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Autoimmune Disease Treatment in Chicago

Physician-led functional medicine care for autoimmune conditions at our Lincoln Park and Hanover Park clinics.
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Autoimmune conditions are routinely misdiagnosed and misunderstood. The medical community is still in the process of uncovering the roots and triggers of autoimmune conditions. You may be searching for autoimmune disease natural treatment options because your questions are going unanswered. At Bliss Medicine, you’ll meet with an autoimmune disease doctor Chicago residents trust for holistic, strategic care. We understand that autoimmune diseases can impact every facet of life. We’re focused on uncovering the underlying causes that could be triggering an autoimmune response in your body.

Autoimmune Disorders Come in Many Forms

Autoimmune disorders can present in a variety of ways. Some people have very specific and persistent symptoms. Others experience symptoms that seem to come and go in waves. You may feel like you never know what to expect when you wake up in the morning. Here’s a look at the common autoimmune diseases we treat at our office:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Lupus
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Psoriasis
  • Inflammatory bowel diseases
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Ulcerative colitis

There are more than 80 known autoimmune diseases. At our office, we understand that autoimmune symptoms don’t always fit neatly into a box. We’ll work with you to document your symptoms, identify potential immune-response triggers and develop a healing plan.

The Many Causes of Autoimmune Diseases

An autoimmune disorder occurs when your body’s natural immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It’s not always clear why this happens. What we do know is that the body identifies its own tissue and cells as “threats.” It then destroys healthy tissue. Your body’s blood cells would normally protect you against things like cancer cells, toxins, bacteria, and toxins. However, the antibodies that are deployed against your own tissue create a host of physical problems.

Which Parts of the Body Are Impacted by Autoimmune Diseases?

An autoimmune disease can impact the way any part of your body functions. It’s possible that an autoimmune response only targets one specific organ or area of the body. It’s also possible for a response to impact multiple organs and systems. Many people experience changes in organ function, abnormal organ growth and tissue destruction resulting from autoimmune disorders. Here’s a look at the parts of the body that are commonly impacted by autoimmune responses:

  • Skin
  • Endocrine glands
  • Connective tissues
  • Blood vessels
  • Thyroid
  • Pancreas
  • Muscles
  • Red blood cells
  • Joints

People suffering from autoimmune diseases can experience everything from painful intestinal cramps to brain fog. Early symptoms are sometimes observed when the initial autoimmune response is triggered. Long-term symptoms that are preceded by achy muscles, fatigue, swelling, low-grade fever, numbness, tingling, hair loss, skin rashes and difficulty with concentration can indicate an autoimmune disease.

What Causes Autoimmune Diseases?

We don’t fully understand why the immune systems of some people begin attacking healthy tissue. Genetic factors, environment, exposure to chemicals and allergies are all thought to play roles in the development of autoimmune diseases. Many people who experience gut-related autoimmune responses may actually be allergic or sensitive to gluten. In fact, many patients have success with an autoimmune diet protocol that eliminates certain known toxins or high-sensitivity foods. Blood testing for food sensitivity can be useful during the diagnostic process.

The Role of Diet in Autoimmune Diseases

There’s some compelling evidence linking diet and autoimmune diseases. The links between diet, gut microbiota, T cells, and autoimmunity provide potential insights into why some people develop autoimmune diseases. Some researchers also see potential links between the standard Western diet and exacerbated autoimmune symptoms. An autoimmune diet used in treatment may consider the roles that high-fat, high-sugar and high-salt foods play in an individual’s autoimmune symptoms. The role of processed foods in one’s diet is also worth examining when trying to understand the underlying causes of autoimmune symptoms. Inflammation may also play a role in autoimmune diseases.

Bringing the Whole Picture of Your Autoimmune Disease Together

At Bliss Medicine, we use Functional Medicine to view your body as a single system when diagnosing and treating autoimmune diseases. You may feel like you are never heard when sharing your symptoms with medical professionals. What’s more, it’s possible that your symptoms have been dismissed because they don’t “fit into a box” for a common medical problem. Let’s change that!

Autoimmune Disease Treatment in Chicago and the Northwest Suburbs

Dr. Anand Thakkar, MD sees patients with autoimmune conditions at our Lincoln Park clinic (2707 N. Halsted St., Chicago) and our Hanover Park clinic near Schaumburg (1802 Irving Park Rd.). Patients often come to us with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or unexplained high inflammation markers, and many keep seeing their current specialists while they work with us.

Your first visit is a detailed review of your history, symptoms and past test results. From there, testing may look at possible triggers such as gut health, nutrient status, hormones, environmental exposures and chronic infections. Learn more about functional medicine testing, care for hypothyroidism, mold toxicity treatment and Lyme disease treatment, or read what a functional medicine doctor looks for. Call (630) 289-0440 to book a free 15-minute discovery call.

Book an Appointment

The Bliss MD team is here to listen. We’ll look at the possible causes of your symptoms together and explain what we find. Book a free 15-minute discovery call or call (630) 289-0440.

FAQ

How Do Doctors Diagnose Autoimmune Diseases?

No single test exists to diagnose autoimmune diseases. At Bliss Medicine, we use a comprehensive diagnostic system based on the principles of Functional Medicine. That means we’ll use a wide range of testing and documentation to identify and treat symptoms. We’ll also listen to you.

Can Autoimmune Diseases Be Fatal?

Yes, certain untreated autoimmune diseases can be fatal or shorten lifespan.

Do Both Men and Women Get Autoimmune Diseases?

Yes, autoimmune diseases affect both men and women, but they are more common in women.

Does Being Overweight Cause Autoimmune Disorders?

Recent research has concluded that obesity does appear to be an environmental factor that contributes to the onset and progression of autoimmune diseases. That does not mean that obesity is the cause of every autoimmune disorder. However, it does give credence to the idea that diet and lifestyle should be explored when treating autoimmune issues.

Can Autoimmune Diseases Be Cured?

It’s important to look at autoimmune diseases case by case, because each one behaves differently. Many patients are able to manage their condition well over time, and some see their symptoms improve with changes such as reducing exposures or adjusting their lifestyle. Your physician will talk with you about realistic goals for your situation.

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