Autoimmune Disease

What is Autoimmune Disease?

An autoimmune disease is a condition that attacks the body's immune system (responsible for defending against bacteria and viruses). The body's immune system senses the presence of these foreign invaders and sends out an army of fighter cells to attack them. The body's immune system can distinguish foreign cells from the body's cells.

In the case of an autoimmune disease, the immune system releases autoantibodies (proteins) that attack healthy cells. Certain types of autoimmune diseases target only one organ. For instance, Type 1 diabetes affects the pancreas, while another type of autoimmune disorder, such as lupus, can affect the whole body.

Stages and Types of Autoimmune Disease

There are over 80 autoimmune diseases. The most common ones are listed below:

Type 1 Diabetes: The immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas producing significant damage to the blood vessels and organs such as the eyes, heart, nerves, and kidneys.

Psoriasis/Psoriatic Arthritis: Skin cells in the body grow and then shed after some time. In the case of Psoriasis, the skin cells multiply at a faster pace. Accumulating these leads to symptoms such as red patches, inflamed skin, silver-white scales of plaque, etc.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Joints within the body are attacked by the immune system leading to symptoms such as soreness, redness, stiffness, and warmth in the joints. The condition may attack an individual in their 30s or sooner.

Multiple Sclerosis: Multiple sclerosis (MS) tends to damage the myelin sheath (the protective coating surrounding nerve cells in the central nervous system), slowing down the transmission speed of messages between the brain and spinal cord to and from the rest of the body. The condition results in difficulty walking, numbness, balance issues, and weakness.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The condition causes inflammation in the lining of the intestinal wall.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): Medical experts described lupus as a skin disease due to developing a rash as a symptom. However, the condition affects other organs such as the heart, joints, brain, kidneys, and heart.

Crohn's Disease: Can inflame any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis affects only the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum.

Graves' Disease: The condition attacks the thyroid gland in the neck, leading to excess production of thyroid hormones responsible for controlling body energy usage (metabolism). Excess amounts of these hormones increase body activity, leading to nervousness, weight loss, a fast heartbeat, and heat intolerance.

Addison's Disease: The condition affects the adrenal glands that produce cortisol, aldosterone, and androgen hormones. Less cortisol affects the body's ability to use and store carbohydrates and sugar (glucose)—deficiency of aldosterone results in loss of sodium and an excess amount of potassium in the bloodstream.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: In Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid hormone production slows to a deficiency. Symptoms include weight gain, sensitivity to colds, fatigue, hair loss, and thyroid swelling (goiter).

Sjögren's Syndrome: The condition attacks glands responsible for lubricating the mouth and eyes, resulting in dry eyes and dry mouth. In some cases, the condition may also affect the joints or skin.

Pernicious Anemia: The condition leads to a protein deficiency produced by stomach lining cells. This protein is required for the small intestine to absorb vitamin B12 from food. A deficiency of vitamin D can result in anemia and alter the ability of the body to synthesize DNA properly.

Celiac Disease: Individuals with celiac are unable to have a diet with foods containing gluten as the immune system attacks gluten once it enters the small intestine, causing inflammation. Gluten sensitivity can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Myasthenia Gravis: It affects nerve impulses that assist the brain in controlling the muscles. Impairment of communication from nerves to muscles can interrupt the ability of signals to instruct muscles to contract. The condition leads to symptoms such as muscle weakness, primarily muscles controlling eye movements, swallowing, eyelid opening, and facial movements.

Autoimmune Vasculitis: The condition develops when the immune system attacks blood vessels and causes inflammation and narrowing of the arteries and veins. This restricts the flow of blood through them.

Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease

Individuals with lupus may experience a wide range of symptoms. However, these may range and differ from one individual to other. These symptoms are slow to develop, and severity may change over time. Here is a list of some of the most common symptoms of lupus:

• Muscle pain
• Joint pain
• Rashes
• Fever
• Hair loss
• Fatigue
• Sensitivity to sunlight
• Stomach pain
• Shortness of breath
• Mouth sores
• Swollen glands
• Dry eyes
• Chest pain
• Depression
• Headaches
• Blood clots
• Confusion
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Conditions of the lungs, kidneys, or heart
• Seizures
• Anemia

Risk Factors of Diabetes

Although it is not easy to suggest the exact risk factors of an autoimmune disease, some conditions and situations may increase one's vulnerability to developing the condition. According to medical professionals, one may be predisposed at birth. In other cases, autoimmune disorder may be something that cannot be controlled, such as EBV infections common in over 90% of the population.

Here are some of the major risk factors of autoimmune disease:

Gender: About 78% of individuals affected by autoimmune disease are female. Factors differing between genders, such as hormonal changes, an additional X chromosome, organ vulnerability, reproductive function, immune responses, and effects of environmental agents, are known to contribute to the higher autoimmune disease prevalence in females.

Genetics: Lupus and multiple sclerosis runs in families. Hence, if you have family members with autoimmune disease, you are at higher risk of developing a condition.

Having an Autoimmune Disorder: Those who have already developed an autoimmune disease are at higher risk of developing more.

Obesity: Excess body weight is associated with autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. Fat (adipose tissue) in the body is associated with numerous physiological functions, such as immune system response and metabolism. Obesity sends the body into a chronic low-grade inflammation affecting a healthy immune response.

Smoking/Exposure to Toxic Agents: According to studies, smoking is linked to autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Exposure to other toxins like ultraviolet radiation, air pollutants, organic solvents, or crystalline silica can also trigger multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease.

Medications: Individuals who take medications daily to manage cholesterol levels, depression, blood pressure, anxiety, or balance can suffer from potential side effects. Sometimes, the side effects may affect immune system function while triggering autoimmune reactions.

Infections: Early exposure to some infections can make one more prone to autoimmune disease. For instance, Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), a mild illness in childhood, turns dormant and is associated with conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Infectious Microorganism: Autoimmune disorder may be triggered by bacteria referred to as 'Group A Streptococcus' and cause conditions related to joint, heart, and brain, including rheumatic heart disease and acute rheumatic fever.

Causes of Autoimmune Disease

Although the main cause of autoimmune disease is unknown, certain factors are known to increase one's vulnerability to the disorder. These include:

• Infections
• Medications such as antibiotics, blood pressure, and statins
• Obesity
• Having relatives with autoimmune diseases
• Being female
• Smoking
• Exposure to toxins

Prevention of Autoimmune Disease

Presently, there is little research and evidence about medications, lifestyles, and practices that can prevent autoimmune disorder. However, many health professionals suggest reducing stress and maintaining healthy dietary changes to ensure a better functioning immune system.

Some studies have reported that the likelihood of autoimmune disease is based on the weakened ability of the body's immune system to handle stress. Hence, managing stress may play a key role in preventing autoimmune disease before it develops.

Here are some lifestyle and dietary changes you can adopt to maintain a healthy immune system and prevent developing an autoimmune disorder:

No Inflammatory Foods: Cut out flour and sugar from the diet.

No Gluten: Get rid of gluten from your diet, as it triggers autoimmune diseases and even causes a leaky gut.

Add Healthy Fats: These are anti-inflammatory foods. Ensure you increase your intake of foods rich in Omega-3 fats, such as flax seeds, cold water fish, walnuts, chia seeds, and hemp seeds.

Love Rainbow: Add colors to your diet. Include a variety of non-starchy vegetables and berries (loaded with phytonutrients) in your daily dietary routine.

Deal with Allergies: Check for hidden food allergens with food sensitivity testing.

Nightshades: Intake of nightshades (such as tomato, eggplant, peppers, etc.) should be restricted to reduce the potential for an autoimmune reaction.

Add Supplements: Take supplements under a doctor's guidance to help boost vitamin C levels, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, vitamin D, zinc, probiotics, curcumin, and antioxidants. These elements are known to play a key role in soothing an overactive immune system.

Physical Activity: Exercise is known to be a natural anti-inflammatory. Hence, you should move your body regularly.

Fight Infections: You must check on hidden infections such as Lyme, yeast, bacteria, and viruses. These indicate hidden autoimmune disorder.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Diagnosis and Treatment