Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune disease. The most common description of autoimmune disease is that it is a condition that occurs when the "body attacks itself". This definition doesn't even begin to encompass what autoimmunity really is. This disease is much more than inflammation caused by body "attacking itself".

The immune system, like most of the body, requires balance to function properly. T-helper 1 (Th1) cells and T-helper 2 cells (Th2) help regulate the body's response to foreign invaders.

Th1 uses white blood cells to go after viruses and cancer cells. Th2 immune cells use antibodies to go after bacteria.

Normally, the body strikes a balance by switching back and forth between Th1 and Th2. In a person with an autoimmune disorder, one dominates and suppresses the other.

Trans fats, mercury and other heavy metals, sugar and processed foods, alcohol, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, and stress are part of a modern lifestyle that can disrupt the Th1/Th2 balance.

Autoimmune Disease and Women

Th1 dominance in women is associated with autoimmunity and recurrent miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy. Additionally, children in the autism spectrum tend to be Th1 dominant.

Besides autoimmunity, Th2 dominance is characterized by a tendency toward allergies, frequent colds and viral infections, and cancer.

Both Th1 and Th2 cells make a protein substance known as cytokines. Cytokines cause inflammation.

Cytokines are a necessary part of our immunity. Inflammation should be a temporary response to injury or infection. It is the over-production (too many) of certain small cytokine molecules that leads to the invasion and inflammation of an organ or body system.

Changes in the Brain

In the brain, cytokines can cause behavioral changes. They can either prompt or worsen depression, anxiety, or anorexia. They may cause a person to become withdrawn.

Cytokines create fatigue and interfere with sleep patterns. They are one thing responsible for what has been termed "brain fog."

Autoimmune conditions are named or categorized according to where in the body cytokines are being overproduced and how the disease manifests itself.

For example, an overproduction of these cytokines in the joints causing pain and swelling is called Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). It may go by different names and occur in different places in the body, but ultimately, autoimmunity is one disease with many different faces.

Lupus can affect the skin, lungs,kidneys, heart,joints, and/or nervous system. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) involves the internal organs. When only the skin is effected, the condition is called Discoid Lupus. Eventually, 5%-10% of individuals diagnosed with Discoid Lupus will also develop Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Symptoms vary and can be mild or severe. They can also change from day to day.

-Almost all people with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus have joint pain and will eventually also develop arthritis.

-About half of those with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus develop a "butterfly" rash over the bridge of the nose and cheeks.

-Rash all over the body.

-Skin lesions

-pregnancy loss

-nephritis (kidney inflammation)

-kidney failure

-Up to 85% of those with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus develop some type of blood disorder.

-blood clots

-strokes

-pulmonary embolism

-Anemia

-Pericarditis

-Endocarditis

-Myocarditis

-Chest pain

-Arrhythmias

-Pleurisy (inflammation of the lining of the lung)

-Shortness of breath

-Up to 25% of those with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus develop neurologic disorders.

-Seizures

-Psychosis

-Headaches

A Natural Occurance

What you may or may not realize is that autoimmunity occurs naturally in everyone to some degree. In an ideal environment, the cells that are capable of attacking the body's own tissue are kept under control by the body itself.

If the body's environment falls out of balance, it can cause dsyfunction and breakdown of its internal safety mechanisms; causing the body to mistake itself as an enemy.

Just as your genetic make-up can cause greater susceptibility to burning in the sun, your genes can make you more susceptible to autoimmunity. However, genetics do not guarantee that you will develop any type of autoimmune disease.

According to the researchers at the University of Utah, genetics aren't everything. In the case of identical twins, when one twin develops Multiple Sclerosis, there is only a 30% chance of the other (genetically identical) twin also being diagnosed with the disease. A separate study showed the incidence of lupus between identical twins even lower at 24%. With Rheumatoid Arthritis, there is a 1 in 4 chance.

"AUTOIMMUNITY: It's Time for Truth; It's Time to Heal" ~ 286 pages, 8"x11" softcover. ~ $22.00 (plus shipping)
Purchase the soft cover version today and receive the ebook version for FREE! Instant access upon receipt of payment.

Autoimmune sufferers from all walks of life have been inspired by my story and wanted to know exactly what changed my life so dramatically. I have shared these secrets in "AUTOIMMUNITY: It's Time for Truth; It's Time to Heal".

Now it is YOUR turn. I am willing and anxious to pass on these hard to find facts to you.

• Learn the many simple steps you can take to make your immune system less likely to attack your own cells.
• Learn practical tips to decreasing pain with your diet .
• Learn which silent disease accompanies autoimmunity 80% of the time, robbing your body of oxygen and what you can do about it.
• Learn the vitamin, mineral, and hormonal deficiencies associated with lupus, fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Asthma, MS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and more...
• Learn what daily activity builds up toxins in your body and what you can do about it.
• Learn what you must do to help your immune system fight off viral invasions.
• Learn the secrets to eating so that you suppress, instead of promote swelling and inflammation.

If you want to take control of your health, you must learn the secrets of diet and nutrition's effect upon the immune system.

 

 

Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out teaches you how to promote good mental and physical health. The book includes EXCELLENT tips on eating. This  book has an incredible message!

 

 

 

 

 

This is a support forum to discuss the book Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out, by Marci Shimoff.

This forum is especially geared toward individuals with autoimmune disease like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. The lessons taught in this book are VITAL to those with autoimmune disease.

For extra help, this forum features -

 

 
Author, Heidi Whitaker, from http://healthydivas.com & http://www.fibromyalgiatruth.com/blog 

Life Coach, Alisa Hancock, from http://www.coachalisa.com

Whole Food Living Expert, Sandra Boyer, from http://mymedicinalfoods.com/blog/

 Image Consultant, Randi Gerber, from http://www.workfromhomechoices.com & http://www.connectingwithwomen.com.