The Response of Traditional Medicine
The immune system, which is a complex network of specialized organs, cells and cell products, is continually making antibodies to help rid the body of substances it sees as "non-self," such as bacteria, viruses, infectious agents and even "worn out," damaged or mutant cells. When the immune system identifies an infection or allergen, it produces antibodies against the offending organism or substance so it can be eliminated from the body. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system fails to distinguish between "self" and "nonself," and thus attacks the body's own vital organs, systems, cells and tissues.
The list of autoimmune diseases is both long and disturbing. In treating these diseases, modern medical practitioners focus on relieving the symptoms and slowing the progression of the diseases. The main allopathic treatment used for most autoimmune conditions is Prednisone (steroids). This approach, at best, can just slow the progression of the disease. Used long-term, Prednisone can cause a host of problems, including osteoporosis, immune suppression, weight gain, bloating, thin skin, easy bruising and many other troubling side effects. Prednisone is used because it helps control symptoms; but it does not address the etiology of the underlying condition.
Caring Medical's Natural Medicine Approach to Autoimmune Diseases
In caring for our patients, we typically look for the cause of the problem and recommend therapies that address the source of the disease. This involves giving the body what's missing and removing what's harmful.
Since autoimmune diseases are caused by autoantibodies, the question we ask is, "Why is this person making these antibodies?" Most experts in the natural medicine field believe that many of these autoantibodies are produced by the body in response to an infection or allergen. When the offending infection(s) or allergen(s) are removed, the production of these destructive autoantibodies stops.
To help the body stop producing autoantibodies, patients are often placed on allergy elimination diets. The offending foods are avoided and symptoms monitored. Common allergenic foods include wheat, cow's milk, casein, and eggs. We have a registered dietitian on staff to help you figure out to eat while still avoiding these allergenic foods. It may also be necessary to test and treat for sensitivities to the natural hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone and serotonin.
To determine if there is an offending organism related to the autoimmune disease, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for the offending organism in the blood may be done. The test scans the blood for foreign DNA. The treatment regime varies depending on the type of organism found. Antibiotics may be administered for bacteria, antivirals for viruses, antifungals for fungus infections. Also, in treating Ankylosing Spondylitis, we may often use Prolotherapy to help manage a patient's back pain. Prolotherapy is the safest and most effective natural medicine treatment for repairing tendon, ligament and cartilage damage. Prolotherapy stimulates the body to repair painful areas by inducing a mild inflammatory reaction in the weakened ligaments and cartilage. The inflammation causes the blood supply to dramatically increase in the ligament, alerting the body that healing needs to take place. In the simplest terms, Prolotherapy stimulates healing.
Prolotherapy offers the most curative results in treating chronic pain. It effectively eliminates pain because it attacks the source: the fibro-osseous junction, an area rich in sensory nerves. What’s more, the tissue strengthening and pain relief stimulated by Prolotherapy is permanent!
Some more information about our program:
The Hauser Diet® Natural Medicine Program This program is designed for the person who has a chronic condition such as ankylosing spondlylitis, and is ready to take a serious step in getting to the root cause of their condition. Ross Hauser, MD and Marion Hauser, MS, RD have developed this program over years of experience in both the traditional and natural medicine fields. There are four programs and each is priced as a package. As a New Patient, the individual tests and consultations each play a significant role in the program. In other words, we use the minimum number of tests that will tell us the maximum amount of information, to help you attain optimum health. That is what the Hauser Diet® Natural Medicine Program is all about. Some individuals may require additional laboratory tests, but most just need the program as discussed here.
Good Candidates for our Natural Medicine Program include patients who want to seriously utilize the principles of the Hauser Diet®, are motivated to make necessary lifestyle modifications, are willing to start an aggressive herbal program, and in some cases take natural hormone replacement, or do other natural medicine modalities as needed.
A Final Note About the Immune System
We've noted the important role that the immune system plays in identifying and eliminating infectious cells in the body. It's also important to highlight the critical role this system plays in eliminating abnormal or mutant cell types which may also arise. This function, known as immune system surveillance, constitutes one of the body's major defenses against cancer.
Today's statistics show that one in three Americans will develop cancer in their lifetime. The body depends on a healthy, well-functioning immune system to protect it from this devastating disease. Clearly, it is not enough to treat symptoms or slow the progression of autoimmune diseases; it is essential to restore the immune system to a healthy state and prevent against further damage and disease. And with natural medicine, this kind of healing is possible!
Read about one woman's tremendous success in treating her autoimmune disease with natural medicine. Or a 25-year-old music teacher with ankylosing spondylitis gets pain relief. And find out how natural medicine therapies reversed an aggressive case of rheumatoid arthritis.
If you are interested in more information about our natural medicine programs or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ross Hauser, please contact Caring Medical at 708-848-7789 or online using our contact form.
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