There are over 60 known disorders thought to be related to autoimmunity. Below is a summarized list of conditions related to autoimmune disorders :

Alopecia Areata – An autoimmune disorder that is characterized by hair loss. It is found commonly in men and women and can occur at any age, including childhood.

Alzheimer’s Disease – Characterized as a progressive brain disorder, which involves a decline in social and intellectual abilities. Alzheimer’s Disease is thought to be associated with free radical damage in the brain and inorganic aluminum.

Celiac Disease – A chronic inflammation of the colon that creates an intestinal breakdown due to an allergic reaction to gluten. Gluten is a protein that is found in grains such as wheat, barley, oat and rye.

Crohn’s Disease – A chronic inflammatory bowel disease, which is characterized by severe inflammation of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. This disorder is typically seen in persons between the ages of 15 and 35, but can also be found in young children and the elderly as well.

Fibromyalgia – This disorder is characterized by aches and pains in the muscles along with chronic fatigue and insomnia. It is estimated between 3 to 6 million people in the US suffer with Fibromyalgia. Ninety percent of them being women.

Graves Disease – A disorder affecting the thyroid gland. In this disease auto-antibodies bind to the thyroid gland, which increases the production of thyroid hormone, which plays a major role in metabolism. Symptoms include nervousness, diarrhea, insomnia, sweating, and weight loss with increased appetite. More serious symptoms include irregular heart beat, tachycardia (increased heart rate), swelling of eyes and legs. In rare cases, cardiovascular collapse, shock or coma could occur.

Lupus – A disorder which instead of the body’s immune system functioning properly as protection from harmful invaders, it forms antibodies that attack healthy tissues and organs. Symptoms include aching joints, inflammation, swelling, fatigue, fevers and rashes. Lupus is a mild disease affecting only a few organs, but for others it may cause serious, even life-threatening problems.

Multiple Sclerosis – A chronic inflammatory condition which involves the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord. This chronic inflammation causes severe damage to the myelin sheath (covering of the nerves). Symptoms include blurred vision, numbness and paralysis. Mercury toxicity may be a causal factor.

Psoriasis – A common chronic skin condition which is characterized by symptoms similar to eczema. It involves the hyperactivity of the immune system which creates a form of inflammation. This inflammatory reaction causes skin cells to multiply seven to twelve times faster than normal. The skin is often dry and itchy as well as being cracked or blistered.

Rheumatoid Arthritis – This disorder can affect many joints, but most commonly the small joints of the hands. An autoimmune attack on the tissues causes inflammation along with pain and swelling. If uncontrolled it could lead to destruction of the bones, deformity and eventually disability. It is thought that a factor of rheumatoid arthritis is holding onto bitterness.

What are natural ways that can be used which are helpful for autoimmune disorders?

Most people with autoimmune disorders suffer from exhausted adrenals. The adrenals produce a hormone that controls the immune response called cortisol. Cortico-steroid drugs are used to treat autoimmune disorders to mimic the action of cortisol, but have undesirable side effects. A natural alternative to consider is Licorice, which is an herb that supports the adrenals, as well as having anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Yucca also has anti-inflammatory properties as well as mimics the effects of cortisol. It also has a detoxifying effect as well as a blood thinning property. Wild Yam is another herb that can be taken as an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. Willow bark also has an anti-inflammatory property and can help bring relief from pain in autoimmune disorders.

Stress management is a key factor in dealing with autoimmune disorders as stress adversely affects the adrenal glands. Getting an adequate amount of sleep as well as having a positive mental attitude can be very helpful. Supplements that can be beneficial in helping the body manage stress are Siberian Ginseng, Chinese Mineral Chi Tonic and Nutri-Calm.

Antioxidants aid the body in balancing immune activity and also fight free radical damage. Green Tea Extract and High Potency Grapine are appropriate choices.

Essential Oils that may be beneficial for autoimmune disorders include Bergamot, Clary Sage, Lavender and Roman Chamomile.

Adding essential fatty acids to your diet like Flax Seed Oil and Omega-3 EPA can help to reduce inflammatory responses.

Magnesium deficiency is also common in cases of autoimmune disorders. Fibralgia contains magnesium as well as malic acid which is beneficial for generating cellular energy and may be helpful for Fibromyalgia.

Moderate exercise such as walking or swimming can be helpful but care should be taken not to over exert the body.

Taking a digestive enzyme is very beneficial.

Taking a Probiotic daily is recommended to help put healthy bacteria into the intestines which may help reduce allergic responses.

What should be avoided?

Immune stimulants are contraindicated as this could only make the problem worse. Avoid taking herbs and supplements that boost the immune system such as Colostrum, Dandelion Root, Echinacea, Goldenseal, and Yarrow.

Avoid essential oils that stimulate the immune system such as Geranium, Thyme and Ylang Ylang.

Food allergies may also be a factor in autoimmune disorders. Common allergens are hydrogenated fats and oils such as margarine and shortening, grains such as wheat and corn and dairy products. Foods that aggravate the condition should be avoided.

Avoid refined carbohydrates and sugars which feeds Candida, a fungus that may also be a contributing factor for autoimmune disorders.

Toxicity and Heavy Metal Poisoning

It is believed that heavy metal poisoning, such as with vaccines that contain mercury and other toxins that are injected directly into the bloodstream as well as other toxic chemicals we are exposed to on a daily basis, are a major factor in the underlying cause of autoimmune disorders. A gentle detoxification is recommended so as not to detoxify the body too quickly causing a “healing crisis”. SAM-e can be helpful in detoxifying the liver and has been beneficial in some cases of Fibromyalgia. Enviro Detox taken in small doses can also be helpful.

This myelin serves as a shield cover for the nerves which transmit brain signals. Without this myelin, it’s very difficult for brain and spinal cord to coordinate with each other and this result in the failure of functioning of many organs in the body. There are generally 4 stages in multiple sclerosis from initial stage to final stage called as ‘progressive MS’.

In most of the cases multiple sclerosis is not a fatal disorder. However there are some exceptions in rare conditions where they suffer from other parallel diseases to MS. Proper treatment and care can help MS affected patients to lead a normal life for longer time.

Causes of Multiple Sclerosis Disease

There are no specific causes for multiple sclerosis to take care from. But most studies and researches say that it’s an autoimmune disease, which means the human immune system erroneously attacks the myelin tissue in central nervous system. But still there are still no clear reports why immune system acts abnormal only in MS patients. There are high chances of inheriting MS from the parental genes too.

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis Disease

Symptoms of MS differ from one person to other. Most of the times, they depend on the area of brain and spinal cord which got affected. Muscle weakness, blurred vision and pain in back are the most common symptoms of the MS.  In later stages of MS, sudden downfall of vision, walking problems and electric shock kind of sensation in lower back are commonly observed. Due to the lack of coordination between brain and spinal cord, patient faces balancing problems like spinning feeling or wooziness so often. Control on urination, gripping of objects and downfall of memory are also caused due to multiple sclerosis. MS also leads a patient to extreme depression and many other mental disorders.

Available Treatments

Once diagnosed and confirmed, it’s very important as a patient to know the all available treatments for multiple sclerosis. MS cannot be cured completely. A patient has to alter his lifestyle accordingly to lead a quality life by minimizing all symptoms. Medicines can be used to reduce the effects of muscle pains, weakness, fatigue, depression and other genital related problems. There are medicines available for multiple sclerosis which controls the pulse strokes thus delaying disease intensity.

But these medicines have very strong side effects and in some cases it goes very difficult for patient to tolerate them. But according to experts, it’s always best to continue medicine for MS keeping long term interests in mind. There are some therapies available to soothe the pains that are caused by MS. These include physical therapy, occupational and speech therapies. Apart from these, a MS patient need to mould his lifestyle well with good nutritious diet plan and regular exercises to keep the intensity of disease to minimum for long time.

To Your Health!

This myelin serves as a shield cover for the nerves which transmit brain signals. Without this myelin, it’s very difficult for brain and spinal cord to coordinate with each other and this result in the failure of functioning of many organs in the body. There are generally 4 stages in multiple sclerosis from initial stage to final stage called as ‘progressive MS’.

In most of the cases multiple sclerosis is not a fatal disorder. However there are some exceptions in rare conditions where they suffer from other parallel diseases to MS. Proper treatment and care can help MS affected patients to lead a normal life for longer time.

Causes of Multiple Sclerosis Disease

There are no specific causes for multiple sclerosis to take care from. But most studies and researches say that it’s an autoimmune disease, which means the human immune system erroneously attacks the myelin tissue in central nervous system. But still there are still no clear reports why immune system acts abnormal only in MS patients. There are high chances of inheriting MS from the parental genes too.

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis Disease

Symptoms of MS differ from one person to other. Most of the times, they depend on the area of brain and spinal cord which got affected. Muscle weakness, blurred vision and pain in back are the most common symptoms of the MS.  In later stages of MS, sudden downfall of vision, walking problems and electric shock kind of sensation in lower back are commonly observed. Due to the lack of coordination between brain and spinal cord, patient faces balancing problems like spinning feeling or wooziness so often. Control on urination, gripping of objects and downfall of memory are also caused due to multiple sclerosis. MS also leads a patient to extreme depression and many other mental disorders.

Available Treatments

Once diagnosed and confirmed, it’s very important as a patient to know the all available treatments for multiple sclerosis. MS cannot be cured completely. A patient has to alter his lifestyle accordingly to lead a quality life by minimizing all symptoms. Medicines can be used to reduce the effects of muscle pains, weakness, fatigue, depression and other genital related problems. There are medicines available for multiple sclerosis which controls the pulse strokes thus delaying disease intensity.

But these medicines have very strong side effects and in some cases it goes very difficult for patient to tolerate them. But according to experts, it’s always best to continue medicine for MS keeping long term interests in mind. There are some therapies available to soothe the pains that are caused by MS. These include physical therapy, occupational and speech therapies. Apart from these, a MS patient need to mould his lifestyle well with good nutritious diet plan and regular exercises to keep the intensity of disease to minimum for long time.

To Your Health!

MS is characterized by the presence of areas of demyelination and T-cell predominant perivascular inflammation in the brain white matter. The disease usually begins wit the presence of acute or sub acute neurological abnormalities. These abnormalities vary in severity from person to person. In some people they may take years to present themselves while in other people they appear at a rapid rate. Most usually last for years.

There are many early symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. These symptoms include such things as numbness and/or paraesthesia and double vision. People in the early stages of MS have also been found to have bladder control problems. Other problems include such things as vertigo, incoordination and other cerebral problems. Some symptoms are not so obvious and are not linked specifically to this disease. These symptoms include depression, fatigue and pain that can be linked to any other type of disorder or disease.

There are several tests that can be done to check for the presence of Multiple Sclerosis. These include neurological findings, clinical observation and results of a MRI. A spinal fluid examination will also help to find if a person has MS or not.

The diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis can fall into one of many categories or classifications. It can either be benign, relapsing-remitting (the most common form), progressive-relapsing, primary progressive and secondary progressive. Once a person has been diagnosed with this disease other tests are taken to see where the person falls and in which category.

Unfortunately there is no corrective treatment for Multiple Sclerosis. There are however, a number of medications that are taken to help control the disease and to make life easier for those who suffer from it. The medications that are prescribed to a patient will depend on what symptoms that they suffer from.

This is seen most clearly in the physical demyelination of nerve membranes and the many symptoms of decreased nervous system function that accompany MS. According to Ayurveda theory, the functioning mode in the body called Vata controls the overall level of balance and activation of the nervous system. MS is a classic Vata imbalance from this perspective.

Causes

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, meaning its cause is an attack by the body’s own immune system. For unknown reasons, immune cells attack and destroy the myelin sheath that insulates neurons in the brain and spinal cord. This myelin sheath, created by other brain cells called glia, speeds transmission and prevents electrical activity in one cell from short-circuiting to another cell. Disruption of communication between the brain and other parts of the body prevent normal passage of sensations and control messages, leading to the symptoms of MS. The demyelinated areas appear as plaques, small round areas of gray neuron without the white myelin covering.

Symptoms

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis may be single or multiple and may range from mild to severe in intensity and short to long in duration. Complete or partial remission from symptoms occurs early in about 70% of multiple sclerosis patients.

Visual disturbances may be the first symptoms of multiple sclerosis, but they usually subside. A patient may notice blurred vision, red-green distortion (color desaturation), or sudden monocular blindness (blindness in one eye). Muscle weakness with or without difficulties with coordination and balance may occur early. Muscle spasms, fatigue, numbness, and prickling pain are common symptoms.

Diet

As the diet may contain high levels of polyunsaturates, a good intake of vitamin E, vitamin B6, zinc and vitamin C is needed. Vitamin E is the main antioxidant that helps prevent peroxidation of polyunsaturates and vitamin C helps to protect vitamin E. Zinc and vitamin B6 are part of the enzyme delta-6-desaturase which is involved in conversion of linoleic acid (found in polyunsaturated fat and oils) to its longer chain derivatives.

Types of MS

There are four types of MS and each progresses differently.

Benign MS

With this type you will have a few relapses (times when your symptoms flare up) and then recover. However, you need to have had very few or no symptoms for about 15 years before this diagnosis can be made.

Secondary progressive

Secondary progressive describes around 80% of those with initial relapsing – remitting MS,who then begin to have neurologic decline between their acute attacks without any definite periods of remission. This decline may include new neurologic symptoms , worsening cognitive function, or other deficits. Secondary progressive is the most common type of MS and causes the greatest amount of disability.

Relapsing-remitting MS

For about 80 percent of people with MS, it begins as a relapsing and remitting condition. This means you have relapses followed by periods of remission when your symptoms get better.