Autoimmune Disorders Uncovered

Trillions of the tiniest cells are working all the time to help keep you healthy. Your amazing immune system knows just what to do. It’s something you probably don't think about until something goes wrong. Unfortunately that's what happens with autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes, lupus and psoriasis. CHI Health is here to tell you what you should know on Autoimmune Disorders Uncovered.

I’m Dr. Naureen Rafiq and I'm a Family Medicine doctor at CHI Health. More than 80 autoimmune diseases are recognized by the medical world - can you name one? If you know someone with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease or type 1 diabetes, you know someone with an autoimmune disease.

Some 23.5 million Americans fall into this category. What they all have in common is a malfunctioning immune system. Normally, this network of cells,tissues and organs behave like your body's first responders. They are the first to take action when there's trouble. For example, when you have a cold, these cells tell your body to raise the temperature and that fever helps you get rid of infection. With autoimmune diseases, this defense system sees trouble where there is none and does harm instead of good.

With rheumatoid arthritis, those first responders perceive danger in the joints. Their response ends up causing inflammation, swelling and pain. For inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) it's the lining of the intestines which get unneeded attention resulting in diarrhea, bleeding, pain and weight loss. The pancreas is where those first responders take a toll on Type 1 Diabetes patients by getting in the way of insulin-producing cells

What causes the immune system to malfunction is not well understood but researchers believe genetics and environmental factors play a role.

Symptoms indicating a possible autoimmune disorder include joint pain and stiffness. Thyroid problems which can cause fatigue, weight gain and muscle aches and skin issues such as rashes, blisters and color changes.

Specialists generally treat autoimmune diseases with medications that suppress the immune system. Unfortunately these drugs dampen the effectiveness of the entire system, not just those rogue first responders.

Recent advances are offering new options for treating these complicated conditions without suppressing the immune system we all depend upon. We really do depend on this amazing system and it’s trillions of little cells.

I'm Dr. Naureen Rafiq be sure to check back for more from CHI Health Uncovered.

[EganFirstWellnessHealthCoach]

I suffered for years with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and years of wasted time with misdiagnoses and thousands of dollars spent trying to find what was going on. I’m now 4 years into gut healing and 95% symptom free! Now helping others along the way! 🙌

[ddysddc]

I love how this video offers no insights into autoimmune disorders. Thank you for helping me waste 3 minutes of my life.

[ElishaLoweRN]

The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease - Thomas Edison

I just got diagnosed with an auto-immune type chronic inflammatory disease. My doctor did not once ask me about my diet and the many inflammation causing foods I eat. We eat more genetically modified foods than ever, more food made in labs and our doctors don't ask about our diets. They write prescriptions, go to conferences and talk about new medications, never food as medicine. it's quite sad.

[ilostsomethingonce]

Just goes to show how much is yet to be discovered. Just because there isn't effective treatment available right now doesn't mean it's impossible. I would love to get into research some day. Really fascinating.

[boundlessintrepiddiscovery]

Autoimmune disorders are such a pain! It's nice to hear about other people's stories though. I've also been documenting my journey on my channel. <3

[keitymarley]

My father just completed his Rheumatoid arthritis treatment from Madida Herbal Center, he is completely okay and cured now.__

[takheyaming]

I can't go out when has winter come..and I should not touch the cold water because my blood circulation is not work proper..when I take cold water. I can't stay with A/c room also.i dont know what to do

[gaztaylor]

My mom has arthritis now she had it a couple of years now and it's so nasty watching my mom getting older and her joint's aching and constant swelling and I wish I can do something for her, she on loads of meds and injections.

[supratimroy]

Two times Nobel Laureate, Dr Linus Pauling, said "You could trace every disease and every ailment to a mineral deficiency ."

[monicagonzalez]

It is interesting to look into causes of conditions which attack the body, since my experience with hemifacial atrophy I have been making sure to get adequate nutrition, vitamin d3 for example helps to regulate the immune system, and k2 can help reduce inflammation and protect cells from oxidative injury. I would also suggest watching intake of anti-nutrients found in certain foods as for some people, these anti nutrients such as lectins have been shown to contribute to leaky gut and inflammation, which are both linked to autoimmunity. Again, just sharing what helped me : )

[rkvfojb]

I have one. And so sensitive to cold. Omg. I need help. My DR are confused, LUPUS I don't have, Reuma I do have genetics but not complicated only when weather changes. Basophilis is H in blood work my DR ignored.

My chest majority is in flame when Cold Air occurs and I have Cold Sweat that comes from top of my head and chest and rest body.

I need Help. Please at least guide me to give me proper therapy. Thanks

[GalexZ-]

What are the new Advances that will help without suppressing the immune system? Is there a way to rid the body of the substances causing it to reject it's own cells? What is the substances causing the body to attack itself? I don't believe it's attacking itself, I believe there is a substance there attaching to the cells and is able to protect itself without dying but causing it to attack the cell it's attached to.

[elainegoad]

What do you think about Ayurvedec natural medicine for these disorders since the steroids and other western "medicines" cause additional serious health problems for the patient and the patient is just given more "medicine" to cover up the symptoms that the autoimmune medications have caused? Medicine shouldn't cause additional health issues.

[plgltks]

Doc, is there now any treatments not to surpress e immune system but stil works?

[darkcyborgsuperman]

The human body is truly an oddity..so our immune system could destroy normal cells(I.e autoimmune disorders) but not cancerous cells?

[mattjohnson]

New treatments that don't suppress the immune system such

[ouhnishqpirali]

Let's talk about genetically modified foods

[physicsphysics]

I am detected with pamphegus 1 and 3 .
Started taking wysolen and Myfortic 360 .I am diabetic.doctors suggests or insist me to take rituxin injection which reduces auto antibodies.is it the right method?
I have got 60% auto antibodies.
I am afraid

[takheyaming]

I am suffering from autoimmune diseases since 1 year..now my reports are all normal but my doctor told me don't stop medicine. She says I have to continue take medicine, I am frustrating...I really want back my normal life, Doctor said there is no curable treatments, give me some advice what to do, I really dont want to continue medicine 😔😔

[genevieve-ghlp]

She doesn’t give the new alternatives gee wiz