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Do you use drugs as a substitute for change?
Self-medication with alcohol or nicotine,
or with prescription anti-depressants and stimulants are easier than
applying intelligence,
focus and analytical skills to relationship situations.
Drugs are much more profitable for health
professionals, although the consequences
and side-effects of psychoactive drugs are unacceptable to many patients,
when better results may be achieved by changing
emotional and relationship habits.
What are Autoimmune Diseases?
If you have an autoimmune disease, your own immune system
attacks you. Autoimmune diseases are sometimes called collagen vascular
diseases because your immune system may attack supportive tissues and
blood vessels.
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In most autoimmune diseases the cause is unknown.
People with myasthenia gravis make an antibody that blocks the transmission of nerve
impulses to muscles; this causes muscle weakness and breathing difficulty associated
with the disease. In autoimmune hemolytic anemia, red blood cells are destroyed by
autoantibodies. People with lupus erythematosus make antibodies that attack cell
components, including genetic material.
Microsoft� Encarta� Reference Library 2003. |
If you have an autoimmune disease such as
Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis or Arthritis, your
immune system attacks your body tissues instead of protecting them.
Common medical treatments attempt to relieve your pain and to suppress
your immune system with steroids (corticosteroids) and other
immunosuppressive drugs.
Although some autoimmune diseases are associated with
exposure to toxic materials, we find that autoimmune conditions often
originate in trauma and relationship chaos, and that systemic coaching
approaches can complement mainstream medical treatment.
Some autoimmune symptoms appear to be triggered by food
reactions and environmental sensitivities. Some people improve with vegetarian
diets and some may benefit from avoiding foods high in both
phenylalanine
(chocolate, apples, chicken and peanuts)
and tyrosine
(dairy products, fish and oats). Many people respond to common
foods such as wheat, potatoes, milk and barley with depression.
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases include lupus,
multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia, but there are many others.
Pemphigus vulgaris, for example, is a blistering disease of the skin
and mucous membranes. Vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) is
also frequently autoimmune. Vitiligo (patchy loss of skin color) and
alopecia (patchy or complete baldness) are sometimes seen with
autoimmune conditions. Type 1 diabetes often results from white blood
cells attacking the beta cells of the pancreas.
Environmental Toxins
Environmental toxins appear to be a major cause of or
contributor to autoimmune disease, although conventional physicians may ignore
that when selecting medications. Instead, doctors are more likely to try to
shut down the body's immune response with powerful drugs.
People with autoimmune conditions can expect to be prescribed
including anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs like Advil and Aleve, steroids
like prednisone and anti-cancer drugs such as methotrexate. Drugs
such as Enbrel and Remicade can block the effects of inflammatory molecules.
Some few doctors successfully treat patients with autoimmune
diseases by addressing the underlying causes, including toxins, infections,
allergens, diet and stress. This functional medicine deals with the causes
of the problems, rather than the symptoms.
Medical Treatment
As the cause of autoimmunity is not
fully understood, most medical treatment attempts to alleviate the symptoms,
that vary according to the tissues being attacked. Pain-killers are commonly
prescribed, as well as corticosteroids and other immune system suppressants.
Regular exercise and adequate rest may help.
Note that in the USA generally, something has to be
proven harmful before it is taken off the market. In Europe, something
must generally be proven safe before it is allowed on the market.
Autoimmunity & Systemic Coaching
The older statistical paradigms used by many physicians
are slowly being replaced by systemic paradigms. If autoimmune symptoms
are examined systemically, systemic solutions may be found. We strive to
understand if and how a disease makes sense in a person's life.
We explore whether health symptoms have useful functions. As people
with autoimmune symptoms often have a family history of autoimmune
disease, some disease symptoms may reflect not genetic disturbances
but emotional disturbances associated with deep limiting beliefs.
This may help people who have food allergies and sensitivities
- which often seem to be based in relationship issues.
If you want to learn more, Google "systemic
coaching" with topics such as allergies, chronic fatigue
syndrome or lupus. Consider getting our coaching or training.
Let your experience indicate whether or not you are
on the right track. Don't change any medication or prescribed symptom
suppression until you discuss your research and results with your
physician. As you health improves, perhaps share your experiences
with other people.
Consult your physician about any
opinions about autoimmune diseases, or any medical symptoms, medical
diagnosis or medical conditions.
Are you Stuck?
What are you doing to get well? Are you just
waiting for something to happen? You are stuck only if you choose to be so.
Instead of frustrating yourself, and others, talk to your doctor and consider:
- Boosting your body�s detoxification.
- Avoid any food with that may harm you.
- Taking vitamin D, essential fats and
probiotics.
- Getting tested for mercury and other heavy
metals
- Getting tested for allergic reactions to
wheat and other grains.
- Avoiding inflammatory foods such as dairy,
eggs, corn and animal fats.
- Practicing deep relaxation daily through
yoga, meditation, biofeedback, etc.
- Checking out your emotional entanglements and
relationships with us by Skype.
Good Sleep
You probably feel better after a good sleep.
If you have trouble sleeping, you can:
- Establish a regular bed-time and stick to it
- Take a warm bath within two hours of going to bed
- Sleep on soft, lightweight sheets with a
lightweight blanket
- Set your bedroom temperature at about
60�-65� F or 15�-18� C
Good Humor & Confidence
Walk tall and confidently. Smile and greet people you
meet. Give a sincere compliment to a few people each day. Your
facial muscles will relax, and you can put more energy in your steps.
Many people with autoimmune diseases
keep on moving on. Others quit living, suffer and die.
Whatever brought your symptoms to the surface -
you can choose to do something about them.
Online Coaching & Mentorship
Plagiarism is theft. Copyright �
Martyn Carruthers 2004-2011 All rights reserved.
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