Autoimmune Disease

An autoimmune disease is a condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your body. This can be terribly painful. The immune system normally guards against germs like bacteria and viruses. When it senses these foreign invaders, it sends out an army of fighter cells to attack them. Normally, the immune system can tell the difference between foreign cells and your own cells. In an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakes part of your body, like your joints or skin, as foreign and attacks it. It releases proteins called autoantibodies that attack healthy cells. Some autoimmune diseases target only one organ. Type 1 diabetes damages the pancreas. Other diseases, like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), affect the whole body.

Causes​ Of Autoimmune Disease

• Food Allergies

• Food Intolerances

• Chronic Stress

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Grief

• Unresolved Trauma

• Gut Inflammation

• Infections

• Mold

• Heavy Metals

• Medications

• Lack of Gut Flora

• Alcohol Consumption

• Cigarette Smoking

• Lyme Disease

• Processed Diet

• Self-Destructive Lifestyle Habits

• Self-Destructive Thoughts

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Symptoms Of AutoImmune Disease

• Chronic Fatigue

• Joint Pain

• Muscle-aches

• Stiffness

• Swelling

• Edema (Swelling)

• Shortness Of Breath

• Rashes

• Eczema

• Fever

• Headaches

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Insomnia

• Blurred vision

• Dry Eyes

• Thyroid Problems

• Digestive Problems

• Sores or Ulcers

• Anemia

• Weakness

• Memory Loss and Confusion

• Complications including higher risk for high blood pressure and heart disease, kidney damage, lung damage, infections, seizures and stroke

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Some Autoimmune Conditions

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Lupus

• Hashimotos

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Celiac disease

• Pernicious anemia

• Type 1 Diabetes

• Sjögren’s syndrome

• Vasculitis

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Addison's Disease

• Grave's Disease

• SLE

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Beneficial Tests

• Full Workup - Organs, Blood, Inflammation, Vitamins (B12, B9, D), Insulin Resistance

• The antinuclear antibody test (ANA) is often one of the first tests that doctors use when symptoms suggest an autoimmune disease. A positive test means you may have one of these diseases, but it won’t confirm exactly which one you have or if you have one for sure.

• Other tests look for specific autoantibodies produced in certain autoimmune diseases. Your doctor might also do nonspecific tests to check for the inflammation these diseases produce in the body such as SED rate and CRP (c-reactive protein).

• Nutrient Deficiencies

• Glutathione

• Stool Digestive Function

• Food Intolerance

• Food Allergy

• Hormone

• Leaky Gut or SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacerial Overgrowth)

• Lyme

• Dental Chemicals

• Environmental Toxins - Heavy metals

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Allopathic Treatment Options

1. Anti-rheumatic drugs

2. Corticosteroids

3. NSAIDS

4. Immunosuppressants

5. Blood pressure medications

6. Hormones and birth control pills

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Naturopathic Treatment Options

1. Discover the root cause to why your body is creating symptoms.

2. Begin with natural, non invasive solutions to support and regulate the immune system to heal itself.

3. Support liver health to detox environmental toxins.

4. Removes food intolerances, food allergies, and other environmental toxins that may be impacting digestion, immunity, and causing inflammation.

5. Address nutrient deficiencies which is vital for overall function and mood.

6. Rebuild and restore digestive function, the foundation of immune health, with herbs, vitamins, amino acids, and nutrition.

7. Manage stress and unresolved trauma that weakens immunity. 

8. Support emotional health and spiritual health which are essential in overall sense of wellbeing.

9. Teach lifestyle adjustments unique to your lifestyle and schedule that may include exercise and other lifestyle habits. Dr. Felty looks at more than your symptoms. She provides care for your whole health. Many different factors impact your symptoms. Dr. Felty will take time to educate you and work with you to feel better

10. Naturopathic Counseling

11. Hydrotherapy

12. Homeopathy

13. Referral to other healers or practitioners relevant to your health and healing.

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Everyone is unique and has different reasons why they develop autoimmune conditions. Dr. Felty cured herself of an autoimmune condition and she can help you. Dr. Felty can educate you on what your body, mind, or spirit needs to improve and heal from this. Even if doctors have said 'it is all in your head' or that 'you can not heal'. It is not all in your head. It is in your body too and you absolutely can heal. Dr. Felty understands from healing PTSD that trauma gets stored up in the body and eventually will cause symptoms. She will show you how to release any stored up trauma in the body while removing things in your environment that irritate your body as well. She will show you how to heal yourself and optimize health. She was told that she had an incurable chronic illness that will eventually take her life. She has proven many gastroenterologists wrong. She has been medication free for more than 10 years and has cured her digestive issues while also freeing her mind from disease.

She will teach you how to do this slowly as you achieve your desired results. In return, you will live a lifestyle that creates health rather than disease. Whatever you are struggling with, she can help. You can see her while continuing to see your primary care team. She may educate you on labwork to get, supplements to take, lifestyle changes to make, thought retraining, healing infections, healing your gut, and healing trauma. This all depends on your unique situation. Once you meet her, you will know that she tailors everything based on your experiences, symptoms, mindset, and history. She will support you as your take baby or big steps on your health journey. Whenever you are ready, she is here for you. Call her office 872-228-1630 to schedule an appointment. 

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