How Can I Tell if I Have an Autoimmune Disease?

While autoimmune diseases can’t be cured, there are a number of treatments and lifestyle modifications that can help to dramatically reduce a patient’s symptoms and improve their health and quality of life overall. First, however, you have to know how to recognize that an autoimmune disease is responsible for your unwanted symptoms. Here, you’ll find a helpful guide on what signs and symptoms may be indicative of an underlying autoimmune disease from chiropractic neurologist, functional medicine practitioner, and diplomate of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board Dr. Elliot Hirshorn, and the knowledgeable team at New Life Health in Greenville, SC. You’ll also learn what triggers can cause autoimmune disease and what treatment options may be available to help you regain your comfort and quality of life once again.

What is an autoimmune disease?

An autoimmune disease occurs when the body begins to attack healthy tissues — the opposite of the function of a healthy immune system. Some common examples of autoimmune diseases include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Lupus
• Celiac disease
• Psoriasis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Type 1 diabetes
• Crohn’s disease

What causes autoimmune disease?

There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of an autoimmune disease, and in many cases, the condition is unavoidable. However, there are several things you can do to help lessen the likelihood or severity of an autoimmune disease, including:

• Eating a healthy, balanced diet
• Avoiding environmental and synthetic toxins
• Optimizing gut health
• Limiting infections
• Keeping stress levels low

What are the symptoms of an autoimmune disease?

While signs and symptoms of an autoimmune disease can vary in nature and severity based on what disease is present, the patient’s overall health and other medical conditions, and additional factors, some of the most common signs of an autoimmune disorder include:

• Fatigue
• Unexplained rash
• Recurrent rash
• Unexplained fever
• Joint pain

What triggers an autoimmune flare-up?

There are numerous triggers for autoimmune diseases, including:

• Leaky gut
• Poor gut health
• Hormonal imbalance
• Chemical/environmental toxin exposure
• Infection
• Lifestyle choices

During your evaluation for an autoimmune disease in Greenville, SC, Dr. Hirshorn will assess the symptoms and triggers of your disease and recommend treatment options, lifestyle and behavior modifications, and other measures that can help to reduce your symptoms and keep your autoimmune disorder in check.

How is an autoimmune disorder treated?

Although an autoimmune disease can’t be cured, the symptoms can be managed with the help of a knowledgeable medical professional. Based on the findings of your evaluation and assessment, Dr. Hirshorn may recommend one or more of the following autoimmune disease treatment methods:

• Using food as medicine
• Nutraceuticals
• IV therapy
• Exercise regimen
• Dietary modifications
• Lifestyle modifications

With these steps, a healthy lifestyle overall, and guidance from Dr. Hirshorn, your autoimmune symptoms no longer have to control your life.

Keep your symptoms at bay with autoimmune disease treatment in Greenville, SC

If the symptoms of your autoimmune disease are interfering with your everyday life, physical comfort, and emotional well-being, tackle them head-on and find relief by scheduling your private consultation with experienced provider Dr. Elliot Hirshorn at New Life Health, conveniently located in Greenville, SC, today.