Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune diseases are often difficult to accurately diagnose and manage. Andrew Martin, MSN-FNP-C, and the team at Southern Secrets Med Spa and Clinic in Conroe, Texas, provide support and medical expertise when navigating autoimmune conditions and getting relief from bothersome, sometimes debilitating, symptoms. Call the office today to request an appointment to get the compassionate care needed when you have an autoimmune disease.
Autoimmune Disease Q & A
What are autoimmune diseases?
Over 80 different medical conditions fall under the umbrella term of autoimmune disease. These conditions occur when your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body, causing various symptoms.
Usually, your immune system protects you from foreign invaders, like germs, viruses, and bacteria. When you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system misinterprets certain cells or tissue in your own body as “foreign” and attacks them.
What are common autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune diseases can affect just one organ or type of tissue or multiple ones. Blood vessels, muscles, joints, and skin can all be potentially affected by autoimmune conditions.
These are some of the more common autoimmune diseases:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Type 1 diabetes
- Multiple sclerosis
- Psoriasis
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Autoimmune diseases can be successfully managed. The team at Southern Secrets Med Spa and Clinic can help minimize flare-ups during which symptoms are especially acute.
What causes autoimmune diseases?
The reason why some people acquire autoimmune diseases isn’t entirely clear. Researchers believe certain drugs or microorganisms might trigger changes that confuse the immune system, such as viruses or bacteria.
There is also a genetic component associated with autoimmune conditions. The immune system may be more easily confused in people with autoimmune diseases in the family.
Other factors that may play a factor in your risk of developing an autoimmune disease include:
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Food sensitivities
- Oxidative stress
- Increased intestinal permeability
- Hormonal imbalances
- Heavy metal toxicity
In susceptible people, environmental triggers, and stress may turn on a gene that causes the immune system to malfunction.
How is an autoimmune disease treated?
Autoimmune diseases are often a life-long condition. The goal of treatment isn’t to cure, but to minimize your symptoms and flare-ups, so you live a comfortable and healthy life.
At Southern Secrets Med Spa and Clinic, the team focuses on therapies that reduce any inflammation, strengthen your immune system, and offer symptoms relief.
To help them determine the right therapies for you, your providers will order tests like a comprehensive metabolic panel, a blood test for C-reactive protein, and blood tests for inflammatory markers.
Once your diagnosis is made, your provider creates a customized treatment plan that may include:
- Bioidentical hormone therapy
- Peptides
- IV therapy
- Vitamins and supplements, such as B12
- Healthy lifestyle changes, such as stress and sleep management and regular exercise
- Medical nutrition
- Ozone therapy
- IV nutrient therapy
Get the help you need to manage your autoimmune disease and raise your quality of life. Call Southern Secrets Med Spa and Clinic to schedule an appointment.
