Autoimmune Disease
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MedVital Wellness Center
Harold Lawler III, MD
Regenerative Medicine Specialist located in Sarasota, FL & Kissimmee, FL
As many as 23.5 million Americans live with some form of autoimmune disease, and many experts believe the true count is closer to 50 million, as there is little data on lesser-known disease types. At MedVital Wellness Center in Kissimmee and Sarasota, Florida, the team of skilled medical professionals can help you achieve an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan for autoimmune disease. Schedule an appointment online or by phone to get started.
Autoimmune Disease Q & A
What is an autoimmune disease?
An autoimmune disease occurs when something triggers your body’s immune system to mistakenly attack your own healthy cells. There are numerous forms of autoimmune disease, and many different areas of your body can be affected.
There are more than 80 types of autoimmune disease, but some of the more common types include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Parkinson’s disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Myasthenia gravis
Fibromyalgia, while not technically an autoimmune disease, shares many features of autoimmune problems and responds well to the same treatment paths.
What causes autoimmune diseases?
Medical researchers aren’t sure of the exact causes of autoimmune disease. It’s believed that a certain trigger causes your body to launch an immune response where one isn’t warranted. Ironically, it’s the very power of your own immune system that makes autoimmune diseases such a serious health issue.
There are known risk factors that increase your chances of developing an autoimmune disease, including:
- Genetic predisposition
- Smoking
- Being overweight or obese
- Certain medications
- Environmental toxins
One of the most frustrating things about autoimmune diseases is that there is rarely a clear causal connection. In fact, many men and women live with pain and other troubling symptoms for years before they receive a proper diagnosis.
How are autoimmune diseases treated?
Your treatment path depends on the type of autoimmune disease you have and your overall health. Medications may play a role in treating autoimmune disease, and there are some great options available that can slow disease progression and improve your daily quality of life.
Some work by suppressing your immune response, others control inflammation. There are even specific biologic drugs created just for certain types of autoimmune diseases.
Another powerful treatment path involves making targeted lifestyle modifications. Reaching and maintaining a healthy body weight, improving your diet, getting plenty of exercise, and quitting smoking as well as avoiding environmental toxins can truly change the course of your disease.
Finding the right treatment path for autoimmune diseases can be frustrating, especially for men and women who struggled with symptoms for years before diagnosis. However, it’s important to know that there are ways to manage your condition and improve your quality of life, no matter the stage or intensity of your autoimmune condition.
At MedVital Wellness Center you’ll have access to a team of professionals who will work to help you find the best treatment path for your specific set of needs. Booking an appointment is as easy as a phone call or a visit to the online scheduling tool.
