Moodle at CCNM

Autoimmune disease is growing at epidemic proportions with a very strong predominance of women being affected. Standard interventions are based on symptom control and immune suppression. This presentation reviews a proactive integrative, systems biology, approach for the naturopath to address disease prediction, prevention and treatment, including various evidence-based modalities. Presentation elements also include an exploration of why females are at such increased risk. The role of estrogen and other hormones, the GI microbiota, food immune reactions, stealth infections and molecular mimicry in autoimmune disease pathogenesis will be explored along with how these may serve as leverage points for naturopathic clinical interventions. The hygiene hypothesis and changes in early environmental antigen exposure are also explored. New opportunities for proactive screening for at risk subjects for autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and others using emerging predictive antibody testing are also reviewed and discussed from the perspective of the naturopathic doctor.

Research suggests that “classic” fibromyalgia (FMS) is a central pain processing disorder and does not appear to be a peripheral somatic disorder. Dr. Brady emphasizes the concept that this central-mediated disorder is strongly associated with psychological disorders, including trauma and abuse history, depression, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, and sleep disorder. Common mechanisms in-play regarding these concomitant issues and global pain will be fully explored and accurate differential diagnostic and comprehensive naturopathic therapeutic strategies will be discussed in-detail. The concept of “pseudo” or “false” fibromyalgia diagnostic labels are also discussed, to include various organic and functional medical conditions, as well as somatic musculoskeletal conditions, which confound the accurate diagnosis of “classic” FMS will are also presented.

Research suggests that “classic” fibromyalgia (FMS) is a central pain processing disorder and does not appear to be a peripheral somatic disorder. Dr. Brady will emphasize the concept that this central-mediated disorder is strongly associated with psychological disorders, including trauma and abuse history, depression, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, and sleep disorder. Common mechanisms in-play regarding these concomitant issues and global pain will be fully explored and accurate differential diagnostic and comprehensive naturopathic therapeutic strategies will be discussed in-detail. The concept of “pseudo” or “false” fibromyalgia diagnostic labels will also be discussed, to include various organic and functional medical conditions, as well as somatic musculoskeletal conditions, which confound the accurate diagnosis of “classic” FMS will also be presented. Natural and pharmacological interventions options will be presented, including discussion of the following medications: - Savella (milnacipran HCl) - Duloxetine hydrochloride (Cymbalta) - Pregabalin (Lyrica) -Gabapentin -Naltrexone

Autoimmune disease is growing at epidemic proportions. Standard interventions are based on symptom control and immune suppression. This presentation with review a proactive integrative, systems biology, approach for the naturopath to address disease prediction, prevention and treatment, including various evidence-based modalities. The role of the GI microbiota, food immune reactions, stealth infections and molecular mimicry in autoimmune disease pathogenesis will be explored along with how these may serve as leverage points for naturopathic clinical interventions. The hygiene hypothesis and changes in early environmental antigen exposure will also be explored. New opportunities for proactive screening for at-risk subjects for autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and others using qPCR molecular methods of assessing the GI microbiota, as well as emerging predictive antibody testing, will also be reviewed and discussed from the perspective of the naturopathic doctor.