The Autoimmune Epidemic Live Online Seminar Agenda
8:15 A.M.–8:30 A.M. CST Sign-in to classroom
8:30 A.M.–2:45 P.M. CST A short break will take place from 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM with a working lunch.
(full attendance required & ALL participants must complete a course evaluation).
TOPICS TO BE COVERED:
Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Autoimmune Disease
•What causes our immune system to go haywire?
•A look at common autoimmune disorders and current trends in case numbers.
•Are there common risk factors for autoimmune disorders?
Type 1 Diabetes
•What causes type 1 diabetes - virus?
•An update on preventive and regenerative therapies in diabetes mellitus.
•The role of inflammation in beta-cell apoptosis. Can beta-cell function be maintained and restored?
- Lipids versus glucose in inflammation and the pathogenesis of macrovascular disease in diabetes.
•Prevention and management of coronary artery disease in patients with diabetes mellitus.
• Current treatment/prevention options for microvascular disease: Nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy.
• Body mass index (BMI) and risk of type 1 diabetes - does obesity play a role in pathogenesis.
•Vitamin D: Important for prevention of type 1 diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and some cancers.
- Significant vitamin D deficiency in youths with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
•Dietary and exercise strategies for managing glucose and insulin levels.
•Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis. Distinguishing between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
•Biomarkers of inflammation and the development of rheumatoid arthritis in women.
•Cardiovascular co-morbidity in early rheumatoid arthritis.
•Pharmacological interventions for treatment and prevention of disease progression. DMARDs. Biologics.
- Statin therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: A cost-effectiveness and value-of-information analysis.
•New cell-based targets for treating autoimmune inflammatory diseases.
•Effectiveness of exercise therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Recommendations for an exercise prescription.
•Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis: How inflammation effects joint integrity?
•Dietary interventions for rheumatoid arthritis.
- Dietary omega-3 fats for treatment of inflammatory joint disease: Efficacy and utility.
- Vitamin E, vitamin D and antioxidants: What does the research tell us?
• Overview of the thyroid gland and its function.
•Distinguishing between hypo- and hyperthyroidism?
•A review of thyroid disorders related to inflammation.
•Autoimmune disruptions and thyroid disease. Grave’s disease. Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Strategies for Building Immunity
• Acute and chronic effects of exercise on markers of immune function.
•The effects of dietary fats on immunity.
•Type of carbohydrate and cell function: Do our diets effect our immune systems?
•Weight loss and improved immune function - what are the best dietary options?
Course Objectives
• Discuss the role of diet and exercise on immune function.
• Identify the different thyroid conditions related to alterations in immune function and inflammation.
• Discuss how rheumatoid arthritis increases the risk for cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.
• identify current treatments options for rheumatoid arthritis.
• List current drug therapies for the management of type 1 diabetes.
• Review the role of diet and exercise in the management of plasma glucose and insulin levels.