The Importance of a Healthy Lifestyle When Dealing With an Auto-Immune Disease

Anyone of the millions of people who live with an auto-immune disease can tell you first hand the difference between quantities of life over quality of life. What many people do not understand about autoimmune disease is that many of these illnesses can be prevented or at least managed with a healthy, stress-free lifestyle. But honestly, how many of us can live every day in a stress-free environment? This article will give you some facts and tips about living an easier life with one or many chronic diseases.

WHY ARE WE SICK NOT WHAT ARE WE SICK FROM

One of the biggest and most painful issues for anyone who lives with a chronic autoimmune disease is inflammation and it is a “HOT” topic in medicine and appears to be connected to nearly every chronic disease including autoimmune disease. Physicians are not currently trained to find and treat the underlying causes of inflammation such as allergens, infections, stress or any undiagnosed conditions. Currently 24 million people are affected by an autoimmune disease including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, IBS (inflammatory bowel disease), HIV and many more. Learning to ask ourselves WHY we are sick and not WHAT we are sick from will lead us to finding better long term solutions.

ADDING ACTIVITIES THAT IMPROVE YOUR LIFESTYLE

There are a number of activities you can do that will keep your immune system healthy and strong. Following smart lifestyle practices can ensure that you maintain your health even though you live with an autoimmune disease. Who knows, if you find the underlying causes your body may eventually heal itself! One way to find out the WHY is brainstorm areas that bring stress into your life. Focus in on a certain stressor and see if it can be eliminated or alleviated by a change in behavior or take more drastic measures if it cannot be easily eliminated. By drastic I mean a complete lifestyle change or even something as large as a move to a new climate that may help change the effects the environment may be having on your body.

Once you are ready to take control of your life and body here are some tips for healthy living.

• Eat a healthy, well balanced diet and drink plenty of water

Research done at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston found that medications are easier to process if a nutritious diet is followed.

• Avoid drugs and alcohol

Both drugs and alcohol weaken the body’s immune system and natural ability to heal itself. In addition, both can have a dangerous interaction with any medication you might be taking.

• Improve your oral health

Dental health issues are very common in people with an autoimmune disease and can lead to conditions such as oral warts, fever blisters, oral thrush, and canker sores. People with an autoimmune disease should see their dentist at least every six months.

FINDING EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS

Some effective ways to reduce stress that can cause a negative impact on your health includes adding activities like yoga, meditation, acupuncture as well as exercise, group support or one-on-one counseling to your daily routine. According to the University of California at San Francisco research has shown a definitive link between stress and a reduced immune system function which leads to a loss of appetite and interferes with sleep as well as a host of a long term negative impact on your overall health. Implementing a stress-relieving daily routine will boost your overall health, improve your mood, alleviate depression and help get your body in tune and in time with the world around you.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

Trying multiple alternative methods are always a great way to expand your experiences and gives you the opportunity to see if something like acupuncture, the practice of inserting very thin needles into specific points in the body, will help or not. Always try something for yourself because our bodies are all different and what works for one person may not work for the next. So we need to get second opinions about results and never say never until you have tried something yourself until you see the results. Don’t you agree that your long-term comfort and health deserves your every attempt at living the best life for you that you can? Acupuncture is a method that can been used to treat side-effects and symptoms from medications including everything from fatigue to stomachaches, and has been shown to boost immune function in patients who were treated with this method. Patients also reported feeling much more peaceful, calm, and relaxed after trying acupuncture.

KNOW YOUR BODY

People who live with an autoimmune disease should always be cautious while traveling, especially with the food and water they ingest because a food-borne illness, while unpleasant to most, can be life threatening to someone with a weakened immune system. One early sign to watch for are skin problems. People who are suffering with an autoimmune disease frequently have persistent skin infections including psoriasis, hives, shingles, and impetigo. If you are having any of these ongoing issues speak with your health care provider about the host of autoimmune diseases that could be affecting your life.

A healthy lifestyle is important for many reasons. It is even more important for anyone who is battling an autoimmune disease. A change of diet, increased exercise, and alternative treatments are all tools that can be used to heal and alleviate the symptoms of an autoimmune disease. The only barrier is putting your mind and body into action.

About the Author

Connie Shearer is a writer/blogger who also spends a large majority of her time advocating to end the stigma around HIV/AIDS. Connie lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, and has for the last 3 years. She is an active hiker; she has engaged in hiking trails over 2,000 miles including the entire coast of San Diego. Connie is a regular contributor to the Essential for Life brand.