Viruses have long been known to trigger abnormal body inflammation. The monstrous COVID-19 pandemic has escalated inflammation, the enemy of viral induced autoimmune disease, and has brought the need for unique approaches for the prevention and treatment of the disease to the forefront.
In this presentation Rheumatologist Lindsay Ledwich and Naturopathic Doctor, Heidi Weinhold, propose an integrative approach to treating viral induced autoimmune disease. Dr. Ledwich is a traditionally trained rheumatologist with 20 years of experience treating complex autoimmune conditions. Dr. Weinhold has a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine with over twenty years in clinical practice.
Dr. Lindsay Ledwich will review the basic science of viral induced autoimmune disease. She will discuss the importance of hormonal support, allergic responses and the role they play in worsening autoimmune, as well as the hypervigilance in the immune system that can lead to multiple organ dysfunction. She will highlight the need to reduce inflammation as well as the importance of diet to treat viral induced autoimmune.
Naturopathic medicine provides many modalities to help reduce inflammation, modulate immune function, increase mobility, reduce stress, and improve the quality of life of those living with autoimmune disease. Dr. Weinhold will discuss how naturopathic physicians help support patients living with autoimmune disease by utilizing dietary interventions, botanical medicine, nutraceuticals, and homeopathic medicine. She will share case studies and some clinical pearls that can be implemented into clinical practice. Dr. Weinhold believes that any disruptor, such as a cold, the flu, stress, can change the way the body absorbs vitamins and minerals. COVID is a huge disruptor.
Viruses have been triggering and driving abnormal inflammation with devastating consequences long before COVID, and will continue to do so as long as the general population does not vigilantly adapt to making lifestyle changes as well as being a strong and knowledgeable advocate for self-care.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze the principles of functional immunology to better understand how viruses trigger and perpetuate abnormal inflammation and autoimmunity.
- Analyze the basic science of viral induced auto- immunity, and most importantly, discover how to mitigate or even prevent it through natural support of the body’s immune system.
- Recognize the importance of following the Mediterranean diet to reduce autoimmunity and develop insights into the fundamentals of how wheat and dairy can exacerbate autoimmunity triggered by viruses.
