The August/September
1999 issue of The Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients (TLfDP) explores
alternative and complementary therapies for treating lupus, scleroderma,
and other autoimmune diseases. Once uncommon, the incidence of systemic
lupus erythematosus (SLE) has increased 4-to-15 fold over the last 60
years. Common symptoms include
a butterfly-shaped skin rash across the cheeks and nose, anemia, joint
inflammation, kidney inflammation, abnormal antibodies in the blood, and
noticeable fatigue. SLE tends to flare up, then go into remission. SLE-related
complications often lead to death. Scleroderma is characterized by doughy
swellings in the skin that gradually merge and harden, making the skin
hard and tight. Mucous membranes may also become involved. These autoimmune
diseases are usually managed with corticosteroids, especially
prednisone. Unfortunately, high
doses of cortisone lead to numerous adverse effects including premature
osteoporosis.
Because of the limited
effectiveness and safety of current treatment, Jonathan Collin, M.D., founding
editor of TLfDP, decided to devote an issue to alternative treatments for
autoimmune illness. Dr. Collin, a practicing physician, was one of 25 physicians
who participated in the formation of the Office of Alternative Medicine
within the National Institutes of Health in 1992.
TLfDP, based in Port
Townsend, Washington, has been an open forum for the exploration of alternative
medical therapies since its beginning as an 8-page newsletter in 1983.
As interest in complementary and alternative medicine has grown, so has
the magazine. Today, TLfDP averages over 120 pages in each of its 10 issues
per year. Alan Gaby, M.D.; Melvyn Werbach, M.D.; Anna MacIntosh, Ph.D.,
N.D.; and Kerry Bone, FNIMH, FNHAA are among the regular columnists. Many
of the articles are written by practitioners, who share data and observation
regarding their experience with various techniques or proprietary formulations.
Usually, these observations and conclusions have not been verified by an
independent source. TLfDP is not a scientific journal, though many of its
articles are based on current, accepted scientific medical knowledge. Rather,
it encourages exploration and dialogue about the many healing modalities
that presently are ignored by conventional Western medicine.
The current issue includes
an excerpt from the new book The Challenges of Lupus, Insights & Hope
by Henrietta Aladjem, who was diagnosed with lupus in 1953. Articles and
abstracts from a diverse range of practitioners look at the use of nutritional
supplements, diet, herbs, exercise, acupressure, chelation therapy, sauna,
and spiritual or meditation practice in the treatment of lupus and other
autoimmune diseases. Various risk factors are also discussed.
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