Women and Autoimmune Disease by Dr. Robert G. Lahita: a Book Review
One of the most amazing aspects of acquired immunity is that it knows the difference between our own substances and those that are foreign to our bodies. When this breaks down, our bodies can generate immune responses to our own products/tissues resulting in damage. Diseases in which this occurs are called autoimmune diseases or autoimmunity and include common ailments such as arthritis, diabetes and lupus. Autoimmune diseases are very complex and can be very debilitating. Dr. Lahita’s book makes the complexities of these diseases understandable to a non-medical non-scientist audience. And the result is a fascinating read.
I enjoyed even the basic immunology at the beginning of the book even though it contained no new information for me personally because the approach was so fresh that it showed me new ways to deliver this information to my students. I also found the second chapter on general autoimmunity very interesting. I enjoyed the clinical aspects of this book for reasons very different from why I liked the basic science. I found the author’s descriptions of clinical diagnosis fascinating as I should think anyone would who has even the remotest interest in medicine or a good detective story.
I think the title of this book is unfortunate in one aspect. You don’t have to be a woman to find it interesting. However, I think most men would agree that Dr. Lahita has earned a place in “guy heaven” by telling a primarily female audience that sex is good for their immune systems. You only have to be interested in women to be fascinated by this book. And that should basically include everyone. Chances are you know someone who has an autoimmune disease, even if you don’t realize it before reading this book. It is also true, as the author points out, that men get autoimmune diseases too.
Some of you may not want to read every chapter of this book. But I would recommend the first two chapters and the final chapter on alternative medicine to everyone. These chapters provide excellent information on the immune system and how to keep it healthy. They also tell, of course, how to improve your health if you do happen to have an autoimmune disease. In addition to chapters on your own favorite diseases, I recommend the chapters on autoimmune diseases that are common in the US, including rheumatoid arthritis, type I diabetes, lupus, and the thyroid abnormalities.
There are a number of books out there about immunity written by people who don’t know what they are talking about. Dr. Lahita knows it, lives it, and breathes it.