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Autoimmune diseases can affect many parts of the human body.

Immune system disorders cause abnormally low activity or overactivity of the immune system. In cases of the immune system overactivity, the body attacks and damages its own tissues. Immune deficiency diseases decrease the body’s ability to fight invaders, causing vulnerability to infections.

Some common diseases that are generally considered autoimmune include:

  • Celiac Disease: 

    is a problem some people have with foods that contain gluten. Gluten is a type of protein. It’s found in the grains wheat, barley, rye, and triticale (a wheat-rye cross). When you have this disease and you eat food with gluten in it, the gluten triggers an immune response that is not normal.

  • Diabetes Mellitus Type 1: 

    also known as type 1 diabetes, is a form of diabetes mellitus in which very little or no insulin is produced by the pancreas. Before treatment this results in high blood sugar levels in the body. The classic symptoms are frequent urination, increased thirst, increased hunger, and weight loss.

  • Graves’ Disease:

    also known as toxic diffuse goiter, is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. It frequently results in and is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It also often results in an enlarged thyroid.

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease:

    is an umbrella term used to describe disorders that involve chronic inflammation of your digestive tract. Types of IBD include: Ulcerative colitis. This condition causes long-lasting inflammation and sores (ulcers) in the innermost lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum.

  • Multiple Sclerosis:

    is a disease in which the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. This damage disrupts the ability of parts of the nervous system to communicate, resulting in a range of signs and symptoms, including physical, mental, and sometimes psychiatric problems.

  • Psoriasis:

    is a long-lasting autoimmune disease characterized by patches of abnormal skin. These skin patches are typically red, dry, itchy, and scaly. On people with darker skin the patches may be purple in colour. Psoriasis varies in severity from small, localized patches to complete body coverage.

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis:

    is a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints. It typically results in warm, swollen, and painful joints. Pain and stiffness often worsen following rest. Most commonly, the wrist and hands are involved, with the same joints typically involved on both sides of the body.

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:

    is a chronic disease that causes inflammation in connective tissues, such as cartilage and the lining of blood vessels, which provide strength and flexibility to structures throughout the body.

Cannabinoids have been tested in several experimental models of autoimmune disorders and have been shown to protect the host from the pathogenesis through induction of multiple anti-inflammatory pathways.

There is promising potential for use of cannabinoids as a new class of anti-inflammatory agents against autoimmune diseases.

Apollo has seen countless patients who suffer from autoimmune disorders, and we look forward to helping you too!

Find out if medical cannabis is right for you.

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

Bodystream has merged into Apollo as of May 1, 2023, and here at Apollo we are looking forward to welcoming all new and existing Bodystream patients for free appointments with a medical cannabis healthcare practitioner.

Bodystream has merged into Apollo as of May 1, 2023, and here at Apollo we are looking forward to welcoming all new and existing Bodystream patients for free appointments with a medical cannabis healthcare practitioner.