Shawn went to the E.R. complaining of a rapid heart rate, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and anxiety. Found to have hyperthyroidism, he was sent to an endocrinologist at a university hours away. There he was diagnosed with Graves’ disease and recommended to undergo surgery to remove—or radiation to destroy—his overactive thyroid. But it didn’t make sense to him to take an overactive organ and turn it into a completely and permanently inactive (or absent) one, so he declined both options. Instead, he was prescribed a drug that would limit his thyroid gland’s ability to produce hormones and told to return in a few months for a recheck.

Although there were a few cases described earlier, Graves’ disease was first named after the Irish Surgeon Robert Graves in 1835. This fact is telling: Like all autoimmune diseases—approximately 100 of them are currently recognized—Graves’ disease appears to be largely a condition of industrialization. It wasn’t until the discovery of autoantibodies (antibodies that attack your own cells) in the 1940s, however, that scientists were able to link these diseases to the immune system. In other words, the immune system becomes confused and starts attacking not just foreign invaders but also healthy cells.

In the case of Graves’ disease, the immune system makes antibodies that “recognize” (attach themselves to) receptors on the surface of thyroid cells that stimulate them to produce thyroid hormones—constantly, without the usual regulation by the brain. As a result, a person develops excessive amounts of these hormones, which in turn overstimulate the metabolism of every cell in the body. This overstimulation can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including tremors, heat intolerance, excessive sweating, weight loss, nausea, diarrhea, headache, nervousness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, depression, an enlarged thyroid gland, decreased or absent periods, erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, rapid heart rate, and muscle weakness. Over time, if thyroid hormone levels are not brought under control, Graves’ can lead to bulging eyes, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and even a potentially fatal thyroid storm.

According to Yale University Medical School, “There is no cure for Graves’ disease.” Whereas there has been no recognized cure, many people just like Shawn no longer have measurable autoantibodies, no longer have excessive thyroid hormones, do not take any drugs to control them, and have normally functioning thyroid glands again.

At Prestige Wellness Institute, we have found that helping people with autoimmune diseases—including Graves’, Hashimoto’s, and numerous others—requires a different approach than the one that is traditionally taken. Medical schools teach students to treat some autoimmune diseases as if they were diseases of organs—such as the thyroid gland in the cases of Hashimoto’s and Graves’—and others as if they were diseases of the immune system—such as Rheumatoid arthritis and Lupus. In the former case, we often remove the thyroid, quite a drastic and unnecessary action for an organ that is otherwise perfectly healthy. In the latter, we use immune-suppressing drugs to prevent immune cells from attacking healthy cells. This latter approach, unfortunately, increases the risk of many cancers and hard-to-treat infections since it turns off components of the immune system that also happen to be necessary for killing microorganisms and cancer cells.

To better understand autoimmune disease treatment, consider the following analogy: Suppose you were walking down the street when you heard screaming. You get closer and discover a thug (who, unbeknownst to you, had a traumatic childhood) pummeling a helpless elderly woman. You could try to help the woman, but there’s no guarantee the thug isn’t going to keep pummeling her. You could neutralize the attacker, but it wouldn’t make sense to then walk away, leaving the woman on the ground dying.

As with the thug and his victim, if we want to do more than just control the symptoms of a given autoimmune disease, we have to simultaneously render first aid to the damaged organ or tissues (the victim) and help the immune system (the mentally-deranged thug) become unconfused instead of simply shutting off some of its important components.

In Shawn’s case, as in all others, a thorough search led to the discovery of several factors known to trigger autoimmune disease: gut dysfunction (some ~75% of the immune system actually resides in the gut), traumatic and other stressors, hidden infections, and toxins. Whereas it has also been demonstrated that specific predisposing genes are required for the development of autoimmune disease, we do not currently have the tools to remove or inactivate those genes. As a result, their identification in a given patient provides no benefit to treatment. Instead, we focus on repairing the gut lining, identifying and treating hidden infections, and systematically removing offending toxins from the body. At the same time, we utilize a variety of tools to support healthy immune function and whatever organ or tissue has been damaged by the dysfunctional immune system.

In Shawn’s case, symptoms of gut dysfunction surfaced decades before he developed any indications of his autoimmune disease. In other cases, people have no gastrointestinal symptoms at all, but we can prove the dysfunction using advanced testing methods. Interestingly, one of the triggers behind Shawn’s intestinal hyperpermeability was an old concussion he suffered while playing football in high school (any concussion will cause leaky gut due to chemicals released from the brain). Additional triggers a person may have include stress, unhealthy diets, chemical exposures (pesticides, cleaning chemicals, skin care products, etc.), antibiotics and other medications (some are actually designed to cause intestinal permeability in order to increase their absorption into the bloodstream), alcohol, and any number of infections.

If you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and want to do something to help yourself before seeing a doctor with expertise in their natural treatment, you can start with an anti-inflammatory diet. This includes foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, free-range/antibiotic-free animal meat, nuts, seeds, and spices. Things to avoid include grains, sugar, dairy, seed oils, and anything that is processed. This can seem daunting to anyone accustomed to the SAD (Standard American Diet), but it is entirely doable while you are recovering your health. Most people are shocked to discover how much better they feel in many ways by following even this one intervention. On his own, for example, Shawn had cut out gluten and dairy and experienced noteworthy improvement in how he felt overall even before he showed up for his first visit.

When you’re ready to take the next step with your autoimmune disease, call (435) 210-0184 to get started on your journey to better health. You may be surprised to discover you can feel better even than when you felt “normal”, before your first autoimmune symptoms.

And be sure to mention you read about it in Moab Happenings.

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, a time to raise awareness about the compassionate support available for those facing serious illnesses. Hospice care is a holistic approach to end-of-life care designed to support patients with terminal illnesses and their families. Understanding when and how to access hospice care can make this difficult time more manageable and ensure that patients receive the comfort and dignity they deserve.

When to Consider Hospice Care 1. Advanced Illness: Hospice care is often considered when a patient has a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less to live, as determined by a physician.

2. Frequent Hospitalizations: If a patient with a chronic illness is experiencing frequent hospitalizations or emergency room visits, the patient may want to consider hospice care.

3.Declining Health: Significant weight loss, decreased appetite, increased pain, and difficulty breathing are indicators that hospice care might be an appropriate option.

4. Choosing Comfort Over Curative Treatment: When a patient decides to focus on quality of life rather than aggressive treatments, hospice care can provide the necessary comfort and support.

How to Access Hospice Care 1. Speak with Your Doctor: The first step is to have a conversation with your healthcare provider. They can help determine if hospice care is appropriate and provide a referral.

2. Choose a Hospice Provider: Research and select a hospice provider that aligns with your needs and preferences. Consider factors such as location, services offered, and reputation.

3. Develop a Care Plan: Once enrolled in hospice care, the hospice team will work with you and your family and loved ones to develop a personalized care plan that addresses your medical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Hospice Care at Moab Regional Hospital At Moab Regional Hospital, Grand County Hospice provides attentive care through a coordinated interdisciplinary team dedicated to supporting patients and their families. Our team includes:

• Medical Director: Oversees the patient's medical care and coordinates with other healthcare providers.
• Registered Nurses: Provide skilled nursing care, manage symptoms, and ensure patient comfort.
• Social Workers: Offer emotional support, counseling, and assistance with practical needs.
• Chaplain: Provides spiritual care and support tailored to the patient's beliefs and preferences.
• Trained Volunteers: Offer companionship, respite care, and help with daily activities.

Choosing hospice care is a deeply personal decision, and it’s important to find a provider that offers comprehensive, compassionate care. At Moab Regional Hospital, we are committed to making this journey as comfortable and dignified as possible for our patients and their families. If you would like more information, please reach out to us at 435-719-3772.

Moab Regional Hospital, an independent nonprofit located in Moab, Utah, is a Critical Access Hospital and Level IV Trauma Center. With 17 beds, the hospital focuses on prioritizing patients, providing high-quality and affordable healthcare, and promoting community wellness.