What Kind of Doctor Treats Autoimmune Disorders? | Immune Support Specialist in Miami Beach
Autoimmune diseases occur when a patient’s body loses the ability to distinguish between normal and abnormal cells. In this instance, the body will attack the healthy cells by mistake.
People in America suffer from over 80 different types of autoimmune diseases. Luckily, a specific kind of doctor can treat a wide variety of autoimmune disorders. A primary care physician will often recommend patients suffering from autoimmune disorders to an immune support specialist in Miami Beach to address their issues.
Although no healthcare provider can address every healthcare concern, in the case of autoimmune deficiencies and disorders, an immune support specialist in Miami Beach remains the ideal solution. They will address a patient’s problem with what often represents the best course of action, bolstering and supporting the immune system.
What is an Autoimmune Disorder?
The immune system can distinguish between foreign cells and the cells in our bodies. The immune system safeguards the body against unwanted invaders like bacteria and viruses. When it senses these foreign invaders, it disperses cells to attack them.
When patients suffer from an autoimmune disease or disorder, the immune system will mistake a part of the body like joints or skin as foreign. This triggers the systematic response to release proteins called autoantibodies that attack healthy cells.
In some cases, an autoimmune disorder will only attack one organ. For example, Type 1 diabetes specifically targets the pancreas. However, other diseases like lupus may impact a patient’s entire body.
Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease
An immune support specialist in Miami Beach can analyze a patient’s condition to determine if they suffer from an autoimmune disorder. Some of the early symptoms of these conditions appear very similar. They include:
- Fatigue
- Hair Loss
- Low-Grade Fever
- Muscle Aches
- Numbness and/or Tingling in the Hands and Feet
- Skin Rashes
- Swelling and/or Redness
- Trouble Concentrating
Nevertheless, every autoimmune disease must be approached and treated on a case-by-case basis. Patients may additionally demonstrate symptoms that come and go or appear in outlined “periods”. Some specialists refer to symptom periods as flare-ups and periods when symptoms go away as remission.
When a patient duffers form symptoms like muscle ache and swelling, fatigue, as well as redness, these could all represent indicators of an autoimmune disease. Symptoms can appear continuously or come and go over time.
Testing for Autoimmune Disorders
No single test can diagnose a wide variety of autoimmune disorders. Doctors may administer various tests to review a patient’s symptoms, in addition to analyzing a patient’s condition through a physical examination.
One of the most common tests a specialist will administer first is the antinuclear antibody test or ANA. A doctor will analyze a patient’s condition, and if their symptoms suggest the presence of an autoimmune disorder, they can rely on the ANA for confirmation. Unfortunately, a “positive” result doesn’t confirm exactly which disease a patient suffers from.
Other autoimmune tests administered by an immune support specialist in Miami Beach look for specific antibodies produced by specified autoimmune disorders. Doctors may administer additional testing to check for inflammation these targeted diseases produce within a patient’s body.
Treating Autoimmune Disorders
Treatments don’t cure autoimmune disorders. However, they can control a patient’s overactive immune response while minimizing inflammation and pain. A specialist may also rely on a treatment that aims to relieve symptoms like swelling, fatigue, or skin rash.
An immune support specialist in Miami Beach like Dr. Faride Ramos may also work with patients on a nutrition plan. Eating a well-balanced diet and committing to regular exercise often help patients feel better while bolstering the immune system.
In many instances, working to prevent immune system responses even temporarily before the onset of an autoimmune response is the best way to prevent invaders and autoimmune problems in the first place.
Immune System Support Specialist in Miami Beach | Dr. Faride Ramos
With patients facing over 80 different autoimmune disorders, their symptoms can offer overlap and provide difficulty for specialists attempting to diagnose the specific disease. Blood tests and other analyses work to help doctors diagnose autoimmune conditions.
Nonetheless, this is not a health concern patients should attempt to approach or handle alone without professional intervention. Dr. Faride Ramos is an immune system support specialist in Miami Beach that proudly serves the South Florida community as a trusted resource. To learn more information on how our team can help you with immune support, reach out to us today!
