What’s The Story On Autoimmune Diseases?

Autoimmune diseases have a bit of mystery around them, which so you might not fully understand what they are.

This is partially because autoimmune conditions have an unknown cause.

Despite this, though, and thanks to a great deal of diligent study, medical researchers have uncovered a good deal of intel on them. This helps your naturopathic doctor to put together a treatment plan that can help.

There are currently no known cures for autoimmune diseases. There are, however, ways to make them easier to live with. This is how your naturopathic doctor can help.

Let's talk more about autoimmune diseases. What they are, where they come from, and some information on the more common autoimmune conditions.

What Is An Autoimmune Disease?

An autoimmune disease is a disease that affects the immune system. Rather than fighting off invaders in form of viruses and illnesses, an autoimmune condition causes your body to attack its own tissue.

It’s unknown what triggers this event. Autoimmune disease results in the immune system not being able to differentiate between foreign cells and host (your own body’s) cells.

Often, these immune responses are specifically-located. In other words, one type of cell or body part is being mistaken for something dangerous.

Because the cause is unknown, treatments usually focus on trying to manage symptoms and triggers.

What Causes Autoimmune Diseases?

Although we don’t know what actually causes an autoimmune disease, we do know that some of them are hereditary.

For instance, lupus and multiple sclerosis run in families. Not everyone in the family will have the disease, but you're more likely to develop this condition if your close relatives did.

Another working theory is that autoimmune diseases are related to exposure to chemicals and solvents.

Autoimmune diseases have been steadily increasing over the recent years. This suggests there is an environmental cause.

Another course of study suggests that the rising diagnosis of autoimmune conditions may be related to our high-fat, high-sugar, highly-processed Western diet.

The more scientists understand our gut microbiome, the more we learn about how it influences our many other systems, including our immune systems.

Who's At Risk For Autoimmune Diseases?

Studies have shown there are certain people more likely to get an autoimmune disease.

For instance, ethnic groups. Lupus is more prevalent among those of Hispanic and African descent.

As well, cis women deal with with autoimmune diseases twice as often as cis men.

Finally, if you’re a woman who is prone to getting an autoimmune disease, it’s more likely to manifest during childbearing years.

How Many Autoimmune Diseases Are There?

Because autoimmune diseases can be localized to a specific area of the body, they are categorized as unique diseases.

To-date, there are at least one hundred different autoimmune diseases commonly accepted.
Below we’ve explored a few of most common.

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Arthritis is famously what causes sore, stiff joints.

However, it's usually associated with old age. That's a different condition - osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, can affect people at any age.

Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis focus on reducing the redness, swelling and associated pain.

2. Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis attacks the protective coating around nerve cells (called the myelin sheath).

When this sheath is damaged, it slows the transmission of signals between your brain and spinal cord.

The result includes symptoms of weakness, numbness, and difficulty with balance or walking.

3. Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin-specific autoimmune disease. That means the immune system attacks cells in the epidermis.

This creates red, itchy patches with a scaly skin buildup resulting from the over-activity of the skin attempting to reproduce and heal. The skin is often raised and inflamed, but it can range in severity from mild and painless to severe and, in rare cases, life-threatening.

4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes the inflammation of the lining of the intestinal wall.

However, IBD is an umbrella term. It refers to different types of inflammatory bowel disease that affect different parts of the gastrointestinal tract.

Some of the more common conditions you may have heard of include:

• Ulcerative colitis - which primarily affects the colon and rectum
• Crohn's disease - which can attack any part of the GI tract
• Celiac disease - which primarily affects the small intestine

5. Graves' Disease

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. Your thyroid regulates the hormones related to your metabolism.

When you have Graves’ disease, your thyroid overproduces these hormones, causing a condition called hyperthyroidism. This can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:
•
Anxiety
• Tachycardia
• Heat sensitivity
• Unexpected weight loss
• Menstrual fluctuations
• Chronic fatigue
• Heat intolerance
• Nervousness

Contact Annex Naturopathic

If you’ve been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, naturopathic medicine can complement your medical treatment for it.

If you’re concerned you may have an autoimmune disease, call Annex Naturopathic now to get a consultation.

One of our doctors will be able to help you understand what's happening to your body. From there, we'll explore the next steps and treatments targeted to your case.

 

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Tanya Lee, N.D

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1
-https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic Clinic is a clinic in Toronto that offers integrative healthcare solutions from Drs. Marnie Luck, ND, and Tanya Lee, ND

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See more tips on health, wellness, naturopathy, and medicine at: naturopath in Toronto

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Natural Solutions For Acne

Acne hits us at different times of life – most commonly during puberty, but as early as infancy and as late as old age.

If you're a new mom, you might be seeing the return of an old acquaintance you thought you'd long been rid of. Among all the other stresses and anxieties of pregnancy, acne is the icing on the cake.

So if you come to us for help with natural health care for your child or baby, acne might be on your mind as well.

So let's talk about acne. What is it, what causes it, and what you can do about it.

What Exactly Is Acne?

Acne occurs when the skin’s sebaceous glands secrete enough oil that it plugs your pores.

Large pores or openings generally result in blackheads, while small pores become whiteheads.

It doesn't matter which you experience, though. All forms of acne are unpleasant. They can all lead to inflammation, tenderness, and infection.

What Causes Acne?

There are two main causes for acne: heredity and hormones.

If your parents have acne, there's a good chance you'll face it as well. You'll have to do the best you can with the genes you have.

Hormones, on the other hand, fluctuate all the time. Depending on the month, the day, or the stage of life you're in, your hormones will fluctuate. It doesn't matter what gender you are.

These hormone fluctuations can lead to skin acne. This is part of the reason why teenage acne is so common - puberty is a time of heavily fluctuating hormones.

Puberty lasts to the early twenties, when puberty-related acne will wane and stop. However, keep in mind that adult acne still accounts for 20% of cases, so you may not ever truly be in the clear.

Aside from the above, bacteria can also cause problems. If the excess sebum closes the openings for your hair follicles, bacteria can lead to whiteheads or blackheadds.

Hair follicles clogged in this way are called comedones. If the bacteria grow into these comedones and builds up too much, it can cause the follicle wall to break and leak into nearby tissues.

This turns into a pustule or papule, and is called inflammatory acne. Larger, more severe pustules are called nodules.

One last cause of acne can be your choice of contraceptive. Oral contraceptives, injectable contraceptives and IUDs can cause acne for some women, but might actually clear it up for others.

What DOESN'T Cause Acne?

Now that we know what causes acne, it's time to dispel some of the myths around this troublesome skin condition.

First off, food. You may have heard binging on fried food and chocolate will cause acne outbreaks. This myth is common, but untrue.

What's more likely is that you went for the junk food because of a change in your hormones. And as we mentioned above, hormonal changes can lead to acne breakouts.

Likewise, stress isn't a direct cause of acne. If you've never dealt with acne before - you lucky devil - a stressful period is unlikely to cause acne.

However, it is clear that stress and a poor diet can aggravate your acne. So it's worth considering both when you're dealing with an outbreak.

Natural Solutions For Acne

There are pharmaceutical creams and pills that can help with acne. However, these tend to come with side effects that make them less attractive.

Instead, consider the many natural solutions – below are a few to get you started.

1. An Elimination Diet

While food doesn’t directly cause acne, it seems it can increase the odds of getting it.

In this case, dairy products seem to increase the chances in people ages 7-30. This may be because of all the hormones in milk, or due to an inflammatory response to an intolerance.

It’s for this reason naturopathic doctors often recommend an elimination diet. This is how to find out what foods aggravate your body’s natural hormone cycles, triggering acne breakouts.

To do this, you start with two weeks of a bland diet. The idea is to cut out anything that might be a typical allergen or cause an inflammation response in your body.

Once you have a baseline for what’s normal, you start to gradually add back foods, one at a time. All the while, pay close attention to the effect they have on your body, and in this case, your acne.

2. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has antiseptic qualities. It's a naturally-derived product that comes from Australia.

Mix one part tea tree oil with nine parts water, and then dip a cotton swab and apply it to your acne; repeat once or twice a day.

Compared to other topical solutions – such as benzoyl peroxide – it may not work as fast. However, it also has fewer negative effects, such as dryness, irritation and burning.

If used consistently over a couple of months, it can have a significant impact on acne, and can be an effective treatment for mild and moderate acne.

3. Address Digestive Issues And Nutrient Deficiencies

As we pointed out in the elimination diet tip, the food going into your body can increase your chances of getting acne.

In this particular case, zinc supplements lead to a discernible reduction of acne after eight weeks.

Improving your diet so that your body is not stressed can help to reduce your acne. We’ve blogged extensively about the digestive system and gut health, and how it impacts all kinds of disorders and conditions – and acne is no different.

4. Reduce Stress

Stress causes a hormonal response in your body. This response can increase sebum production and skin inflammation, which makes acne worse.

There have been studies that have proven a significant link between stress and the severity of acne, especially in men.

Not only can it impact the severity of your acne, it can also slow down the healing process of lesions by up to 40%.

Some good ways to reduce your stress to help calm your skin include:

• Fitting in some physical activity
• Meditate or practice yoga
• Deep breathing
• Get more good-quality sleep

5. Exfoliate Your Skin

Exfoliation is the process of removing the top layer of skin from the epidermis. You can use a brush, with a scrub, or through applying a thin layer of acid to dissolve the dead skin cells.

It’s thought that by removing these dead cells, it allows medications, creams and treatments to penetrate better.

As well, it prevents clogging of pores with sebaceous deposits that can lead to blackheads or whiteheads.

While the research is limited, small studies have shown exfoliation treatments lead to clearer skin. In one study, 96% of the participants were happier with their complexions than before exfoliating.

To make your own at home, rather than pay for expensive treatments, mix equal parts sugar or salt with coconut oil.

Use this mixture to scrub your skin thoroughly, then rinse well; you can do this once daily to help reduce your acne.

Contact Annex Naturopathic

The nice thing about seeing a naturopathic doctor is that we pull on a wide variety of aids in helping you with your concerns and conditions.

The truth is that different people need help in different ways, and we’re happy to explore what works for you.

If you’re suffering from acne that’s making you want to hide away, call Annex Naturopathic now to book your appointment. We’ll help you put your best face forward again.

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Marnie Luck, N.D

Annex Naturopathic Clinic
572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

-https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic Clinic is a clinic in Toronto that offers integrative healthcare solutions from Drs. Marnie Luck, ND, and Tanya Lee, ND

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Find additional tips on health, wellness, naturopathy, and medicine at: naturopath Toronto

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Naturopathic Solutions For Psoriasis

Psoriasis isn’t generally a life-threatening condition. But it can still be severe enough to greatly impact people’s lives.

Unfortunately for those who suffer, psoriasis has no known cure. This is partly because it has no known cause.

That’s why people often turn to natural solutions for skin conditions such as psoriasis – because it’s sometimes the only help they can get.

Read on to find out more about psoriasis, and some natural solutions to help.

What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is your body’s immune system attacking its own skin cells. It’s not clear why this happens.

There is no cure for psoriasis. The typical conventional treatments for psoriasis work to suppress your immune reaction. This has the effect of reducing the severity of the inflammation. These only help within a limit, and are often riddled with unwanted side effects.

While we understand that there are certain reasons why someone may have to be on these medications to control your symptoms, there are also natural solutions can help you manage your symptoms.

Types Of Psoriasis

There are different types of psoriasis, all with different symptoms, locations and triggers.

If you suffer from psoriasis, but you don’t know which, here’s an overview:

Plaque Psoriasis

To give you some idea, there are roughly 7.4 million Americans with psoriasis. Of those, 80% have plaque psoriasis (the rate is similar in Canada).

Plaque psoriasis shows up with red, inflamed patches, which will often have scales on top.

Plaque psoriasis is most often found on elbows, knees and scalp.

Guttate Psoriasis

This form of psoriasis is most common in childhood, and causes small pink spots on the skin.

Unlike other forms of psoriasis, guttate spots are not usually raised or inflamed.

Children will often develop guttate psoriasis on their arms, legs and torso.

Pustular Psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis is just like it sounds: it looks like white, pus-filled blisters.

It is often surrounded by red and inflamed skin.

Pustular psoriasis is most frequently found on the hands and feet, and is more common in adults.

Inverse Psoriasis

Instead of being white and crusty, inverse psoriasis is patches of bright red, shiny, inflamed skin.

It usually breaks out in areas where the skin folds. For example: under the breasts or armpits, or around the genitals and groin.

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

This is the one type of psoriasis that is so severe it can actually be life threatening, but it is luckily very rare.

This type can develop suddenly, and covers entire sections of the body all at the same time.

The skin may appear sunburned, but it will develop scales that fall off in entire sheets or sections. This can be dangerous.

People who develop erythrodermic psoriasis can become very sick, develop infections, and run a fever.

If you develop erythrodermic psoriasis, please see a doctor immediately.

Symptoms Of Psoriasis

Symptoms are an obvious buildup of skin in the form of scale.

The scale often comes with redness and itchiness.

Whatever it is that triggers the immune system, it focuses on a patch of skin, and starts producing extra skin cells in an attempt to ‘repair’ the perceived issue.

These scales can get dry and crack, which can also cause its own pain.

What Causes Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is still a bit of a mystery to scientists and doctors. The most commonly accepted theory currently is that it’s caused by an overactive immune response.

Psoriasis is a hereditary condition, so if your parents suffer from it, you’re more likely to have or develop it.

As well, it seems to worsen in response to stress or other triggers, although these aren’t technically a cause of psoriasis.

However, the fact that these can worsen your case is enough of a reason to be aware of your stress levels. Consider other factors that may affect your condition as well. These may include alcohol, hormones and cold weather.

Is Psoriasis Contagious?

The short answer is: no, it’s not at all contagious, so you can feel free to hug that friend.

It may look suspicious, due to the redness of the skin. But it's unlike other skin conditions you need to be wary of, as it’s completely harmless to anyone who doesn’t already have it.

 

Natural Solutions For Psoriasis

Because there is currently no known cure, we need to look at ways to deal with the symptoms. This includes reducing the frequency of flare-ups, scale build-up, and itchiness.

Here are some natural ways to manage your psoriasis, all topical.

If you’re ever advised to take any treatment, be sure to speak with your doctor. Certain medications - natural or otherwise - can interfere with other medications or be harmful for pregnant women.

1. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic that has many uses.

It's gentle enough to apply directly to your skin, unless you’re allergic to it.

Shampoos with tea tree oil are a good way to deliver its helpful properties to scalp psoriasis as well. It has the added bonus of being a barrier to catching head lice.

Although many people report relief with tea tree oil, there are few scientific studies to prove it.

2. Oregon Grape

Oregon Grape – also known as Mahonia – is an herb with antimicrobial properties.

Make sure not to ingest this herb without medical supervision. Instead, apply it to the skin in a cream solution with 10% Oregon Grape.

The cream has been shown to be an effective treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Organic apple cider vinegar is another good option. It can help reduce itchiness caused by scalp psoriasis, as well as other kinds of psoriasis.

Apply it to your scalp or skin several times a week. Be sure to rinse the area after application has dried, to avoid possible irritation.

If you feel a burning sensation when you apply the apple cider vinegar, dilute it with water in a 1:1 ratio.

One last note: if you have cracked or bleeding skin, don’t use apple cider vinegar. It's going to hurt, a lot.

4. Curcumin

Curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

It's an excellent natural way to fight inflammation in many forms, including the inflammation from psoriasis.

You can get curcumin in pill or supplement form. However, you can also find it in your spice cabinet – it’s the active ingredient in turmeric.

For better results, eat turmeric along with black pepper. The latter will increase the bioavailability of the curcumin.

5. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has been used for generations to help with skin conditions and injuries.

Research has proven it can help reduce redness and some of the scaling that patients with psoriasis suffer from.

You can put the gel from the plant itself directly on your skin, or look for a cream that contains .5% aloe.

If you suffer from psoriasis, consider keeping an aloe plant in your home as a great backup to other remedies. Just don't forget to water it every so often.

Contact Annex Naturopathic

If you’ve found your way here because you suffer from psoriasis, you’ve come to the right place.

Call Annex Naturopathic now to book a consultation. We can help you explore natural solutions to your psoriasis.

 

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Tanya Lee, N.D

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1
-https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic Clinic is a clinic in Toronto that offers integrative healthcare solutions from Drs. Marnie Luck, ND, and Tanya Lee, ND

---

Find more tips about health, wellness, naturopathy, and medicine at: Annex Naturopathic Clinic Toronto

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