Autoimmune Disease Specialist

What is an autoimmune disease?

In an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks rather than protects. Your immune system normally defends you from bacteria and foreign substances. However, when you have an immune disorder, your immune system can't differentiate between healthy and abnormal cells. 

If your immune system mistakenly perceives healthy cells as abnormal, you produce autoantibodies that attack healthy tissue. 

To worsen the problem, the cells that regulate your immune function don't function normally. This allows an unchecked immune system attack, causing serious damage. 

What are the most common autoimmune diseases?

There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune diseases. Some common forms of autoimmune diseases include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sjögren’s syndrome 
• Inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
• Lupus
• Multiple sclerosis
• Type 1 diabetes
• Psoriasis
• Graves’ disease
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

There are also many lesser-known autoimmune diseases. Almost 24 million Americans have some kind of autoimmune disease today. 

What are the symptoms of an autoimmune disease?

Autoimmune disease symptoms usually come and go. You could have long remission periods that allow you to feel completely normal, only to have a serious flare-up later. 

Every autoimmune disorder can have different symptoms, but some common problems include:

• Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness
• Rash, dry skin, or other skin problems
• Swollen glands
• Chronic fatigue
• Abdominal cramping or pain
• Low-grade fever

Many autoimmune disorders can have overlapping symptoms. For example, Sjögren’s syndrome can sometimes cause joint swelling and pain, just like rheumatoid arthritis. You can also have more than one autoimmune disorder at the same time. 

What is the best treatment approach for autoimmune disorders?

The Valdosta Specialty Clinic team can help you manage your autoimmune disorder with a personalized treatment approach. This can include:

• Finding the triggers for your flare-ups
• Dietary changes
• Oral medication
• Infusions
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
• Physical therapy
• Psychotherapy

There is not a cure for autoimmune disorders right now, but the team can develop an extremely effective management plan that allows you to live a normal life. 

They work with your referring physician and help you get all the multidisciplinary care you may need for the most effective autoimmune disease symptom relief. 

Don’t let an autoimmune disease stop you from enjoying your life. The experts at Valdosta Specialty Clinic are ready to help, so click on the online appointment scheduler or call the office today.