Autoimmune Conditions
Approximately 2 million Canadians suffer from an autoimmune disease, of whom nearly 80% are female. Autoimmune diseases are those in which the immune system starts attacking the body’s own healthy cells and tissues. While it’s not fully understood what causes autoimmunity, we do know that genetic predisposition and environmental factors can contribute to the development of an autoimmune condition.
Autoimmune conditions include the following:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – SLE)
- Celiac disease
- Hashimotos thryoditis
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Multiple Sclerosis
The functional medicine approach to treating and managing autoimmune disease involves evaluating the lifestyle, environmental and mental/emotional factors that affect the progression and severity of the condition.
I want to identify sources of inflammation and ask why that inflammation exists. This involves looking at diet, food sensitivities, environmental exposure, and lifestyle. I believe in an integrative approach – using both conventional and alternative therapies – to help manage symptoms, and improve quality of life.
