Guest Author - Jim Lowrance

I read this great book about two years ago (2006) after purchasing a copy from a Hastings book store. The book is entitled “Living Well With Autoimmune Disease” and contains over 540 pages of invaluable information on all aspects of autoimmune diseases. In this book, Author - Mary Shomon addresses every type of disease caused by autoimmunity (immune system dysfunction), involving the thyroid gland (endocrine), multi-organs, skin and hair, joints and muscles, neuromuscular, gastrointestinal and those that are autoimmune related, namely Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFIDS) and Fibromyalgia.

I wanted to suggest this book in review, to my readers because “thyroid autoimmunity is the most common cause of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism and because having one autoimmune disease, increases the risk for development of others. I personally have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the autoimmune disease that causes hypothyroidism.
(Join a forum discussion on the book>> Forum Link)

The book gives us a better understanding of the immune system and what can go wrong within this bodily mechanism that is designed to protect us from harmful cells that would invade our bodies, causing disease and illness. Mary presents clear description and explanation for this process of autoimmune disease, in which the immune system turns on normal tissues and organs in the body, creating “antibodies” (auto-antibodies) to attack them. This misdirected immune response causes damage and inflammation in the part of the body they may attack. These natural killer immune cells, that are designed to prevent diseases by destroying unnatural invading cells (germs, bacteria, allergens), instead cause autoimmune diseases by attacking the body. I thoroughly enjoyed and learned a great deal from the explanations for this process, explained in the book.

She goes on to write about natural and alternative treatments for autoimmune diseases, in addition to the medical treatments that are used to treat them. She also makes a strong case for the positive effects of lifestyle changes and positive attitude, mind and body practices that assist these treatments in helping patients to live well with their autoimmune disease.

When I completed the book, I gave it to a friend of mine who is a registered nurse but who also suffers from Lupus. The book is an essential read in my opinion for all patients who suffer any type of autoimmune disease. I also believe it can serve as a valuable resource for doctors who might incorporate some of the treatment suggestions into their practice, since many of them can be highly complimentary to medical therapies.

The About.Com Thyroid Disease website>> Mary Shomon’s Site