Without a doubt, in this issue, we are within the greatest enigma in human existence since, often, many people who suffer from this type of condition seem to be going around in circles, given the lack of convincing results, sustained improvement of symptoms, and constant relapses.
They cause many patients to abandon conventional treatment for their disease process. In this case, we are talking about the diseases that are so suffered but with the least defined etiology and therefore, with more unknown causes – autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues and cells rather than protecting it against foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Under normal conditions, the immune system is responsible for identifying and eliminating foreign substances that can cause disease, but in autoimmune diseases, this system becomes overactive and attacks healthy cells and tissues in the body.
There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune diseases, which can affect various organs and systems of the body, such as the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, and nervous system, among others. Some of the most common autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and type 1 diabetes.
The exact causes of autoimmune diseases are not fully understood, but it is thought that they may be related to genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. The symptoms of autoimmune diseases can vary widely depending on the type of disease and the organs affected, and include fatigue, joint pain, rashes, fever, and inflammation, among others.
Diagnosing autoimmune diseases can be tricky, as symptoms can be nonspecific and similar to other medical conditions. Conventional treatment of autoimmune diseases typically focuses on managing symptoms, reducing inflammation, and regulating the body’s immune response, often through immunosuppressive drugs, anti-inflammatories, and disease-specific therapies.
Emotional background of autoimmune diseases
The emotional background in autoimmune diseases is an important aspect to consider, as it has been observed that stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional factors can influence the development and progression of these diseases. Although the exact relationship between emotions and autoimmune diseases is not fully understood, it has been suggested that chronic stress and other emotional factors may trigger abnormal immune responses in susceptible individuals, exacerbating the symptoms and severity of the disease.
Chronic stress can negatively affect the immune system, increasing the production of certain inflammatory substances and weakening the body’s ability to regulate the immune response. This can lead to increased inflammation and increased autoimmune activity in people with autoimmune diseases, which in turn can worsen the symptoms and course of the disease.
In addition, chronic autoimmune diseases can have a significant impact on the quality of life of people who suffer from them, which in turn can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional problems. The emotional burden of dealing with a chronic illness, debilitating physical symptoms, uncertainty about the future, and the need to adapt to lifestyle changes can all contribute to the onset of emotional problems in patients with autoimmune diseases.
Therefore, it is important to address both the physical and emotional aspects of autoimmune diseases in the treatment and management of these conditions. This may include psychological support, cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation, yoga, the practice of relaxation techniques, and other strategies to reduce stress and improve the emotional health of those affected.
A comprehensive approach that takes into account both the physical and emotional aspects of autoimmune diseases can be beneficial in improving patients’ quality of life and well-being.
Autoimmune diseases according to psychoneuroendocrine immunology
According to psychoneuroendocrine immunology (PNEI), an interdisciplinary approach that studies the interaction between the nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system, autoimmune diseases can originate in a dysfunction in the communication between these systems.
Generally speaking, the PNEI posits that chronic stress, negative emotions, hormonal imbalances, and other factors can affect immune system function, predisposing to an inappropriate autoimmune response. For example, chronic stress can trigger the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol, which can have suppressive effects on the immune system and increase susceptibility to autoimmune diseases.
Therapeutic options for this type of disease
Knowing that autoimmune diseases precede their own defense mechanism due to stressful conditions both by the external environment and by internal conditions within the person, then we can understand that the therapeutic target will be based on the symptomatology and individuality of each patient, always addressing those situations or conditions that put their life or the quality of it at risk.
To do this, we have different therapies such as:
Homeopathy: due to its affinity and the depth of its treatments that not only cover the symptoms but also their psycho-emotional origin and allow us to see the progression of the disease or the possibility of favorable evolution of each patient using infinitesimal dilutions in potencies according to the symptomatological picture, the time with the pathology or the levels of involvement of the same.
Homotoxicology: Although it uses a symphony of homeopathic medicines, its approach reduces inflammation, eliminating toxins, toxic metabolites, heavy metals and pro-inflammatory compounds within organelles, thus preventing oxidative and progressive cell damage, generating long-term protective effects.
Functional nutrition: a healthy body requires a good balance of micro and macro elements, which, on many occasions, a conventional diet does not give us what we need, it is here when we can add certain foods prophylactically and even some nutraceuticals to strengthen some organs to tissues that need life support, especially in cases of diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Acupuncture: This ancient technique of traditional Chinese medicine strengthens, tones, helps drain and distribute both energy and nutrients to the different organs and systems, while reducing anxiety and stimulating the production of neurotransmitters.
Meditation and therapy: in addition to all other therapies, we must remember that in a large percentage of cases, an autoimmune disease always occurs after a trauma, an impact, or a loss that affected the balance of body, mind, and spirit of the patient, therefore psychotherapy, relaxation or meditation techniques, bowls or music therapy, they are very useful to help the patient resolve their conflicts and have the necessary tools to assimilate them, improve their quality of life and reduce the symptoms that are affecting them.
Talking about autoimmune diseases requires more awareness, greater openness, greater empathy from other people, and undoubtedly a broader knowledge at a holistic level, so we will continue to address a little more of this fascinating topic that is becoming more common among the general population every day.
