Autoimmune disorders impact primarily women

August 23, 2012 8:00 am  •  By Jane Ammeson

The term autoimmune disorder is, in ways, a giant grab bag of diseases, some rare and often unheard-of to all but those who suffer from them. After all, names like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Myasthenia gravis and Sjögren’s syndrome aren't everyday terms. Others—such as Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus—are much better known and much more common. Though there are more than 80 autoimmune disorders, individually many of them occur infrequently. But grouped together, autoimmune diseases—caused when our body mistakes our own cells for foreign invaders such as viruses, germs and antigens and goes on the attack—impact 23.5 million Americans.
They are also the fourth leading cause of disability among women as well as one of the leading causes of death, particularly among young and middle-aged women.
“What many people don’t know is that typically 80 to 90 percent of people with autoimmune diseases like lupus are women,” says Jan Ferris, chief executive officer of the Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter. “And typically the diagnosis happens most often between the ages of 15 and 44 years old."

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Nutritional supplements

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• A good multivitamin multimineral makes sure the tissues have all the nutrients they need.  Many prople with MG find eating difficult so a good multi is essential. Minerals like manganese, the B and C vitamins ( Japanese prisoners in the war developed MG simply because of starvation of vitamins), 
• CoEnzyme Q10 is essential for energy transfer inside the cells and can be beneficial in people with muscle and other fatigue symptoms.  The dose needs to be at least 100mg per day of quality Q10. 
• Calcium and magnesium are essential for nerve and muscle function so a good intake, especially of magensium (500mg/day) seems wise.
• Vitamin D is becoming increasingly appreciated in patients with immune diseases.  peple with MG have lower vitamin D levels (click here) , thus it is wise for anyone with an immune disease especially MG to take plenty of vitamin D 8000 - 10,000iu daily. 
• Fish oils are helpful for nerve structure and function, and may be helpful, but make sure they are pure oils with no toxins or mercury.

What you can we do

• Exercise is a 2 edged sword, it can lead to exhaustion if overdone, but regular gentle exercise is beneficial forthe muscles and general welbeing.   Listen to your body
• Food - watch what you eat and see if anything consistently worsens the MG symptoms.  Milk and milk products may do this.   But if foods do not affect your symptoms, and you enjoy them, then by all means eat them, despite what some web site says. 
• Eat foods rich in potassium as this may help muscle function - bananas and fruits, fish and poultry. 
• Alcohol in moderation should not cause any problems, but if you feel worse dont, but never more tan a glass or two. 
• Coffee among other things has a mild anticholinesterase activity like Mestanon.  This could make you feel better and stronger, but could also increase some of the mestanon side effects (cramping and diarrhoea). Like most things it is trial and error with MG, if it helps and you like it have some coffee, if you feel worse stop.
• Avoid STATIN drugs - these can make the symptoms much worse

Tips For Dressing

If getting ready to face a new day wears you out, try these ideas:

• Choose an easy-to-manage hairstyle. Skip the blow-drying, if possible.
• Try an electric toothbrush.
• Avoid hot baths and hot showers.
• Sit to brush your teeth, blow dry your hair, or shave.
• Get ready in stages.
• Choose lightweight, comfortable shoes—ones that are easy to put on, and help you keep your balance.

Unless otherwise stated, the information provided here is of a general nature, composed by non-medical personnel. It is meant to be accurate and helpful advice for MG patients. It is not intended to be medical opinion, nor is it a substitute for personal professional medical car

Factors That Worsen MG

Some factors can make myasthenia worse:

Fatigue, insufficient sleep Stress, anxiety Illness Overexertion, repetitive motion Pain Sudden fear, extreme anger Depression Extreme temperatures (hot or cold weather, hot showers or baths, sunbathing, saunas, hot tubs) Humidity Sunlight or bright lights (affects eyes)

Hot foods or beverages (affects mouth and throat) Some medications, including beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and some antibiotics Alcoholic beverages Quinine or tonic water Low potassium levels or low thyroid levels Some chemicals, including some household cleaners, insecticides and pet flea sprays Exposure to chemical lawn treatments

MG

Helpful Tools

When your MG is active, these items might be helpful:

Getting Around

• A lightweight cane can offer support.
• Use a city shopping cart or wheeled luggage cart for shopping at the mall. You can use it to bring things to and from the car, also.
• A handicapped parking sticker, decal or license plate makes your walk shorter when doing errands.
• Use the shopping scooters available at the grocery store.
• Consider a chair lift if your stairs keep you from getting around the house independently.

In the Kitchen

• Electric appliances such as an electric can opener and electric mixer can conserve your energy.
• Put the things you need within easy reach. Avoid getting down on the floor or up on a ladder to get what you want.
• Choose the medium or small containers at the store. Avoid the discount sizes that are too heavy to lift.
• Lightweight plastic dishes and lightweight silverware are surprisingly helpful.

In the Bathroom

• Install secured grab bars in the shower and bath. Not sure where to put them? Area building codes might give you guidance.
• Use a plastic shower chair. Check second-hand resale stores to reduce costs.
• Try a flexible hose attachment for the shower head, so you can sit while washing.
• Use railings for the toilet. Some attach to the toilet itself and can be used temporarily.

For Yourself

• A properly-fitted removable cervical collar can support your neck, for instance when you write, use the computer, prepare dinner or pay bills.
• Tape up your eyelids. Your eye doctor may have light-adhesive tape that temporarily keeps your eyelids from drooping. Or try silk tape that’s used in hospitals.
• If your breathing is weak, your doctor may prescribe the use of a C-PAP (or Bi-PAP) machine. While you wear a mask, the C-PAP forces regulated puffs of air into your lungs, giving your breathing muscles a break. You can sleep with the C-PAP, and use it as needed throughout the day.

Unless otherwise stated, the information provided here is of a general nature, composed by non-medical personnel. It is meant to be accurate and helpful advice for MG patients. It is not intended to be medical opinion, nor is it a substitute for personal professional medical care.

Set Your Own Pace

Physical stress and emotional stress can worsen MG symptoms. With this in mind:

• Don’t rush. If you’re going to be late, what the heck? Be late.
• Learn to ask for help when you need it. Be direct and specific. ("I need a ride on Tuesday at 10 a.m." "Please don’t hold my arm; I’d rather hold onto you.")
• Get plenty of rest. You may need more sleep compared to pre-MG times.
• Build naps into your day without guilt.
• Rest your eyes regularly while reading or working on the computer.
• Learn what triggers your myasthenia. Can you avoid it? Can you rest before or after?
• Learn strategies to handle stress—for instance, special breathing or imaging techniques.
• Don’t give up the things you love—yet. If myasthenia gravis is forcing you to stop gardening, golfing, biking, or whatever—it may be temporary. For example, can you focus on several planters instead of a larger garden?
• And hey, tomorrow is another day.

Unless otherwise stated, the information provided here is of a general nature, composed by non-medical personnel. It is meant to be accurate and helpful advice for MG patients. It is not intended to be medical opinion, nor is it a substitute for personal professional medical care.

Outlook

Do you see a glass half full? Half empty? Or simply holding four ounces?

For the most part, MG won’t change your unique view of the world. Still, when you see life through the prism of illness, that view can be altered by your attitude. When facing illness, can you be positive? Can you feel hope, gratitude and humor? Sometimes we have to intentionally choose and practice a positive attitude.

A positive attitude helps you get through each day, manage your worries, and maintain relationships. With or without MG symptoms, it allows you to feel better mentally.

You can improve your positive thinking, even if it doesn’t come naturally. Try these steps:

• Practice. Can you think of something you appreciate right now?
• Put it in your daily schedule. Express something positive when you brush your teeth, at mealtime, or before you sleep.
• Hang out with optimistic people. If a group conversation turns petty or whiny, maybe it’s time to excuse yourself.
• Research. Try the library or a book store for books that discuss how to live with illness. To get started, read Hoping, Coping & Moping, Handling Life When Illness Makes It Tough by Ronna Jevne, Ph.D.

Purposefully insert positive thoughts and affirmations into your day.

Unless otherwise stated, the information provided here is of a general nature, composed by non-medical personnel. It is meant to be accurate and helpful advice for MG patients. It is not intended to be medical opinion, nor is it a substitute for personal professional medical care.

Supplemental Therapies

Myasthenia gravis can be fought with traditional medicine. But how else can you take a measure of control over your illness?

• Eat healthy. Good advice for everyone, right? Does your medication increase your appetite, or causes fluid retention, bone loss, or anemia? Ask your doctor if you should adjust your diet to ease medication side effects.
• Exercise. Naturally you have to tailor your activity to your illness. Consider yoga, chair exercise, isometrics, or taking a walk.
• Manage stress. Consult with your doctor and consider options such as acupuncture, biofeedback, meditation or massage therapy.
• Talk to others. Combat isolation by calling friends and family. Or contact a support group.
• Trust your spiritual side. For many, dealing with illness can be a conversation-starter with God.

Unless otherwise stated, the information provided here is of a general nature, composed by non-medical personnel. It is meant to be accurate and helpful advice for MG patients. It is not intended to be medical opinion, nor is it a substitute for personal professional medical care.

 

Depression

Many people who are diagnosed with a threatening medical condition can develop depression. Depression is very real and can be debilitating. It can keep you from reaching out for help when you need it most.

Symptoms may include a lack of joy, magnified sadness, feelings of emptiness or isolation, persistent pessimism, loss of interest in daily life, difficulty making decisions, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances – being unable to sleep or sleeping too much, gloominess or thoughts of suicide.

Because the mind and body are so closely connected, depression can make your myasthenia gravis worse. Working to overcome depression is essential to improve your overall health. If possible, seek help from a trusted, competent therapist.

Myasthenics face a catch-22: many antidepressant medications can worsen MG, or may not be effective. If you see a mental health professional, make sure that person knows your full medical history.

Unless otherwise stated, the information provided here is of a general nature, composed by non-medical personnel. It is meant to be accurate and helpful advice for MG patients. It is not intended to be medical opinion, nor is it a substitute for personal professional medical care.