Autoimmune Disorders Treatments in San Diego & Surrounding Areas
Get Effective Autoimmune Disorder Treatment
in San Diego Today
Have you felt like your body is at war with itself? Does a diagnosis like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis leave you with more questions than answers? Battling an autoimmune disorder can be a bewildering, frustrating, and sometimes scary experience. At Advanced Functional Medicine in San Diego, we understand. That’s why we offer a different approach to autoimmune disorder treatment—one focused on identifying the root cause of your condition for true healing.
What are Autoimmune Disorders?
Your immune system is a brilliant, complex defense network, designed to protect you from foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. The modern world is full of toxins and chemicals that can hyper stimulate the immune system. With an autoimmune disorder, your immune system mistakenly identifies healthy tissues or cells as dangerous and begins to attack them. This misdirected attack can target specific organs, like the thyroid, or create widespread inflammation throughout your body, affecting multiple systems.
Types of Autoimmune Disorders
There are over 80 known autoimmune disorders, and they can strike anyone, regardless of age or gender. Some of the most common autoimmune disorders include:
Your immune system causes Psoriasis, Eczema, redness, Rosacea
Your joints are inflamed and damaged, causing pain and stiffness.
Inflammation can affect multiple parts of the body, from joints and skin to organs.
The protective covering of your nerves is damaged.
Your thyroid gland is under attack, leading to low thyroid hormone levels.
Chronic inflammation occurs in the digestive tract.
Autoimmune Disorder Symptoms
Symptoms vary significantly depending upon the type of autoimmune disorder you have. However, some common early signs include:
Persistent Fatigue
Joint Pain and Stiffness
Skin Rashes or Redness
Digestive Upset (Gas, Bloating, Diarrhea, Constipation)
Headaches
Difficulty Concentrating ("Brain Fog")
Taking Care of Autoimmune Disease?
Traditional medicine often focuses on managing autoimmune disorder symptoms with medications that suppress the immune system. While these medications can be helpful, they often come with side effects and don’t address the reason your immune system is malfunctioning in the first place.
At Advanced Functional Medicine, we believe a different path is possible. Our functional medicine approach explores the underlying triggers behind your autoimmune disorder and strives to get your immune system back in balance. This often involves a combination of:
Identifying Hidden Trigger
From food sensitivities to chronic infections, we use specialized testing to uncover what may be aggravating your immune system.
Healing the Gut
A compromised gut lining ("leaky gut") can contribute to widespread inflammation and immune dysfunction.
Natural Detoxification Support
Your body's detoxification system may need some support to clear out toxins and reduce the burden on your immune system.
Managing Stress
Stress can significantly worsen autoimmune disorders. We'll help you develop effective stress management techniques.
Advantages of Functional Medicine for Immune System / Autoimmune Disorders
Functional Medicine offers some fantastic benefits for immune system and autoimmune disorders that are safe, natural, and often more effective than drug therapy.
Finding the root cause of autoimmunity and healing the body is a natural, minimally invasive treatment option with no risk of side effects.
Identifying Root Causes and eliminating triggers, help to drastically reduce inflammation; a major driver of autoimmune disorders.
The regenerative factors of Functional Medicine support repair and healing to alleviate damage caused by the autoimmune process.
The Importance of Functional Medicine in Autoimmunity
Autoimmune disorders require careful and expert management due to their complexity. A Functional Medicine Clinic can:
Going beyond conventional medicine.
Addressing the unique root causes.
Ensuring continuous improvement and healing.
Why Choose Advanced Functional Medicine in San Diego?
At Advanced Functional Medicine, our approach to autoimmune disorders in San Diego and surrounding areas is unique. We focus on identifying and treating the root causes rather than just addressing symptoms. Our practitioners will develop a comprehensive, individualized plan tailored to your needs, blending functional medicine principles with cutting-edge therapies.
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Personalized Care
Treatment plans customized to individual needs and goals.
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Experienced Specialists
Our doctors have extensive knowledge in functional medicine.
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Holistic Approach
:Combining the best in Functional Medicine for comprehensive care.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Don’t let autoimmune disorder symptoms control your life. At Advanced Functional Medicine, our doctors in San Diego and surrounding areas can help you take back control. Schedule a consultation today and explore a new path toward health and wellness.
FAQs
An autoimmune disorder occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy cells and tissues. Normally, the immune system acts as a protective shield, identifying and destroying harmful invaders like bacteria, viruses, and toxins. However, this defense system malfunctions in autoimmune conditions and begins targeting organs, joints, skin, and other healthy body parts.
The exact cause of what triggers autoimmune disorders remains complex and multifaceted. Research suggests that genetic predisposition, environmental factors, infections, and lifestyle elements may contribute to their development. Stress, poor diet, toxin exposure, and certain medications can also trigger these conditions.
Recognizing autoimmune disorder symptoms early can be challenging since they often mimic other health conditions. Here are five of the most frequent warning signs:
- Chronic Fatigue and Weakness: One of the hallmark symptoms is persistent exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest. This fatigue often feels overwhelming and can significantly impact daily activities.
- Joint Pain and Swelling: Many autoimmune conditions cause joint inflammation, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling. This discomfort may be worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
- Skin Changes: Rashes, dryness, sensitivity to sunlight, or unusual skin discoloration can indicate autoimmune activity. These skin manifestations vary greatly depending on the specific condition.
- Digestive Issues: Bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, or food sensitivities frequently accompany autoimmune disorders, as the gut plays a crucial role in immune function.
- Brain Fog and Cognitive Difficulties: Mental clarity issues, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and feeling “cloudy” are common complaints among those with autoimmune conditions.
Over 80 different autoimmune disorders have been discovered, each affecting different parts of the body. Some of the most common types include:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: It primarily attacks joints, causing pain, swelling, and potential joint deformity over time.
- Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: This condition targets the thyroid gland, often leading to hypothyroidism and metabolic issues.
- Type 1 Diabetes: This happens when the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
- Multiple Sclerosis: This affects the central nervous system, damaging the protective covering of nerve fibers.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease: It causes chronic inflammation in the digestive tract.
- Lupus: This is a systemic disorder that can impact several organs, including the skin, joints, kidneys, and heart.
- Celiac Disease: This triggers an immune response to gluten, causing harm to the small intestine lining.
Diagnosing autoimmune disorders requires a comprehensive approach combining medical history, physical examination, and laboratory testing. The diagnostic process typically includes:
- Blood tests to check for specific antibodies, inflammatory markers, and organ function. Standard tests include ANA (antinuclear antibody), ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), and CRP (C-reactive protein).
- Imaging studies such as X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds may be necessary to assess organ damage or inflammation.
- Tissue biopsies might be required to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of tissue damage.
Advanced Functional Medicine in San Diego, CA, takes a comprehensive, root-cause approach to autoimmune disorders that differs significantly from conventional medicine. Rather than simply managing symptoms, functional medicine practitioners focus on identifying and addressing the underlying factors contributing to immune system dysfunction. This approach includes a detailed assessment of gut health, as approximately 70% of the immune system resides in the digestive tract. Practitioners examine food sensitivities, intestinal permeability, and microbiome balance to restore optimal gut function.