doctors consider the whole body and not just the individual organs. Holistic physicians often refer to the whole being as “the Body”.

This means that they go beyond skin care and treat the entire body holistically. The doctor may suggest lifestyle and diet changes. He might also recommend yoga or meditation, herbal supplements, massages, acupuncture, chiropractic care, or other forms alternative medicine.

Statistics

In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

How to make a career in Holistic Medicine

The field, known as holistic medicine, is growing at an unparalleled rate. This career path can be pursued in many different ways. However, returning to school is probably the best way to do it if you want to commit to this profession.

Several schools offer courses in holistic medicine. One of these schools is the National College for Complementary Medicines, which offers both undergraduate degrees and postgraduate programs. Many programs are available for medical professionals wishing to enter the field.

In addition, numerous online universities are offering holistic health classes as well. The Institute of Integrative Nutrition is one such program. This college provides students with many holistic health education tools.

Another option is to apply for a traditional 4-year college. Many colleges offer holistic health courses. A Bachelor’s Degree is offered by the University of California in Holistic Health Sciences.

A course in nutrition is a good option if you are interested in pursuing a career as a holistic physician. NCCM recommends students take courses in nutrition before beginning any professional training. A good knowledge of nutrition is crucial for integrative medicine.

Holistic medicine treats the whole person, not just symptoms. This requires more knowledge and skills than conventional medicine. Holistic medicine also requires understanding of how to evaluate different types and illnesses from a nutritional standpoint.

According to the NCCM, nutritionists often collaborate with doctors to offer dietary advice to patients. Some even go so far as to suggest specific diets or supplements based on their assessment of the patient’s condition.

Holistic practitioners need to be able to understand basic nutrition principles. This includes knowing the best foods and those that are not. This includes identifying nutritional deficiencies and other problems that could be causing them.

It is important for holistic practitioners to realize that not all specialize in nutrition. Some focus mainly on herbal treatments, while others concentrate solely on acupuncture. Some combine the two methods into one.

Most holistic practitioners advocate a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and nuts. They recommend eating lots of seafood and fish. They recommend avoiding fast food and processed foods. They recommend that people eat as much organic produce as possible.

A balanced diet is a key factor in preventing disease, which holistic practitioners all agree on. That said, there are some things about which they disagree. For example, they don’t believe gluten causes celiac. Instead, they believe that a shortage of nutrients is the cause.

However, they agree that allergic reactions can be triggered by certain foods. Anaphylaxis is caused by shellfish and peanuts, according to them. They also warn against excessive caffeine.

Many holistic practitioners prefer to use herbs for various conditions, but they don’t recommend the use of drugs. Because such drugs are not effective in solving the problem but only mask it, holistic practitioners avoid using them. Because of this, they prefer to use natural remedies whenever possible.

Holistic practitioners offer a range of alternative therapies and often employ complementary methods. These include:

Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that involves strategically placing needles in the skin. This stimulates the body’s healing process.
Herbal therapy: Holistic practitioners may use herbs to treat various conditions in addition to acupuncture. Ginseng is a common herb used in this area.
Homeopathy – Another type of traditional Chinese medicine is homeopathy. It’s based on similar cures. Suppose you experience a symptom similar to one that occurs when someone else has a particular ailment. If this happens, it is important to seek out a remedy that contains the exact same ingredients as the original substance.
Massage therapy – Many holistic practitioners offer massage therapies to promote relaxation. It is also claimed to improve blood circulation, increase energy levels, and reduce muscle tension.

Make sure you are satisfied with the services provided by your chosen practitioner. For example, a practitioner who specializes in nutrition counseling is a good choice. You can also learn more about acupuncture by contacting a practitioner who is certified by the American Association of Oriental Medicine.

Ask your doctor if you have questions about holistic health care before making any decision. Your insurance provider may be able to provide information about which services you are covered.

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By: jbenson@innovisionhm.com
Title: Holistic Approaches to Treating Autoimmune Diseases
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/conditions/autoimmune-conditions/holistic-approaches-to-treating-autoimmune-diseases/
Published Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2023 19:18:36 +0000