Autoimmune Disease
Under normal immune conditions, the immune system protects the body from potentially harmful substances by recognizing and responding to antigens. Under autoimmune ("auto" meaning self) conditions, the immune system mistakes its own cells and tissues as harmful and attacks them.

Autoimmune disease can destroy numerous body tissues and systems - including the blood and blood vessels, digestive tract, eyes, glands, heart, joints, kidneys, lungs, muscles, nerves, brain, and skin. Symptoms associated with autoimmune disease vary depending on the particular disease. Some examples of autoimmune disease include, but are not limited to:
-Rheumatoid arthritis
-Type 1 diabetes
-Systemic lupus erythematosus
-Multiple sclerosis
-Reiter's syndrome
-Graves' disease
-Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Researchers are unsure of the exact causes of autoimmune disease. Reducing symptoms, keeping the autoimmune process under control, and enhancing the body's ability to fight disease are the main goals of autoimmune disease treatment. Various functional medicine approaches may help with this treatment strategy.

Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome:
Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) is a condition characterized by severe, long-term fatigue that is not relieved by rest. To be classified as CFIDS, the fatigue must be severe enough to decrease one's ability to participate in normal daily activities by 50%. In addition to fatigue, patients with CFIDS may experience:

-Mild fever (less than 101 degrees F)
-Sore throat
-Swollen or tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpit
-Muscle weakness
-Muscle and joint aches
-Headaches
-Sleeping too much or too little
-Forgetfulness, irritability, confusion, or difficulty concentrating
-Depression

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that as many as 500,000 Americans have a CFIDS-related condition. CFIDS occurs two to four times more often in men than in women. While the exact cause is unknown, researchers speculate that age, genetic predisposition, stress, anxiety, prior illness, and poor eating habits play a role in the development of CFIDS. There is no cure for CFIDS; however, functional medicine approaches may help relieve debilitating symptoms and improve overall vitality.

Chronic Cold and Flu:
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is a viral infection of the respiratory tract that causes fever, headache, muscle aches, and overall weakness. There are three types of influenza virus, all of which are spread from person to person through the inhalation of infected droplets in the air.

Type A virus is constantly changing and is usually responsible for large outbreaks of the flu. New strains of Type A virus develop regularly and may result in a new flu epidemic every few years. Types B and C are fairly stable viruses. Type B causes smaller influenza outbreaks, and Type C usually causes mild symptoms that are similar to the common cold.

The common cold is a contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes, sneezing, and sore throat. Generally, colds are spread through contact with droplets from the coughing or sneezing of someone with a cold. The common cold is caused by over 200 viruses - known as rhinoviruses. Immunity to a wide variety of rhinoviruses develops as we grow older, and as such, children may have up to 10 colds a year, while adults may only have up to 4 colds a year. The common cold is the number one reason for missed work and school. In fact, due to excessive amount of missed work and school, medical expenses, and over-the-counter medications, the common cold costs Americans $2.5 billion annually.

Many adults and children are diagnosed with the cold or flu on a continual basis and/or for an extended period of time (longer than 8 to 10 days). This can be caused by a variety of dietary and lifestyle factors, but ultimately, the primary factor is a chronic weakness of the immune system.

Because the common cold and flu are caused by viral infections, antibiotics have no effect unless you are treating a secondary bacterial infection. Prescribing antibiotics creates antibiotic-resistant organisms, which are now a serious worldwide problem.

Hypoglycemia:
Glucose (i.e., sugar) is the basic fuel that all cells in the body use to make energy. In an optimal state, the body maintains blood glucose levels in a fairly narrow range - not too low and not too high. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels drop to an abnormally low level. Several symptoms can accompany hypoglycemia, including:
-Fatigue
-Headache
-Trembling
-Blurry or double vision
-Excessive cold sweats
-Rapid heartbeat
-Hunger
-Slurred speech
-Irritability
-Depression, anxiety, or nervousness
-Confusion
-Dizziness
-Overall discomfort or malaise (feeling ill)
-Seizures
-Coma

According to the National Institutes of Health, hypoglycemia results 1.) when glucose is used too quickly by the body, 2.) when glucose is released into the bloodstream more slowly than is required by the body, or 3.) when excessive insulin (a hormone that reduces blood glucose) is released into the bloodstream. In addition to genetic predisposition, these factors can be caused by:
-Certain drugs (such as insulin or other antidiabetic medication)
-Excessive alcohol intake
-Kidney, heart, or liver failure
-Pancreatic tumors
-Dietary factors (i.e., inappropriate diet or lack of caloric intake)
-Strenuous exercise without an increase in food intake

Functional medicine - especially dietary adjustments and nutritional support - may be useful in regulating blood sugar. If symptoms of hypoglycemia are severe, however, you should seek immediate medical attention.