NYC’s Leading Integrative Health Care Center
NYC’s Leading Integrative Health Care Center
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. At Patients Medical in NYC, we offer a comprehensive approach to managing autoimmune conditions, combining conventional medicine with holistic therapies. Led by Dr. Rashmi Gulati, our team provides personalized care to help you manage symptoms, reduce inflammation, and improve your quality of life. Whether you’re dealing with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, or other autoimmune disorders, our integrative treatment plans are designed to address the root causes and support your body’s healing processes.
Autoimmune diseases encompass over 100 conditions where the immune system attacks healthy cells, mistaking them for harmful invaders. Common autoimmune diseases include:
Your treatment begins with a thorough consultation to understand your health history, lifestyle habits, and current symptoms. Our experienced medical team listens closely to your concerns, reviews past medical records, and evaluates risk factors. This personalized approach helps us identify potential autoimmune triggers and sets the foundation for a targeted and effective treatment strategy that’s tailored specifically to your needs and long-term wellness goals
We utilize advanced diagnostic testing to identify autoimmune activity, inflammation levels, and nutritional imbalances. This includes blood work, antibody panels, food sensitivity tests, and other labs that reveal underlying imbalances in your immune and metabolic systems. These results are essential for crafting a precise, data-driven plan that targets root causes rather than just masking symptoms—helping us deliver truly personalized integrative care.
Based on your test results and consultation, we create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your condition and lifestyle. This may include IV vitamin therapy to correct deficiencies, anti-inflammatory nutrition, gut healing protocols, and herbal or pharmaceutical interventions to modulate the immune response. Our goal is to restore balance, reduce inflammation, and improve your quality of life with therapies grounded in both science and holistic wellness.
Your progress is monitored through regular follow-up visits and updated lab tests. These appointments allow us to evaluate how well your body is responding to treatment, make timely adjustments, and ensure the therapies remain effective and safe. This continuous support and personalization are key to managing autoimmune conditions, preventing flare-ups, and helping you regain control of your health over time.
In addition to medical treatments, we provide comprehensive lifestyle coaching to support your healing. This includes guidance on anti-inflammatory diets, stress reduction techniques, sleep optimization, and safe exercise routines. Addressing lifestyle factors is essential in autoimmune recovery, as it helps reduce triggers, support immune balance, and promote long-term remission. You’ll receive the tools and education needed to take an active role in your own wellness journey.
Emily, a 40-year-old woman, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, experiencing joint pain and fatigue. After undergoing a comprehensive evaluation at Patients Medical, she began a personalized treatment plan that included functional medicine, nutritional counseling, and acupuncture. Within months, Emily reported significant improvements in her symptoms and overall well-being.
“The team at Patients Medical provided me with the tools and support I needed to regain control of my health. I feel more energized and empowered than ever.” – Emily
Medical Director of Patients Medical
A holistic pain management physician
Consult Dr. Emine Cosar, MD. For Gynecology
Yes, type 1 diabetes is considered an autoimmune disease. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas is unable to produce insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.
In people with type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas (known as beta cells), leading to a complete lack of insulin production. The exact cause of this immune response is not well understood, but genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role.
Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in children and young adults and requires daily management through insulin injections or the use of an insulin pump. It’s important for people with type 1 diabetes to closely monitor their blood sugar levels, manage their diet, and get regular physical activity in order to prevent complications and maintain good health.
Type 2 diabetes is a different condition that results from a combination of insulin resistance and decreased insulin production. Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes is not considered an autoimmune disease, although the exact causes are not well understood. The treatment and management of type 2 diabetes is often different from that of type 1 diabetes, and may include lifestyle changes, medications, and insulin therapy in some cases.
Yes, hypothyroidism can be caused by an autoimmune disease. One of the most common autoimmune causes of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a condition in which the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland, leading to an inability to produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormones. This can result in a range of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin, and depression.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is more common in women than in men, and the risk of developing the condition increases with age. Other autoimmune diseases, such as celiac disease and type 1 diabetes, are also more common in people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is usually made through a combination of blood tests (to measure levels of thyroid hormones and antibodies), a physical examination, and possibly a biopsy of the thyroid gland. Treatment typically involves taking a daily dose of synthetic thyroid hormone (levothyroxine) to replace the hormones the body is no longer producing, and monitoring levels of hormones and antibodies to ensure the proper dose is being taken.
In some cases, people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may also need to make changes to their diet and lifestyle to manage symptoms and prevent further damage to the thyroid gland. With proper treatment and management, many people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are able to effectively manage their condition and maintain good health.
The specific foods to avoid autoimmune disease can vary depending on the specific condition and individual. However, there are some common dietary changes that people with autoimmune diseases may benefit from, including:
It is important to note that the impact of these foods on an individual’s autoimmune condition can vary, and that a well-rounded, balanced diet is generally recommended. Consulting with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian can help individuals with autoimmune diseases determine the best dietary approach for their specific needs.
When it comes to treating autoimmune diseases, functional medicine practitioners often take the following steps:
It’s important to note that functional medicine is not a replacement for conventional medical care, and that individuals with autoimmune diseases should work with both a conventional doctor and a functional medicine practitioner to develop the best treatment plan for their needs.
There are several dietary supplements that may help to manage symptoms of autoimmune diseases and support overall health. Some of the most commonly used supplements for autoimmune conditions include:
It’s important to speak with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen, as some supplements can interact with medications or have side effects. Additionally, individual needs may vary and it’s best to work with a healthcare professional to determine the best supplement regimen for your specific needs and autoimmune condition.
Although the exact cause of eczema is not fully understood, it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as a family history of allergies and exposure to irritants, that trigger the immune system.
In people with eczema, the skin barrier is weakened, allowing irritants and allergens to penetrate the skin more easily and triggering an immune response that leads to inflammation. However, eczema is not considered a classic autoimmune disease because it does not involve the production of autoantibodies or the destruction of the body’s own tissues by the immune system.
Instead, eczema is classified as a type of inflammatory skin condition. Treatment for eczema typically involves a combination of moisturizing the skin, avoiding irritants and allergens, and using topical medications, such as corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors, to reduce inflammation and relieve itching. In severe cases, oral medications or phototherapy may also be used to help manage eczema symptoms.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and tenderness in the muscles and soft tissues. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not well understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors.
While the symptoms of fibromyalgia are like those of many autoimmune diseases, the condition is not considered a classic autoimmune disease. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. In contrast, the underlying mechanisms of fibromyalgia appear to involve changes in the way the central nervous system processes pain signals, rather than an immune system attack on the body’s tissues.
There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but treatments are available to help manage symptoms. These may include medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes, such as exercise, stress management, and a healthy diet. It is important for people with fibromyalgia to work closely with their healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment approach and monitor their condition over time. With the right care and management, many people with fibromyalgia are able to effectively manage their symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.
Yes, psoriasis is considered an autoimmune disease. It is a chronic skin condition that results in the rapid buildup of skin cells, leading to patches of thick, red, scaly skin.
In people with psoriasis, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells as if they were harmful invaders, leading to an excessive production of skin cells and an accumulation of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. This immune system response is thought to be driven by a type of white blood cell called a T-cell.
While the exact cause of psoriasis is not known, genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role in its development. There is no cure for psoriasis, but a range of treatments are available to help manage symptoms and reduce the impact of the condition on a person’s quality of life. These may include topical medications, light therapy, and systemic medications that target the immune system.
It’s important for people with psoriasis to work closely with their healthcare provider to develop an effective treatment plan that takes into account the severity of their condition, as well as any other health conditions or factors that may influence their treatment options. With the right care and management, many people with psoriasis are able to effectively manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
No, asthma is not considered an autoimmune disease. Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Asthma is thought to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors that cause the immune system to react to triggers, such as allergens, pollutants, and infections, leading to inflammation and narrowing of the airways.
While the exact mechanisms underlying asthma are not well understood, it is not considered to be an autoimmune disease in the classic sense, as the immune system is not attacking the body’s own tissues. Instead, the immune response in asthma is directed towards perceived triggers in the environment.
Treatment for asthma typically involves managing symptoms and reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks, through a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and avoiding triggers. It is important for people with asthma to work closely with their healthcare provider to develop a personalized treatment plan and monitor their condition over time. With the right care and management, many people with asthma are able to effectively manage their symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.
Yes, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered an autoimmune disease. RA is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the joints, causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and eventual joint damage.
In people with RA, the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints and surrounding tissues, leading to inflammation and damage. This immune system response is thought to be driven by a type of white blood cell called a T-cell.
There is no cure for RA, but a range of treatments are available to help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. These may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologic drugs, and corticosteroids.
It is important for people with RA to work closely with their healthcare provider to develop an effective treatment plan that considers the severity of their condition, as well as any other health conditions or factors that may influence their treatment options. With the right care and management, many people with RA can effectively manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Patients Medical specializes in gently helping the patient identify the root cause of their medical issues and then assist them to recover from their problems to help them move forward to good health.
To schedule an in person on Tele-medicine appointment, please call our office at (212) 794-8800 or email us at info@PatientsMedical.com We look forward to hearing from you
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