Dr. Richter and Dr. McManus specialize in the treatment of chronic and auto-immune conditions. 

Some of the most common conditions that we treat:

  • Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Celiac Disease
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosis
  • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Sjögren’s syndrome
  • Alopecia areata
  • Scleroderma
  • Temporal arteritis
  • Vasculitis
  • Auto-Immune Hepatitis
  • Eosiniphilic esophagitis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
  • Vitiligo
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Raynaud’s Phenomenon
  • Psoriatic Arthritis
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • and many more

What is an auto-immune condition?

An auto-immune condition is when the body does not recognize a specific tissue as self. The body thinks that it is foreign and the immune system begins to fight against it. This can happen to almost any type of tissue, skin, hair, nails, organs, glands or joints. The immune system will release antibodies to those specific tissues that will then go fight against them, attacking them and breaking them down. 

Why does an auto-immune condition develop? 

Currently scientists aren’t exactly sure of the cause of auto-immune conditions. There are some current theories however, such as genetics, stress, and overall health. 

Because the incidence of autoimmune diseases is rising, researchers suspect environmental factors like infections and exposure to chemicals or solvents might also be involved.
A “Western diet” is another suspected risk factor for developing an autoimmune disease. Eating high-fat, high-sugar, and highly processed foods is thought to be linked to inflammation, which might set off an immune response. However, this hasn’t been proven.
2015 study focused on another theory called the hygiene hypothesis. Because of vaccines and antiseptics, children today aren’t exposed to as many germs as they were in the past. The lack of exposure could make their immune system prone to overreact to harmless substances.
BOTTOM LINE: Researchers don’t know exactly what causes autoimmune diseases. Genetics, diet, infections, and exposure to chemicals might be involved.

https://www.healthline.com/health/autoimmune-disorders#common-autoimmune-diseases

What are common symptoms of auto-immune conditions?

Despite the varying types of autoimmune disease, many of them share similar symptoms. Common symptoms of autoimmune disease include:

  • Fatigue
  • Joint pain and swelling
  • Skin problems
  • Abdominal pain or digestive issues
  • Recurring fever
  • Swollen glands

​https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/what-are-common-symptoms-of-autoimmune-disease

How are these conditions treated?

While each condition may require some of it’s own special treatment, the underlying premise of reducing inflammation and calming the immune system, and helping other foundational factors of the body be as healthy as possible still apply to each condition. Factors such as:

  • Anti-Inflammatory Diet
  • Quality Sleep
  • Proper Hydration
  • Stress reduction and management
  • Nutrient Absorption
  • Reducing any Gastro-intestinal inflammation, treating dysbiosis, intestinal permeability, food sensitivities and healing the GI tract.
  • Treating any other underlying health conditions
  • Low Dose Naltrexone
  • Anti-inflammatory supplements

We will work with you to not only find the cause of what is going on through proper testing, but will also treat your condition in the least invasive way possible first so that you can be as healthy as possible.