Home Remedies for Auto Immune Diseases | Symptoms | Treatment

By | July 23, 2010

Home Remedies for Auto Immune Diseases

The immune system is a network of cells and its components, and its function is to defend the body from diseases and infections caused by viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, and other microorganisms. The immune system of a healthy person produces antibodies to combat these microorganisms. When suffering from an autoimmune disease, the person’s immune system fails to distinguish between healthy cells and unhealthy cells, and turns on the unhealthy cells on healthy cells and tissues. In short, the immune attacks itself and the whole body. Autoimmune diseases can cause many mild to severe health complications. It can affect the nervous system, the digestive system, and the endocrine system, apart from affecting the skin, eyes, blood, and the blood vessels. Multiple sclerosis (MS), Addison’s Disease, Rheumatoid, Arthritis Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and Graves’ disease are the more common autoimmune diseases.

Auto Immune Diseases Symptoms: Since the autoimmune diseases are large in number, more than 80, their symptoms vary depending on the particular disease. Some of the common symptoms of autoimmune diseases are dizziness, fatigue, confusion, irritability, low grade fever, weight fluctuations, and digestive problems. Just like their symptoms, autoimmune diseases have varied causes and they cannot be blamed on any one factor. The main causes of autoimmune diseases are heredity, environmental toxins, viruses, stress, pregnancy and UV rays of the sun. The immune system also gets destroyed by inadequate physical activity, lack of sleep, over consumption of alcohol, and a faulty diet.

Auto Immune Diseases Treatment: The treatment of autoimmune diseases can be done by a doctor. But, there are alternative therapies like tai chi, acupuncture, psychotherapy and counseling, yoga, and touch therapy that can also help in the treatment of these diseases. The sufferer can get relief from the symptoms of autoimmune diseases with some natural remedies also. Herbs like yarrow, milk thistle extract, and sarsaparilla can be used regularly to detoxify the blood stream. A healthy dosage of these herbs is 300 mg a day. Consuming reishi mushrooms thrice a day enhances the immune system and helps in treating autoimmune diseases. There are specific diets for the patient of autoimmune diseases depending on the disease. Ginger and turmeric are two products that can ease the symptoms of these diseases. It must be noted that these remedies must be used in conjunction with medication prescribed by a doctor as they cannot cure autoimmune diseases on their own. It’s also necessary to consult the doctor before using these natural remedies to ensure that they don’t worsen the condition.