Did you know...

Did you know that autoimmune diseases are genetic? The following is information I cut and pasted from www.aarda.org.

4. Know that autoimmune diseases run in families. Current research points to a genetic component in autoimmune diseases. However, autoimmune diseases are not typical genetic diseases like, for instance, sickle cell anemia, where there is a specific gene mutation. With autoimmune diseases, multiple genes are involved that collectively increase vulnerability or susceptibility. Thus, what is inherited is not one specific gene but several genes that increase risk. As a result, autoimmune diseases tend to “cluster” in families - not as one particular disease, but as a general tendency to the autoimmune process and, consequently, different autoimmune diseases. For example, one family member may have autoimmune hepatitis; another, celiac disease; another, rheumatoid arthritis.
5. Do your own family medical history. Given the family connection, knowing the health histories of other family members is critical. For example, if your grandmother or father or sister or uncle has an autoimmune disease, you could be more susceptible to developing one yourself. Take an inventory of your family health problems, expanding your research beyond your immediate family to include grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives. Once you know your family history, share it with other family members and your doctor who can then assess the possibilities with a degree of accuracy and order appropriate tests.

This became somewhat of a conversation piece within the "Luebke" family over the past year as we found out that autoimmune diseases don't just effect you as you get older but can attack even the very young. We're positive. We are positive and full of faith and hope. GO TEAM LUEBKE.

I would encourage you to read more from the website, www.aarda.com and begin your family medical health history documentation. I'm not sure the best way to collect all the information but I am sure someone reading this has the answer to that question. Let me know your thoughts.
I just told Bill that putting a few great minds together we might be able to create a survey or guide to provide to family members to assist in collecting and then sharing the information with each other and their doctors. Once the bugs are worked out we can share it with others that have lives effected by autoimmune disease.
OK, that's enough for a Sunday afternoon. I was lead down this path this afternoon by a conversation I had at our church picnic. A friend told me about Dr. Weil and his "anti-inflammatory diet". The picnic got rained out around 2:00 PM and immediately upon walking in the door Jake asked if he could play on the computer. He loves the computer.
It took awhile (hours) for "my turn" but once I got my chance at the internet I found a lot of interesting stuff.
Have a great week.

Almost forgot my quote for the day:

"Faith can give us courage to face the uncertainties of the future." Martin Luther King Jr.

Take Care.
Kris