Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD
Edited by: Breanne Brazeale
Some of you may already know that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, or RA, which is an autoimmune disorder. Besides being a doctor, I am also a person and a patient. I share some of my personal struggles and health challenges on AgroshareMD, hoping to help my patients know they are not alone.
There are many types of autoimmune disorders. Physicians and scientists estimate that there are over 100 different disorders! You can find a list of the autoimmune diseases and more information here: https://www.aarda.org/diseaselist/
Below are some of the most common types of autoimmune disorders, all of which I have seen in my clinic:
· Alopecia areata: Sudden hair loss that starts with one or more circular bald patches that may overlap.
· Ankylosing spondylitis: An inflammatory arthritis affecting the spine and large joints.
· Celiac Disease: An immune reaction consuming gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.
· Lupus: An inflammatory disease caused when the immune system attacks its own tissues.
· Multiple sclerosis: A disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of nerves.
· Polymyalgia rheumatica: An inflammatory disorder causing muscle pain and stiffness around the shoulders and hips.
· Rheumatoid Arthritis: A chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.
· Sjogren’s syndrome: An immune system disorder characterized by dry eyes and dry mouth.
· Temporal arteritis: An inflammation of blood vessels, called arteries, in and around the scalp.
· Type 1 Diabetes: A chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin.
· Vasculitis: An inflammation of the blood vessels that causes changes in the blood vessel walls.
Because I have RA, and it is one of the most common autoimmune disorders, I will focus on an explanation of this disease. There are some rheumatologists that believe there is one main autoimmune disorder that manifests in different ways, depending on the person. For a more detailed explanation of rheumatoid arthritis, please visit the Healthline article below:
https://www.healthline.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/facts-statistics-infographic#1
I am excited to let everyone know I am learning how to help reverse symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. I have wanted to learn this aspect of functional medicine for a very long time and did not have an excellent source! Having reliable and accurate educational resources and research is crucial to providing the very best care to my patients.
I have found multiple professional resources that will help me learn how to help myself and help others who come to me with autoimmune concerns more effectively.
With new knowledge and my continued research, I hope to help people overcome some of the debilitating symptoms of autoimmune disorders and get their lives back! I know from personal experience what a challenge it can be to complete daily tasks when you are living with an autoimmune disease or have physical limitations because of an illness. When I have an RA flare, I sometimes struggle to dress myself without help! Improving nutrition and managing my stress in healthy ways are just some things I do daily for the management of my own autoimmune disorder. Please keep watching our posts, call our clinic, or come to our classes, and we will hopefully be able to address some of the underlying health issues involved with autoimmune illnesses.
