Finding Relief: Autoimmune diseases respond to alternative approachesBy CATHY BREITENBUCHER and JUDY STEININGER May 2008 in Greater Milwaukee Today Conventional therapies treat symptoms such as pain, inflammation and diarrhea, according to Dr. Neil E. Farber, an associate professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin. "Alternative therapies look at it as a lack of balance in the immune system and try to balance that, whether it's through acupuncture, herbs, homeopathic approaches, or certain diets and foods," Farber explains. His patient care emphases include alternative medicine and, as someone diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis himself - most likely an autoimmune disease - he has a strong interest in the topic. "I don't think conventional medicine is that far off from a lot of alternative or complementary medicine now," says Farber. Specifically, including antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids in one's diet, taking primrose oil supplements, getting acupuncture treatments or reducing stress all may be recommended by traditional-approach doctors. Genetic factors account for only about one-third of autoimmune cases, notes Farber, adding to the puzzling nature of autoimmune diseases. "In conventional therapy, they're looking at not just symptomatic treatment, but the research is in how do we balance the immune disorder," he adds. Some patients turn to supplements and herbal products, and Farber urges them to inform their doctor to avoid harmful interactions. He serves as director of pediatric anesthesiology at the Medical College, and helped decide which herbal products would be allowed for use at Children's Hospital. "A lot of these things have not been proven safe or effective in children," he notes. In addition, Farber says people should avoid buying from a Web site, and don't buy products with multiple ingredients. "The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) doesn't regulate nutritional supplements, so they can put anything they want on the label and in the bottle," he warns. |