Auto Immune conditions

Complications of Graves' disease can include: Pregnancy issues: Possible complications of Graves' disease during pregnancy include miscarriage, preterm birth, fetal thyroid dysfunction, poor fetal growth, maternal heart failure and preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a maternal condition that results in high blood pressure and other serious signs and symptoms. Heart disorders: If left untreated, Graves' disease can lead to heart rhythm disorders, changes in the structure and function of the heart…

The diagnosis of Graves' disease may include: Physical examination: Your doctor examines your eyes to see if they're irritated or protruding and looks to see if your thyroid gland is enlarged. Because Graves' disease increases your metabolism, your doctor will check your pulse and blood pressure and look for signs of tremor. Blood sample: Your doctor will order blood tests to determine your levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), the pituitary hormone that normally stimulates the thyroid…

While there are no clear causes for Graves’ disease, genetics plays an important role. So if you have a family member with Graves' disease, then your chances are increased.  If you have a high risk of Graves’ disease, try and live a healthy life. Avoid smoking. Smoking increases the risk of Graves' disease and Graves' ophthalmopathy. Reduce stress in your life. Meditate, exercise regularly, take up activities that you enjoy and that calm you. 

Says Cindy Payne, who fought against the nerve-damaging autoimmune condition with yoga. I took my first yoga lesson in 1997 more out of curiosity than anything else, since yoga was not yet popular in Singapore. In 2001, I began to study Iyengar Yoga more seriously. When I first started taking lessons, I was primarily focused on the physical part of the practice – seeking to counter all the running I had been doing for 25 years, plus juggling owning a boutique marketing-…

Or is it sometimes the fall guy for other allergens? Dietitian Ujjwala Baxi tells you what to do if you think you are gluten-sensitive. First tip: Do not rush into a gluten-free diet plan. I first heard about gluten sensitivity during my college days when I was studying nutrition. During my year of internship in a 1,000-bed government hospital in India, I heard of only 3 gluten sensitive cases that were referred to the dietary department for a specific meal plan. This was 10 years back. Now, in…

Principles of a lifestyle free of gluten will entail: Avoid all foods made from wheat, rye and barley. Examples – daliya, wheat roti, paratha, noodles, pasta, naan, kulcha, poori, breads, biscuits, buns, patties, cookies, all sooji, vermicelli and maida items. Be aware of hidden sources of gluten and make your choice.  Condiments such as soy sauce, salad dressing, cheese spreads, bottled smoothies and milk shakes, malt vinegar also contain gluten. Processed foods are most likely to…

There is no cure for celiac disease. The only treatment is gluten-free diet which does not contain wheat, rye, barley and their derivatives. Gluten is found in biscuits, bakery items, saucesbread, pasta, breakfast cereals, snacks and other processed foods. Don’t forget to read food labels and see for gluten free alternatives. The disease severity will be varying depending on the patient’s immune response. Some patients can ingest small amounts of gluten without developing symptoms, while others…

Can Celiac Disease be prevented? Celiac disease cannot be prevented. But if you have celiac disease, you can prevent the flare-up of symptoms and continual damage to your small intestine by adhering to a strict gluten-free life. For a gluten free diet, read more in Celiac Disease Management section. References: https://www.schaer.com/en-int/faqs/types-of-coeliac-disease https://nationalceliac.org/resources/what-is-celiac-disease-2/?gad_sour… https://www.worldgastroenterology.org/guidelines/…

Doctors often use Modified Marsh classification based on histopathology to understand various levels of intestinal damage identified in biopsy. Stage 0 – Pre infiltrative mucosa considered as normal. Stage 1 – Increase in the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELS) to more than 25 per 100 electrolytes with a normal crypt/villi ratio. Stage 2 – In addition to the increased IELS, there is an increase in crypt depth without a reduction in villus height. This is known as crypt hyperplasia.…

Consultation of gastroenterologist and dietitian is important for diagnosing and managing this disease. In order to diagnose the condition, the doctor may suggest some of the following: Physical examination and review of medical history. Blood tests– To measure levels of antibodies and to detect nutritional deficiencies (iron levels). Antibodies such as immunoglobulin A (IgA) anti tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibodies, IgA anti endomysial antibodies (EMA) and IgA anti deamidated gliadin…