Autoimmune Diseases and Their Environmental Triggers

Autoimmune Disease (AD) refers to any of a number of disorders caused by an immune system defect that allows the body to attack its own tissues. Some say 20 percent of the population is susceptible to Autoimmune Disease. According to current theory, individuals who develop AD do so because they are exposed to certain environmental triggers. This work is a comprehensive resource for patients with autoimmune disease. The primary focus is on the specific environmental factors, including heavy metals, hormones, organic solvents, medications, and infectious agents, that lead to autoimmune disease and that make the symptoms worse in genetically susceptible individuals. Sections of this work describe the immune system, the natural courses of disease for the various system-wide and organ-specific autoimmune disorders, and genetic factors and lifestyle influences associated with AD. Diagnostic concerns, conventional and alternative treatment options for AD, current research paths, and laboratory tests are also covered.

Elaine A. Moore has worked in hospital laboratories for more than 30 years, primarily in immunohematology and toxicology. She is a freelance medical writer and laboratory consultant. For more information, visit her website at www.elaine-moore.com. She lives in Sedalia, Colorado.

The illustrator, Marvin G. Miller, is a clinical chemist. He lives in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Elaine A. Moore

Illustrated by Marvin G. Miller

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 239
Bibliographic Info: photos, resources, glossary, notes, index
Copyright Date: 2002
pISBN: 978-0-7864-1322-5
eISBN: 978-1-4766-0263-9
Imprint: McFarland
Series: McFarland Health Topics

Acknowledgments     vii

List of Illustrations     xi

Introduction     1

1 Health vs. Environment     5

2 What Are Autoimmune Diseases?     17

3 What Went Wrong? The Players in Autoimmune Disease     32

4 Why Me? Genetic Factors     62

5 Environmental Triggers of Autoimmune Disease     72

6 Tricky Business, Diagnosing Autoimmune Disease     98

7 The Autoimmune Disease Spectrum     121

8 Conventional Treatment Options     155

9 Alternative Medical Treatment Options     168

10 Current Research Trends     179

11 Resources     189

Glossary    & 203

Notes    & 215

Index     223

“Fact-filled”—Infocus.