The Impact of Toxins on the Immune System

The global population is constantly exposed to toxins – be it chemical, physical, or biological – which can have detrimental effects on the immune system and overall health. While the immune system is inherently capable of self-regulation following an immune response to toxin exposure, chronic exposure can strain it to the point of malfunction. This can lead to greater susceptibility to illness and infection, as well as a slower recovery process.

Impaired immune function resulting from the accumulation of toxins within the body can cause endocrine disruption and inflammatory dysregulation resulting in tangible but vague symptoms. A growing toxin burden among the population has heightened the risk of immunotoxicity, or adverse effects on local and systemic immune systems resulting from exposure to noxious substances, and sparked an increase in autoimmune illness prevalence.

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What Are The Most Common Gastrointestinal Disorders?

With symptoms ranging from fatigue to abdominal pain and discomfort, gastrointestinal disorders can present differently on a patient-by-patient basis, making these common conditions challenging to diagnose. An estimated 60-70 million Americans suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, in many cases unknowingly. Recent research published in Gastroenterology reports that over 40% of the global population has a functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) – which has significant adverse effects on quality of life and health care use.

According to data from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, GI disorders account for close to 50 million hospital visits and 21.7 million hospital admissions per year; they also lead to nearly 250,000 deaths annually. Furthermore, the treatment and management of gastrointestinal disorders give rise to $141.8 billion in U.S. healthcare expenditure, signaling an urgent need for increased awareness and clinical interventions.

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The Difficulties of Diagnosing Lupus 

Despite increased awareness and improved diagnostic methods, the time interval between initial symptom presentation and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosis remains long. As a chronic disease with no known cure, systemic lupus erythematosus, also referred to as lupus, requires appropriate treatment interventions to manage symptoms, prevent flare-ups, and decrease the risk of adverse health consequences. Well-established as difficult to diagnose, the condition often presents with symptoms that can be mistaken for other diseases. As a result, delays in diagnosis, care, and treatment can last up to several years, leaving many patients with unwanted symptoms but no official diagnosis.

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