An Autoimmune Disease is a medical condition characterized by a mistaken function of the immune system that starts to attacks cells of the body itself, which are gradually not recognized as its own, but as foreign.
Under normal circumstances the immune system protects the human body from harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. As soon as one of these microorganisms is detected by the immune system, several specific and complicated defensive mechanisms are set in motion in order to repel the potential threat. However, in some cases, our body mistakenly perceives some of its own cells as foreign and attacks them by producing antibodies (autoantibodies). More than 80 diseases are recorded formally as the result of such an Immune System attack.
According to the AARDA (American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association), more than fifty million Americans suffer from an Autoimmune Disease. Statistics in Europe are similar, with a recorded sharp increase of Autoimmune Diseases during the last fifteen years.
Autoimmune diseases can manifest through multiple symptoms. These depend on the areas of the body affected by auto-antibodies (joints, endocrine glands, blood vessels, muscles, skin, connective tissue). Thus symptoms such as fever, joint pain, fatigue, skin rashes, gastrointestinal disorders or hypertension are usually observed. Very often these symptoms are characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission.
In general, treatment is limited to the long-term administration of multiple and complex drugs and regimens. Their objective is the temporary suppression of the Immune System. At the same time, patients should be closely monitored by doctors. This can cause a significant psychological and financial burden.
Any agent that may alter the biochemical or genetic information at a cellular level can contribute to the onset of an Autoimmune Disease. Morphologically, biochemically or structurally altered cells are detected by our Immune System as foreign and thus the process of isolation and destruction begins.
Many factors can cause the onset of an autoimmune disease and in many cases these factors can act synergistically. Malnutrition, exposure to harmful or toxic substances, stress, and hormonal abnormalities are just a few among many of the factors that can cause the human body to attack itself.
The key of any potential treatment should be based on the cell and its mechanisms. Innovative Molecular-level diagnostic tests, are now available and can provide the Health Specialist with specific valuable information about abnormalities and deviations from the optimal way of cell function.
Depending on the laboratory tests findings, the type of treatment, its duration and any other possible combination or regimen are individually defined. The proposed therapeutic protocols are based on specific medical algorithms that use the diagnostic tests’ results. All the therapeutic protocols are strictly personalized and may need to be implemented for a period of six to eighteen months.
Some of the symptoms that patients describe can ameliorate even the first months of the treatment. After the treatment period, patients who keep following the additional instructions and guidelines provided reduce significantly the chances of a disease relapse.
Schedule an Online Medical Consultation
1. Create your Personal Profile
2. Fill your Medical History Online
3. Schedule an Appointment
Latest News
