By Simon Yu MD
Do you have one of those autoimmune diseases of “many names” after years of struggling and searching for help with your chronic physical ailments? The rate of the Autoimmune Disorders has risen rapidly in the last 40 years, and has become one of the most common medical diagnoses with a multitude of physical signs and symptoms. Autoimmunity is a medical enigma and epidemic out of proportion despite advancement in medical science.
One in ten people develop an autoimmune disease (more women than men), and the diagnosis rate is rising. There are now about a hundred classified autoimmune diseases. Among the most well-known are lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s disease, Grave’s thyroiditis, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, mixed connective tissue disease, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. The list is growing, and we do not have a clear understanding of why our immune cells are attacking out own bodies. Infections, environmental toxins, and genetics are the leading candidates for triggering autoimmune response. Have other factors been overlooked?
Is it possible that autoimmune disease is a misdiagnosis, based on our limitations of medical science? We know one of the hallmarks of autoimmunity is inflammation, with some sort of antibodies developed as inflammatory markers to our tissues and organelles, and at the DNA level. As an example, a diagnosis for lupus includes a battery of blood tests including antinuclear antibody (ANA) test, different imaging tests like chest x-ray and echocardiogram, and tissue biopsy like skin or kidney. Treatment is limited based on your signs and symptoms. It could be ibuprofen, an antimalarial parasite medication like hydroxychloroquine, steroids, immunosuppressant drugs, and new biologics like Rituxan (Rituximab) which can also be used for rheumatoid arthritis and non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. If you do not correct the true underlying problems, you became a part of the medical system as a permanently labeled lupus patient. Is there a solution to autoimmune disease?
Sometimes it is better off ignoring the diagnosis. Starting with a fresh point of view, I check 40 main meridian points based on acupuncture meridian assessment (AMA), and develop a treatment plan based on addressing the biggest problems first. Some people have multiple autoimmune diseases concurrently such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, interstitial pneumonitis, psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis. Unless we correct the upstream underlying problems, we end up treating symptoms, and dealing with complications of the disease process itself, and the side effects of treatments. In most cases, genetics play a minor role compared to dental problems, parasites, and environmental toxin exposures.
Physicians rely on dentists to correct dental problems, and dental issues are the most overlooked missing links. Routine dental X-rays will not reveal jaw infections until there is significant bone damage. CBCT, the gold standard, may miss jawbone osteonecrosis until there is at least 10-15% bone destruction. The early warning signs for dental and jaw problems can be picked up based on energetic evaluation using AMA. If we understand energy medicine, a cure from autoimmune disease is possible. A strong physician-dentist team can connect the missing links of medical and dental problems, and go beyond (mis-)diagnosis to effective treatment.
Dr. Simon Yu, MD is a Board Certified Internist. He practices Internal Medicine with an emphasis on Integrative Medicine to use the best each has to offer. For more articles and information about integrative medicine, patient success stories, and Dr. Yu’s latest book, AcciDental Blow Up in Medicine: Battle Plan for Your Life, visit his website at www.preventionandhealing.com or call Prevention and Healing, Inc., 314-432-7802. You can also attend a free monthly presentation and discussion on Integrative Medicine at his office on the second Tuesday each month at 6:30 pm. Call to verify the date. Seating is limited, arrive early.
Simon Yu, MD
Prevention and Healing, Inc.
10908 Schuetz Road
St. Louis, MO 63146 314-432-7802
www.preventionandhealing.com
Weaving Internal Medicine with Integrative Medicine to Use the Best Each Has to Offer