by Jillian Finker, ND

When I first started practicing more than 15 years ago, I rarely saw patients with autoimmune issues. Today, there are about 50 million Americans that have been diagnosed with autoimmune diseases. Presently, more than 50 percent of the patients in my practice have had issues with autoimmunity.

Autoimmunity is a result of the immune system attacking itself. This can result in a variety of diseases, including Hashimoto’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, lupus, as well as more than 100 other diseases. These symptoms of autoimmunity can vary from a vague feeling of not being well, to rashes, stomachaches, swollen glands, and severe pain. These illnesses are often missed due to the variety of symptoms but can usually be easily diagnosed if the correct blood work is analyzed.

Studies show that pollutants from a busy road can contribute to rheumatoid arthritis. Purchasing an air purifier can help. GMOs (genetically modified organisms) or genetically modified foods have been shown to contribute to autoimmunity. Eating organic foods can help prevent the onset as well as mitigate the symptoms. Celiac disease can sometimes be an underlying contributing factor for other autoimmune diseases. Thus, avoiding gluten can help heal celiac disease as well as other autoimmune diseases. There are many natural therapeutics that have been shown to help patients heal from these diseases, ranging from DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) to vitamin D to natural anti-inflammatories.

There are so many ways to heal the body and prevent autoimmunity. It is important to check with your naturopathic doctor to find the right combination of treatments specific for your autoimmune issue.

Dr. Jillian Finker is a naturopathic doctor and owner of Finker Wellness Inc., located at 2308 Bellmore Ave., in Bellmore. Finkler specializes in women’s health, helping females with various hormonal problems. She is an expert when it comes to helping patients with thyroid issues, gastrointestinal problems, and anxiety. Finkler utilizes nutrition, supplements, homeopathy, and various other healing techniques to help heal her patients’ health problems. For more information, call 516-765-3272 or visit DrFinker.com.