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Autoimmune Disease Treatment in South Carolina

What is Autoimmunity?

The healthy human body is equipped with a powerful set of tools for resisting invading microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Unfortunately, this set of tools, or the immune system, sometimes goes awry and attacks the body itself. These misdirected immune responses are referred to as autoimmunity.

 

An autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue in either a small area or throughout the whole body.

 

According to Johns Hopkins Autoimmune Research Center, at least ten million Americans suffer from more than eighty illnesses caused by autoimmunity. The following are some of the more common ones:

Celiac Disease Immune
Thrombocytopenic (ITP)
Graves’ Disease Addison’s Disease Goodpasture’s
Syndrome
Pemphigus Vulgaris
Alopecia Areata Wegener’s
Granulomatosis
Polymyositis Ankylosing Spondylitis Guillain-Barré
Syndrome
Primary Biliary
Cirrhosis
Autoimmune
Hemolytic Anemia
Hashimoto’s Disease Psoriasis Autoimmune Hepatitis Hidradenitis
Suppurativa
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Berger’s disease
(IgA Nephropathy)
Giant Cell Arteritis
(Temporal A)
Scleroderma
(Morphea)
Bullous Pemphigoid Interstitial Cystitis Sharp Syndrome
Acute Disseminated
Encephalomyelitis
Isaacs’ Syndrome
(Neuromyotonia)
Sjögren’s Syndrome Crohn’s Disease Kawasaki Disease Stiff Person
Syndrome
Dermatomyositis Lupus Ulcerative Colitis Diabetes Multiple Sclerosis
(MS)
Vitiligo
Endometriosis Myasthenia Gravis Narcolepsy

Who is Affected by Autoimmune Disorders?

Autoimmunity is present in everyone to some extent. Although it is usually harmless, in some individuals, autoimmunity can be the cause of a broad spectrum of human illnesses. Unfortunately, autoimmune diseases are a growing threat to the health of all Americans, especially women. Taken as a whole, they represent the fourth-largest cause of disability among women in the United States. Currently, 78 percent of those affected with an autoimmune disease are women.

Our Focus is getting to the root cause of symptoms and treating them with natural solutions before disease sets in.

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What are the Risks Associated with Autoimmunity?

Patients with autoimmunity and systemic inflammation have much higher rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, renal insufficiency, and cardiovascular disease than does the rest of the apparently healthy population. These connections between autoimmunity, inflammation, and cardiovascular and renal complications can make autoimmune disorders difficult to treat.

However, multifaceted holistic interventions such as nutritional immunomodulation can weaken these ties and reduce the incidence of avoidable disease and disability and promote tolerance to self and environmental antigens.

Signs and Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases

Symptom Description
Chronic Fatigue Persistent tiredness or lack of energy that doesn’t improve with rest.
Joint Pain and Swelling Pain, stiffness, or inflammation, often affecting the hands, wrists, and knees.
Skin Issues Rashes, redness, or sensitivity, which may include conditions like psoriasis or eczema.
Digestive Problems Symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort, often linked to conditions like Crohn’s disease or celiac disease.
Hair Loss Unexplained thinning or loss of hair, sometimes in patches, as seen in alopecia areata.
Recurring Infections Frequent infections or slow healing, which may suggest immune system dysregulation.
Unexplained Weight Changes Significant weight loss or gain without changes to diet or activity levels.
Muscle Weakness Loss of strength or difficulty performing daily activities, often tied to conditions like myasthenia gravis.
Numbness or Tingling Sensations of pins and needles, often in the hands or feet, which may indicate nerve involvement.
Fever or Malaise Low-grade fever or an overall feeling of unwellness, which may come and go.
Brain Fog Difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, or mental fatigue, often reported in autoimmune diseases like lupus or multiple sclerosis.
Swollen Glands Enlarged lymph nodes, which may be tender or painful, as part of an immune response.
Sensitivity to Cold or Heat Extreme discomfort in certain temperatures, which may be related to thyroid issues or other autoimmune conditions.

The Importance of Early Diagnosis

Detecting autoimmune diseases at the earliest stages can significantly improve outcomes and help patients maintain a better quality of life. These conditions often begin subtly, with symptoms that can mimic other illnesses. Early recognition allows healthcare providers to identify patterns and address underlying triggers before the condition progresses. Autoimmune conditions can lead to long-term damage to tissues and organs if left unchecked. Timely evaluation helps mitigate the risks associated with chronic inflammation, which may otherwise result in complications such as cardiovascular disease or renal failure. A proactive approach also minimizes the need for aggressive interventions later.

Early diagnosis is particularly beneficial in tailoring treatments to the individual. It provides an opportunity to implement strategies that focus on root causes, including addressing imbalances, deficiencies, or triggers like environmental toxins. This personalized care can reduce the intensity and frequency of flare-ups, empowering patients to lead healthier, more active lives.

If symptoms such as persistent fatigue, unexplained joint pain, or skin issues arise, seeking a professional assessment promptly is critical. Tools such as advanced diagnostic tests, detailed medical histories, and comprehensive evaluations can reveal hidden factors contributing to the condition, enabling a treatment plan that promotes lasting wellness.

Our Autoimmune Disease Treatment:

At Merge Medical Center, we are a leader in the holistic medicine approach to managing autoimmune disease treatment services in SC. Dr. Lovegrove is one of the most sought after best autoimmune specialists in the Charleston area. We view autoimmunity as an ongoing maladaptive process, rather than a static pathological condition.

The practical results of the functional medicine model lie in its ability to detect diseases at a much earlier stage in their development and to assess the body as a whole. The model also opens the door to a much broader range of nontoxic strategies for the prevention and treatment of existing diseases.

The following are considered in the evaluation and treatment of all patients who are suffering from an autoimmune disorder:

Food Sensitivities

Balance of
Microorganisms

Inflammation
Markers

Hormone Deficiency
or Imbalance

Toxin Exposures

Detoxification
Pathways

Latent or Subclinical
Infections

Digestive Function

Family History

Nutritional
Deficiencies

In addition to ordering the appropriate tests to assess your condition, our team will develop a personalized herbal and nutritional support program to enhance overall health and wellness, educate you on certain lifestyle modifications and recommend certain nutritional supplements to address your condition.

In some cases, prescription medications or natural hormone replacement may be recommended. Bodywork such as acupuncture or Chinese therapeutic massage may also be advised to support you.

Exploring innovative treatments like Ozone IV MAH can significantly enhance your autoimmune management strategy

Ozone therapy has shown promise in modulating the immune system, potentially reducing inflammation and symptom severity associated with autoimmune conditions. Discover more about how Ozone IV MAH can be integrated into your personalized treatment plan. Learn more about our Ozone Therapy services.

Conditions Treated

Allergies
Allergies Read more Merge Medical Center
Autoimmune
Autoimmune Read more Merge Medical Center
Brain and Emotional Health
Brain and Emotional Health Read more Merge Medical Center
Cancer
Cancer Read more Merge Medical Center
Diabetes
Diabetes Read more Merge Medical Center
Digestion
Digestion Read more Merge Medical Center
Fatigue
Fatigue Read more Merge Medical Center
Fertility
Fertility Read more Merge Medical Center
Heart Health
Heart Health Read more Merge Medical Center
Men & Women’s Health
Men & Women’s Health Read more Merge Medical Center
Pain
Weight Loss
Weight Loss Read more Merge Medical Center