Autoimmune Disorders
Hashimoto’s disease, or thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition. When the immune system’s antibodies attacks the thyroid glands it causes inflammation and destruction of the tissue.
This condition is known as Hashimoto’s disease, the most prevalent cause of hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid gland.
The disease reduces the thyroid’s ability to produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone. Without enough thyroid hormone the body cannot function properly.
Risk Factors
It is generally accepted by the medical profession that if a person has a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease, it is very possible that they also suffer from other autoimmune conditions. The risk also increases when there is a family history of autoimmune disease.
Hashimoto’s disease can occur at any age, however it is more common in middle age. Women are much more likely than men to contract the disease. Continue reading
Inflammatory Bowel disease is a generalized term for conditions that are characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
When the immune system functions correctly it attacks organisms such as bacteria or viruses to protect the body. IBD is the result of a defective immune system, responding to environmental triggers which cause inflammation and damage to the intestines.
Inflammatory bowel disease is not a progressive condition, and does not necessarily get worse over time. Severity of symptoms vary from time to time and person to person.
Flare-ups of symptoms often seesaw from mild to severe and back to mild again, while others may experience quite long periods of remission. Sometimes months or even years elapse between flare-ups.
IBD interferes with the body’s normal functions. When the disease is medicated to control inflammation, most people are able to perform normally. If left untreated it can be debilitating and sometimes lead to serious complications. Continue reading