Specialties

Autoimmune disease: when the body’s immune system (which normally defends against disease) begins attacking healthy cells. This can affect one or more systems within the body. It is possible to develop more than one autoimmune disease at a time. Roughly 50 million people in the U.S. have an autoimmune disorder. Women are diagnosed more often than men.

There are many types of autoimmune disease. Three of the most common are:

  • Lupus, which affects skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis, which causes inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues
  • IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), a group of diseases including Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, that affects the colon and small intestine

Causes of Autoimmune Disease

It is not known exactly why people develop these disorders. Some experts believe they can be triggered by a number of factors, including

  • bacteria or virus
  • medications
  • chemicals
  • environmental pollutants
  • food sensitivities
  • family history

Symptoms

While symptoms will vary from person to person, the most common are fatigue, low-grade fever, aches and pains that persist over time. Often people will experience cycles where symptoms flare up for a period of time and then fade into remission, followed by another flare-up.

Natural Treatment Options

The Naturopathic physicians at Desert Wellness Center are well-versed in using safe, effective natural treatments for a wide range of autoimmune disorders. They will listen carefully and work with you to create a customized treatment plan that may include: