 
Managing 
Autoimmune 
Diseases Naturally


Disclaimer:
This eBook was written by (your name). I 
am not a doctor or mental health 
professional and cannot be held liable for 
the information written here. 
This book is meant to provide information 
that helps to manage symptoms associated 
with autoimmune disorders. 
It is not intended to provide medical advice. 
Do not use it as an alternative to seeking 
help from a medical or mental health 
professional.

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Lifestyle Changes for Autoimmune Diseases	5
Improve Diet and Nutrition	6
Avoid the Sun and Excessive Heat 	7
Listen to Your Body 	8
Keep Track of Symptoms and Flare-Ups	8
Chapter Two: Diet Options for Alleviating Autoimmune Diseases 	10
The Gluten-Free Diet 	11
The Vegan Diet	12
The Low FODMAP Diet 	13
The Autoimmune Protocol Diet	15
Chapter Three: Healing Herbs for Autoimmune Diseases 	16
Chang Shan 	17
Turmeric	17
Ginger	18
Green Tea 	18
White Tea	18
Hops	19
Artemisia 	19
Reishi Mushrooms	19
Stinging Nettle	19
Chinese Thunder God	20
Sarsaparilla	20
 Rehmannia	20
Chapter Four: Pain Management for Autoimmune Diseases 	21
Over-the-Counter Medications 	22
Diet and Nutrition	23
Exercise and Fitness	23
New Habits and Lifestyle Changes 	23
Alternative Treatments	24
Combining Multiple Resources	24
Pain Management Strategy	24

Introduction

Autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn’s, Hashimoto’s, lupus, and Celiac disease can 
have a large impact on your life. When you suffer from one of these diseases, it causes 
chronic pain, fatigue, constant flare-ups, diet restrictions, and mental issues in many 
cases as well.
Any time you are dealing with chronic pain, it is important to use a combination of 
medical and natural remedies to help manage the symptoms. Like many diseases, there 
isn’t a cure for autoimmune disease, but there are many ways to manage and reduce 
the symptoms.  

Why Go Natural?
The information you will read in this eBook are not 100% natural, but they are going to 
provide some alternative options when it comes to reducing flare-ups, avoiding triggers 
for those flare-ups, and just feeling better overall.
They include a combination of options like diet, fitness, healing herbs, and everyday 
lifestyle changes you can make. 
Going natural is not something you will do to replace your medical treatments, but 
instead enhance your quality of life. You are merely adding to the medical treatments 
your doctor has prescribed for your autoimmune disease.
Keep reading if you want to learn how you can start managing some of your 
autoimmune disease symptoms naturally.


Chapter 1 - Lifestyle 
Changes for Autoimmune 
Diseases


Autoimmune diseases are life-changing and require cooperation from those who have 
been diagnosed. Autoimmune diseases cause the body's own immune system to attack 
itself, leading to a wide range of ailments and illnesses. 

Some of the most notorious autoimmune diseases include Lupus, Hashimoto's, AIDs, 
and even Rheumatoid Arthritis. Most patients diagnosed with an autoimmune disease 
often suffer from additional autoimmune diseases, as they tend to work together to 
actively destroy the body. 

While cures are not always available for autoimmune diseases, there are a few lifestyle 
changes that help to drastically improve the quality of life for those who struggle with a 
variety of diagnoses. 
 
 
1. Improve Diet and Nutrition  
 
The first thing to discuss in terms of changing your lifestyle to help manage the 
symptoms of an autoimmune disease is with your diet. This might not be what you want 
to hear, but it is very important in order to be successful.

In the next chapter, we will cover more specific diets you can try, but first here is some 
general information.

Why Diet?

Diet and nutrition are extremely important for those suffering from an autoimmune 
disease. Foods that are high in carbohydrates and refined sugar help to feed 
inflammation and trigger pain throughout the joints and muscles of the body. If you are 
eating a standard diet with a lot of bread, rice, pasta, baked goods, and other sources of 
sugar and carbs, it is only making your symptoms worse.

Diet Options for Autoimmune Diseases 
 
Some of the most popular ways of eating for those with autoimmune diseases include 
the Paleo and Ketogenic diets. While Paleo allows for whole grains and foods, the 
ketogenic lifestyle requires an increase in your fat intake, prompting the system to work 
using ketones from the brain rather than relying on glucose. The ketogenic has had wild 
success within the autoimmune community as it helps to regulate the body's functions 
while decreasing pain, memory loss, brain fog, and inflammation. 

More Dietary Recommendations 
 
Avoid sugary drinks such as soda or juice and instead, opt for naturally-flavored water. 
Increase your water intake to keep your body flushing toxins. Steer clear of eating out or 
stopping at fast food joints unless you are familiar with the ingredients used in your 
chosen meal. 

Prep your meals at home at least one day each week to eliminate cravings and feeling 
tempted to fall back into previous eating habits which led to negative side effects with 
your autoimmune disease.  
 
When you have an autoimmune disease, speak to your doctor about a diet that is best 
for you based on your condition and whether or not you have struggled with kidney 
disease or insulin resistance in the past. One of the best ways to avoid inflammation, 
brain fog, and the inability to live without pain is to move towards a low-carb way of 
eating.  
 
 
2. Avoid the Sun and Excessive Heat  
 
Moving on from diet is ways to protect your skin and overall health. Autoimmune 
diseases are often triggered by exposure to the sun and excessive heat. When an 
individual with an autoimmune disease spends an afternoon in the hot heat and sun, 
they are much more likely to experience a "flare", or a crisis within the body triggered by 
the autoimmune disease itself.  
 
Flare-ups last anywhere from a few days to more than a month, and are entirely 
unpredictable. Flare-ups also trigger a wide range of symptoms and attack various parts 
of the body ranging from the eyes and brain to the heart, lungs, and kidneys. Protect 
yourself by spending time outdoors only once the sun has gone down or in cooler 
weather, where there is less risk of experiencing a flare.  
 
 
Wear Sunproof Clothing and Use High-Quality Sunscreen  
 
It is not always easy for a patient with autoimmune diseases to spend all of their time 
indoors feeling cooped up. When you want to go outdoors or spend some time in the 
sun with family and friends, invest in sunproof clothing that is specifically designed for 
those with autoimmune afflictions.  
 
Purchase a sunhat and invest in sunscreen that is high-quality and meant for those who 
have serious reactions to the sun. It is also important to limit your time in the sun and to 
retreat to shade or an indoor area if you begin to experience fatigue, respiratory issues, 
or feelings of nausea. 

These small changes can protect your skin from the sun, and hopefully keep some of 
those uncomfortable and often painful flare-ups from occurring. 
 
 


3. Listen to Your Body  
 
Listening to your body is one of the most important lifestyle changes autoimmune 
patients need to make in order to better their overall quality of life. When you feel tired, 
tend to your body and take rests and naps as needed. If you are struggling with 
inflammation and pain, rest and evaluate your eating habits or the possible causes of 
your symptoms. 

Seek out specialists ranging from endocrinologists and dermatologists to nephrologists, 
rheumatologists, and neurologists to build a support group of physicians who 
understand your diagnosis.  
 
Autoimmune patients have a weakened immune system which requires additional 
attention that is not always necessary for individuals living with a healthy body. If you 
are unable to attend an event, explain your situation and find comfort in friends and 
family members who are caring and truly understand your health issues. 
 
 
4. Keep Track of Symptoms and Flare-Ups  
 
If you have been suffering from an autoimmune disease for a while, this will probably 
not be a big surprise for you. But it is imperative that you understand your own 
symptoms and triggers for flare-ups. 


What is a Trigger?

You already know what a flare-up is – it is when your symptoms return, whether that is 
redness and acne on your face, joint pain, fatigue, or other forms of chronic pain. You 
might experience some of these at all times, but with a flare-up, they tend to worsen and 
are often more difficult to manage. 

The trigger is what caused the flare-up. Depending on your body and type of 
autoimmune disease, this could be the aforementioned sun exposure, or something 
wrong with your gut that then causes other symptoms to flare up.

Foods are often causes of flare-ups as well, with these being the most common trigger 
foods:

Chocolate 
Gluten 
Nightshade vegetables 
Dairy (if you have an allergy) 
 


How to Track Your Symptoms

Keep track of symptoms and flare-ups you experience by using a journal or an online 
blog. Track your diet with a daily food log and write other physical activities or outings 
you partake in to determine what is most likely triggering flares. Because autoimmune 
impacts all individuals differently, it is essential to know how your body responds to 
outside environments and lifestyle changes. 

What to Track – You should be as meticulous as you can with your tracking journal. 
For each entry, write the date and time, including when the symptoms started and when 
they were relieved (if at all). You also want to track what you think the trigger could have 
been, such as eating a certain type of food, and what symptoms you ended up with.
 
 
5. Find Support Groups  
 
When you are first diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, it feels daunting and 
overwhelming. Friends and family are unlikely to understand and have a difficult time 
empathizing with how you feel each day. Reach out to both local and online support 
groups to meet others who struggle with autoimmune diseases to feel less alone and 
less isolated from those in your life.  
 
While it often takes time to share how you are feeling with close friends and loved ones, 
those who are truly there for you will take the time to learn more about your situation. 
Share research papers, blogs, and useful tidbits to others on your social media to bring 
awareness to your cause and to help spread the word of how autoimmune impacts daily 
life.  
 
It is never easy living with an autoimmune disease, especially due to the lack of 
research and awareness of autoimmune throughout the world. While autoimmune 
patients are not likely to ever feel 100% healthy again, the right lifestyle changes and 
adequate support provides a positive outlook and the ability to maintain control over 
most aspects of your life.













Chapter 2 - Diet Options 
for Alleviating 
Autoimmune Diseases


When you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks your body, which 
can cause a long list of problems. Many people with autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s 
or Celiac disease experience physical discomfort, pain anywhere from a scale of 1-10, 
fatigue, joint and muscle soreness, nausea and vomiting, and so much more.
While autoimmune diseases do not have a cure, they are treatable in most cases. This 
often requires finding the right treatment protocol for you and the type of disease you 
are suffering from. 

Changing Your Diet 

Aside from medical intervention, like medications prescribed for pain and managing 
other symptoms, diet is often the first recommendation you will get. This is because diet 
has a very high probability of causing flare-ups, where your symptoms return or get 
worse.
Trigger foods might vary based on the type of autoimmune disease, but many are 
common, like dairy, gluten, and nightshade vegetables.
Certain foods can trigger greater pain or discomfort while other foods seem to have the 
opposite effect. Determining which is which can be one of the toughest parts of your all-
important self-care plan. 

You might not want to change your diet, but if you are looking for a natural way to 
manage your autoimmune disease, this really is a great place to start. 

Let us break down just a few the diet options available to lessen the symptoms of an 
autoimmune disease. 
 
 
1. The Gluten-Free Diet 
 
Over the past decade, the Gluten-Free diet trend has skyrocketed in popularity. Thanks 
to celebrity endorsement, Gluten-Free alternatives line the shelves of even the smallest 
grocery stores. Celiac patients are not the only ones that can benefit from going Gluten-
Free. 

Going gluten-free will be mandatory if you have Celiac disease, but even other 
autoimmune diseases also find that foods with gluten can trigger painful flare-ups, so it 
might be a good idea to at least remove gluten from your diet for a little experiment.



Looking for a Gluten Sensitivity

To determine whether you have a non-Celiac gluten sensitivity, you will need to give up 
all gluten for about thirty days and then reintroduce it gradually. It is important to pay 
attention to how you feel throughout this process. If you have a gluten sensitivity you will 
feel worse when you reintroduce gluten to your diet. 

If this is the case, studies recommend that you give up gluten altogether because 
continuing to consume gluten with a non-Celiac gluten sensitivity may irritate or awaken 
autoimmune diseases within your body. This area of nutritional science is being actively 
explored so it may be beneficial to keep up with the latest research as you determine 
which diet is most likely to benefit your autoimmune condition.  


Types of Foods with Gluten

This can be a big change in the beginning, because so many of your normal food 
staples will contain gluten. You probably know a lot of the main culprits, including wheat, 
rye, barley, couscous, and many other grains and starches.

However, you also have to be careful for packaged and processed foods, baked goods, 
and snacks like chips and crackers. Many of these will have gluten as well. Even dips, 
sauces, and salad dressings often have traces of gluten. To be successful, you will 
need to read your food labels and do research before cutting out all gluten.
 
 
2. The Vegan Diet 
 
Another diet that can help some autoimmune disease sufferers is a vegan, plant-based 
diet. There is a little controversy over switching to a plant-based diet, so this is really 
base don personal preference. Like a gluten-free diet, you can try it for a few weeks and 
track your symptoms to see if it helpful or not.

There are some things to think about in terms of nutrition, ensuring you get enough 
nutrients like protein and iron. In order to follow a vegan diet, you will need to get rid of 
all animal products in your diet. Not only does this include meat, poultry, fish, and dairy, 
but also bone broth, beef or chicken broth, eggs, and any foods with dairy added to it. 

 
 
Tips for Following a Vegan Diet the Right Way

A well-balanced plant-based diet has protein from grains, legumes, and leafy 
vegetables; fat from beans, vegetable oil, and nuts, and carbohydrates from potatoes, 
carrots, and most other plants. You really want to make sure each meal and snack is 
properly balanced – don’t just load up on fruit all day, as they are filled with sugars.

It is okay to have some packaged vegan food, but don’t rely solely on that. Use this as 
an opportunity to eat more whole, fresh foods.

Beyond that, a plant-based diet also contains a wealth of micronutrients like calcium, 
beta-carotene, and vitamin C. At the very least, veganism increases your chances of 
getting all your essential vitamins from your diet alone. 

A well-nourished body will be more capable of responding to inflammation and external 
stressors. 
 
 
3. The Low FODMAP Diet 
 
Next, let's look at the Low FODMAP diet. FODMAP stands for Fermentable 
Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols. These are 
components of food that cause gastrointestinal distress and bloating because they are 
difficult to break down. While this diet is aimed primarily at reducing gastrointestinal pain 
it has been shown to be beneficial for a wide variety of diseases.  


Why Does the Low FODMAP Diet Work?

Much like the Gluten-Free diet, the FODMAP diet is designed to be a kind of diagnostic 
tool as well as a symptom-relief tool. You begin by giving up all high FODMAP foods 
like Garlic, Onions, Broccoli, and Cauliflower for about thirty days. 

Then you slowly reintroduce these foods back into your diet one by one. Pay attention 
to how you feel during the elimination period and as you reintroduce individual foods, 
this will tell you which foods are your trigger foods and which are safe.  
 
 
High FODMAP Foods to Avoid

Here is a closer look at the types of foods you will eliminate from your diet while tracking 
symptoms to see if it helps. Typical high FODMAP foods include:

Garlic 
Onions 
Cauliflower 
Bananas 
Mushrooms 
Pears 
Peaches 
Apples 
Sausage 
Most Grains 
Most Condiments 
Most Dairy 


Low FODMAP Foods to Enjoy

Don’t get intimidated yet! There are also plenty of foods you already enjoy that you can 
keep on eating while on the low FODMAP diet. Here are some examples:

Nut milk 
Coconut milk 
Some cheese – cheddar, brie, goat, swiss, parmesan, cottage (limited quantities) 
Most herbs and spices (no garlic or onion) 
Oatmeal 
Wheat-free bread 
Most fish and seafood 
Most meat and poultry 
Pineapple 
Grapes 
Blueberries 
Lettuce 
Potato 
Tomato

These food lists are very short in comparison to all the foods you can have on a low 
FODMAP diet. Be sure to research and meal plan!


 
 
4. The Autoimmune Protocol (or AIP) Diet
  
Last is the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet. This is definitely one of the most popular 
options as far as changing your diet to help manage your autoimmune disease. 


About the AIP Diet

The autoimmune protocol diet combines some of the ideas of the diets listed above with 
the popular diet called “Paleo.” The ultimate idea is to heal the gut by providing it with 
digestible and anti-inflammatory foods. Followers of this diet believe that many, if not all, 
autoimmune diseases are tied to intestinal permeability which allows food to leak out of 
the gastrointestinal system and into the rest of the body.

 
This is said to cause an autoimmune reaction resulting in inflammation and discomfort. 
Like FODMAP, the AIP diet advises complete elimination of all possible trigger foods for 
the first few weeks. Without the gastric distress of difficult-to-digest foods, your gut 
should begin to heal itself. After that point, you can begin to reintroduce foods with the 
hopes of discovering what your trigger foods are.  
 
 
Tips for Those Not Ready to Make a Major Dietary Change:  

 
Use Turmeric. This spice is a popular ingredient in many Indian food dishes but you 
can also buy it in capsule form from your nearest health food store. Studies have shown 
that turmeric can help prevent inflammatory responses by limiting the production of 
inflammatory proteins.  
 
Quit Drinking. You probably already know that a night of drinking will make you feel 
terrible due to its diuretic nature and complete lack of nutritional value. What you may 
not know is that alcoholism greatly increases your risk for infection and increases your 
body’s inflammatory responses. This may be why both the AIP and the FODMAP diet 
advise strongly against alcohol consumption.  
 
Reduce or Eliminate Caffeine. While its effects are not yet thoroughly understood, 
caffeine consumption does seem to increase the risk of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis 
and Type 1 Diabetes. As you may have noticed, caffeine also irritates your bladder and 
gastrointestinal system. Reducing your intake to decaffeinated or even half caffeinated 
coffee may help you feel better all around. 


Chapter 3 - Healing Herbs 
for Autoimmune Disorders



As you probably know by now, autoimmune disorders are disorders where the body's 
own immune system attacks it. There are quite a few different types of autoimmune 
disorders, with Celiac, Hashimoto’s, and Crohn’s being the most recognizable. Though 
there are over a dozen diseases you could have.

Most autoimmune diseases attack specific systems in the body. For example, 
Hashimoto's disease attacks the thyroid, while type 1 diabetes attacks and destroys the 
cells in the pancreas that create insulin. 

There are not cures for autoimmune diseases, but you can manage your symptoms and 
try to keep the flare-ups to a minimum. This is done with lifestyle changes like diet and 
exercise, proper pain management, and even natural remedies like herbs.

Here are some of the healing herbs that people have reported positive results with after 
using them along with other treatments for autoimmune diseases. 
 
 
1. Chang Shan 
 
This is a root herb collected from a type of hydrangea tree. It has been used in China for 
hundreds of years mostly to combat malaria and other febrile conditions. Scientists have 
only recently found out how the herb works. It targets an anti-immune cell called Th17, 
which controls autoimmune responses. 

These types of responses play a role in autoimmune disorders such as multiple 
sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and eczema. The drug that has been derived from chang 
shan is interesting to researchers because it does not suppress the entire immune 
system the way other autoimmune drugs do. It can also be taken orally and does not 
need to be injected like other drugs. 

Since it is not a widely-known herb, you might have to see an herbalist to get this one, 
or purchase it online. However, it has had really positive results.
 
 
2. Turmeric 
 
Now for a much more common herb, we have turmeric. You have probably seen this 
used not just by autoimmune disease sufferers, but everyone, as it has an exorbitant 
amount of health benefits.

This bright, orange-yellow spice is used in cooking and in making curries. Native to 
southern Asia, the rhizome of the plant is used. Rich in an anti-inflammatory compound 
called curcumin, turmeric helps with auto-immune diseases by inhibiting the action of 
interleukins, which are chemicals made by the white blood cells that control the body's 
immune response. 

Turmeric also inhibits NFkB, or nuclear factor kappa beta. NFkB is a group of proteins 
that control cytokines, which are chemicals released by the cells in the immune system. 
Interleukin is a type of cytokine.  


How to Use Turmeric

The great thing about turmeric is that it is really easy to use. You can make a tea called 
“golden milk” with your turmeric and some cream, or you can add it to anything from 
food or hot beverages. There are a lot of options available.
 
 
3. Ginger 
 
One of the oldest and most popular of the spices, the rhizome of this plant is also used. 
It's a circulatory stimulant that contain enzymes that inhibit inflammation and pain 
caused by chemical such as prostaglandins. 

Like turmeric, you probably already know all the ways to use ginger in your diet to help 
with your autoimmune diseases. This can be added to a tea or other beverage, cooked 
with, or you can even get ginger capsules if you want to go that route.
 
 
4. Green Tea 
 
Now for something that is much easier to use – green tea. With green tea, you can just 
buy the tea leaves or packets, brew a cup, and enjoy the benefits. 


Why Green Tea?

This tea is made of the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. Unlike black teas, the 
leaves of green tea are not allowed to ferment but are lightly steamed before they're 
allowed to dry. Green tea is famous for its healing properties and inhibits interleukin-1. It 
also has anti-allergy properties and helps alleviate eczema symptoms. 


5. White Tea 
 
If you aren’t a fan of green tea, you can also get similar benefits with a cup of white tea. 

White tea is made from the buds and leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. They are 
simply allowed to wither in the sunlight then lightly processed to prevent oxidation. 
Some nutritionists claim that drinking a cup of white tea every day reduces the risk 
of rheumatoid arthritis. 
 
 
6. Hops 
 
Famous for giving flavor to beer, hops comes from a twining, perennial vine that can 
grow up to 30 feet long. Hops contain a chemical called bitter lupulin, or hop meal which 
comes as a yellow powder. Hops has been shown to inhibit Cox-1 and Cox-2 which are 
prostaglandins. 

They do this as well as ibuprofen, a popular NSAID that can have side effects if taken 
over a long period of time. When hops are taken with rosmarinic acid, the combination 
has been shown to ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. 
 
 
7. Artemisia 
 
Artemisia has been used for centuries to treat systemic lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. It 
eases other inflammatory conditions and gets one of its names, wormwood, for its ability 
to expel parasites. It is called qinghao in China. 

This is another herb that might be easier to find from a local herbalist or natural health 
food store, as opposed to the more traditional herbs like ginger and turmeric, which are 
everywhere.
 
 
8. Reishi Mushroom 
 
The reishi mushroom is one of several mushrooms used to treat auto-immune 
disorders. It is a woody mushroom that is found growing in bracts on dying trees. The 
interesting thing about reishi mushrooms is that they can both stimulate and inhibit 
aspects of the patient's immune system. 

This is shown in their ability to stimulate the creation of white blood cells and to 
suppress antibodies that can cause autoimmune diseases. They also regulate 
inflammatory cytokine if taken over a period of months. This has been shown to ease 
the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. 
 
 
9. Stinging Nettle 
 
Though it is true that handling the raw plant should be done with gloves on, the stings 
go away when the plant is cooked. However, people who complained of arthritis used to 
rub the raw plant over their painful joints and experience pain relief. 

Nettle can also be taken as a tea, tincture or capsules. It seems to modulate NFkB and 
the inflammatory substances released by certain white blood cells, which are part of the 
immune system. This action by stinging nettle has been seen to ease the pain of 
rheumatoid arthritis. 
 
 
10. Chinese Thunder God
  
The botanical name of this herb is Tripterygium wilfordii, and it has been used in China 
for two millennia to ease the pain of such autoimmune disease as rheumatoid arthritis 
and ankylosing spondylitis. It is also used to ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis. 

It has immunosuppressant chemicals such as glycosides and blocks the action of COX-
2, cytokines and NFkB. However, the herb does bring side effects such as reproductive 
problems, rashes, loss of appetite and dry mouth, so it needs to be prescribed with 
care. 
 
 
11. Sarsaparilla 
 
The root and the root bark of this plant are used in healing. The root is used as 
capsules, extra, tea and root beer. Both bark and root bark can be applied on the skin 
as essential oils. Sarsaparilla root is a natural steroid and precursor of progesterone 
and both have anti-inflammatory properties that ease the symptom of arthritis. 

They also contain chemicals called saponins, which take up toxins in the gut, and 
remove them from the body. These toxins have been seen to be related to such 
autoimmune diseases as the psoriasis of rheumatoid arthritis. 
 
 
12. Rehmannia 
 
This is another plant whose root is used in healing. It is a Chinese herb whose 
traditional name is Shu Di Huang or Shen. Like reishi mushroom, it both stimulates and 
suppresses aspects of the immune system. However, unlike drugs used to treat 
autoimmune diseases, rehmannia doesn't suppress the immune system to the point 
where the patient is at risk for other diseases. 

It is always best used in a formula that rebalances levels of Th1 and Th2. These are 
types of white blood cells called T cells that produce interleukin and other chemicals 
associated with the immune system. Autoimmune conditions often have an imbalance 
of these substances.



Chapter 4 - Pain 
Management for 
Autoimmune Diseases


Managing an autoimmune disease that may be causing chronic or severe pain is often a 
challenging undertaking. From basic resources like over the counter (OTC) medications 
or workout routines to advanced medical and surgical procedures, there are plenty of 
resources that could make real difference. The right pain-management strategy can 
help to improve both comfort and quality of life. 
 
 
1. Over-the-Counter Medications  
 
While there are many natural ways to help manage your autoimmune disease pain, it is 
worth nothing that there are some medications to help. You should always talk to your 
doctor about these options, even if you are trying to add more natural remedies to your 
pain management plan.

Pain killers that can be purchased without a prescription can often be an important 
resource for those who are struggling to manage the frequent pain and long-term 
discomfort caused by autoimmune diseases and other medical conditions. Most of 
these medications fall into a category known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 
(NSAID) and are generally known to produce little to no side effects. 

Although typically safe for general use, those who are interested in incorporating 
NSAIDs and other OTC medications into their pain-management strategy should first 
consult a doctor. Finding the best medications, fine-tuning the dosage and ensuring that 
OTC drugs are being taken safely are never concerns that should go overlooked. 

Speaking with a doctor before taking an OTC medication can be especially important for 
patients who suffer from drug allergies and those who may be taking other medications 
which cannot be safely combined.  
 
 
Prescription Drugs  
 
While OTC drugs like NSAIDs can often be very effective at reducing pain to a more 
manageable level, there are several autoimmune diseases which may call for stronger 
medications. Prescription-strength drugs are typically far more powerful than OTC 
medications, but these drugs require the approval of a doctor. 

There are many different categories of prescription-strength pain killers as well as other 
classes of drugs that may be able to reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms 
and general discomfort. 

Many prescription pain management medications can be habit forming, especially when 
taken regularly, and patients would be wise to work closely with their doctor or 
healthcare provider to ensure all drugs are taken safely and effectively. 
 
 
2. Diet and Nutrition  
 
Medication alone is not the only way for patients to manage their symptoms. Making 
dietary changes and learning how to create healthy eating habits can go a long way 
towards improving comfort. 

Diets that promote increased intake of fruits, vegetables and those that minimize dairy, 
red meat and processed foods that could create problems for those suffering from an 
autoimmune disorder can be a very effective tool for managing pain. 

Speaking with a doctor or consulting with a nutritionist or other healthcare provider 
regarding any dietary changes that may be of benefit can allow patients to learn a great 
deal. 

You may also want to try some specific diet plans for a short period of time, record your 
symptoms, and see if you noticed any changes. Some of these diet plans include:

Autoimmune protocol (AIP) 
Gluten-free 
Low FODMAP
 
 
3. Exercise and Fitness  
 
You may think that because of your autoimmune disease, you won’t get a lot of 
exercise, but the opposite is actually true. Staying fit and active is another way that 
sufferers may be able to minimize flare-ups and ensure that their other efforts to 
manage and reduce pain are able to be as effective as possible. 

Regular exercise can help to alleviate the inflammation which causes pain and the right 
workout routine can even allow suffers to train their body's natural pain response in 
order to further minimize discomfort. 

Yoga, swimming and other low-impact workout options can often be ideally suited to 
those who have medical conditions which may limit range of motion or leave sufferers 
unable to engage in certain types of activities. 

You of course should always listen to your body and not overdo it. If you are having a 
day with a lot of pain and fatigue, take it easy. But focus more on physical activity when 
you are having a good day. 
 
4. New Habits and Lifestyle Changes  
 
While proper diet and regular exercise are both essential to good health, there are other 
lifestyle changes that could have a positive impact on symptoms and comfort levels. 
Good sleeping habits can go a long way towards improving comfort, boosting energy 
levels and ensuring that efforts to reduce pain and manage symptoms are met with 
greater success. 

Even making an effort to drink more water can be of potential benefit, especially for 
conditions and medical issues which may be complicated by inadequate hydration. 
Finding ways to reduce and manage stress levels in order to promote greater relaxation 
can also be helpful. 
 
 
5. Alternative Treatments  
 
There are numerous care providers who may be able to offer a range of services to 
assist those who suffer from an autoimmune disorder. Chiropractic care can often make 
a real difference for those who suffer from arthritis or related conditions and treatment 
options like acupuncture could greatly improve the level of comfort that sufferers will be 
able to enjoy. 

While there are no treatments, alternative or otherwise, that can cure autoimmune 
disorders, regular visits to a masseuse or herbal remedies could end up being valuable 
tools for those who are seeking to create and implement a more effective pain-
management strategy. 
 
 
6. Combining Multiple Resources  
 
Pain management is an ongoing effort that may require patients to seek out and utilize 
many different resources. Finding the right combination of treatment options and 
lifestyle changes can help to amplify the effectiveness of all efforts and ensure that 
those who suffer from severe or chronic pain are able to enjoy a greater measure of 
relief. 

A NSAID regiment combined with dietary improvements could prove to be far more 
effective than either resource would be on their own. 

Patients and those who suffer from severe pain who come to rely too heavily on a single 
resource or a narrow range of options for improving their level of comfort could end up 
missing out on quite a lot. 
 
 
7. Formulating the Right Pain Management Strategy  
 
Every patient has different needs and medications and treatment options that may be of 
benefit for some autoimmune disorders may do little to alleviate the pain and discomfort 
of others. 

Formulating a pain-management strategy that has been tailored to specific needs of 
each patient should be looked upon as an ongoing effort, one that may need to draw 
upon a wide range of resources, options and treatment efforts in order to produce 
results. A little experimentation is often a critical component and patients should be 
prepared to fine-tune their efforts over time. 

From seeking out the care and treatment options of the right doctor or medical 
professional to the simple lifestyle changes that may be needed in order to improve 
comfort and make flare-ups and symptoms more easy to manage, creating and 
implementing the right strategy is always a concern which should be given top priority.




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