Research continues to demonstrate connections between bacterial infections that typically inhabit the GI tract, and conditions outside of the GI tract that are seemingly unrelated.1 One such relationship is the connection between the very common bacterial infection H. Pylori and autoimmune conditions.1
What if you have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, or any other autoimmune disease, and your doctor tells you that there is nothing that can be done, prescribes you predniosone, and/or a powerful immune suppressant and says come back for regular checkups…are you satisfied with that answer? Maybe you are, but perhaps you haven’t thought of your problem in this light…why do you have an autoimmune condition in the first place? Why is your immune system attacking your own tissue? If you haven’t asked these questions you should, and if your doctor doesn’t know the answer, that’s okay, they are doing the very best for you that they know how. What you need to understand, is that there is new research available that is showing very strong connections between autoimmune conditions and several other factors (bacterial infections, viral infections, unstable blood sugar, poor adrenal health, parasites, heavy metal toxicity, undiagnosed food allergies, hormone imbalances, etc.).1 The H. Pylori and autoimmune condition link is one of many relationships that are now becoming more clear.
If you want to help your body heal, and dampen your autoimmune condition, you have to identify what is causing your immune system to be flared up, and remove the antigen, kill the bug or support your body. It is that simple, but you have to identify the problem first, then you can work on the treatment.
I hope this post has given you more information and hope, so that you are empowered to take back control of your health. Dr. Shook works with patients around the world suffering with chronic health conditions. If you would like more information, or would like to see if Dr. Shook thinks you would benefit from functional medicine or functional endocrinology, you can reach him at DrShook@FunctionalEndocrinologyAssociates.com.
Dear Dr. Shook,
This is really amazing to see this incredible article on something I’ve suspected for the last 2 1/2 years.
I had surgery on my thumb and it got infected and the doctor refused to treat my infection. Told me to “go home and put some neosporine on it “. The infection in my thumb got worse and still remains swelled to this day. Also within a few months of my surgery my right shoulder swelled up incredibly and is extremely painful most of the time. Also just below my shoulder is a constant red mark that does not hurt but itches occassional. My left wrist also swelled up and my left knee. The pain is constant and the swelling is sometimes very extreme. I’ve been tested for RA but have come up negative, been tested for Gout but come up negative. I believe that I concocted a bacterial infection from the infected thumb that is in my bloodstream and my gastrointestinal tract. Nobody seems to be able to help me… it is very debilitating and I hope maybe you would have some suggestions. Thank you in advance for any suggestions and help… you are so much appreciated!