My Body Is Killing Me

Autoimmune disease or autoimmune disorders is the term used to describe any one of a great variety of immune system disorders that have attained epidemic proportions in our society, in which the body is considered to be responding inappropriately to substances that are normally present attacking its own tissues. This reaction can be confined to a single organ, as in thyroiditis, or involve a group of tissues in different places, as is the case with rheumatoid arthritis or M.S. The conditions are often chronic or debilitating and can even be fatal.

The standard mainstream approach to treating autoimmune diseases is generally to administer immune-suppressive drugs, such as NSAIDs or steroids, but these frequently have serious side-effects and tend to shut down the immune system, creating immune deficiency, so powerfully that the patient is exposed to an increased risk of life-threatening infections or diseases such as cancer. Furthermore, they take no account of the underlying causes of the body’s unusual behavior.

This is not to say that research has failed to come up with any feasible explanation. In a recent study at a well known medical school in America a leading professor stated that “there is no doubt that autoimmune diseases are on the rise and that our increasing exposure to toxins and chemicals is fueling the risk”. The scene can even be set before birth; in another recent study no fewer than 287 toxic chemicals were found in the umbilical cords of newborn infants.

Environmental factors must certainly take much of the blame, but to these must be added poor dietary and lifestyle practices. Humans are increasingly inclined to interfere with the natural rhythms of nature. One example of this is the commonplace disregard for the biological clock, as in the case of irregular sleeping patterns. Birds can be heard to start chirping at 6 a.m. each morning, whereas it is all too common to see a grown-up human ignoring the body’s requests for sleep, and when they find that the inclination has passed taking a sleeping pill to switch off the biological clock altogether. The natural cycle of hormone release is then thrown into disarray and the immune system is the first to suffer. All lifestyle stresses will ultimately cause the adrenals to be alerted and in their capacity as the body’s emergency response centre they do not know how to respond in moderation. Reactions to adrenal stress can affect any system of the body and can range from panic attacks to skin, gut and circulatory conditions, to name a few.

Ayurveda maintains that the body’s immunity is influenced by the power of ‘agni’ – the digestive fire – and the resulting ability to digest, assimilate and absorb vital nutrients. Any invaders that enter a system with such a good metabolic status will be successfully neutralized or destroyed, then expelled, and everything returns to normal. Problems arise when the digestion is impaired, causing a build-up of ‘ama’ (waste) which clogs the system and prevents vital nutrients from reaching the tissues. The immune system is then weakened paving the way to the potential development of immune system diseases.

Just as the immune system is weakened by poor diet and lifestyle, lack of sleep, stress and negative emotions, conversely it can be strengthened by a nourishing diet, good quality rest and exercise. Ayurveda has also a variety of supportive herbal medicines which are prescribed at times which take into account the biological clock. For example, Triphala is best taken at 6 o’clock, whereas another medicine will have a greater impact at 3 o’clock. The best time to flush the system by drinking a litre of fresh water is at 6 a.m. when the kidneys are functioning most effectively.

When the immune system appears to be out of control it is clearly indicating a need for support, not for suppression. The very same dietary and lifestyle practices that are good for health are excellent for immunity too.

Read a testimonial from one of my patients who decided on the Ayurvedic route to treatment of a severe autoimmune disorder.

Book an appointment regarding Autoimmune disease disorders or immune system diseases at Yatan Holistic Health Care Healing Ayurvedic Centre or Call us on 1300 552 260  for free consultation in Australia Sydney.