An autoimmune disease is a condition where your immune system attacks your own body.
The immune system usually guards our bodies against dangerous viruses and bacteria. When we come into contact with these intruders, our body mounts an immune response. Our immune system can usually tell the difference between an intruder (bacteria or virus) and our own cells. When we have an autoimmune disease, our immune system mistakes a part of our body, such as our thyroid or joints, as a foreign invader. Proteins called autoantibodies are released which attack our otherwise healthy cells. Sometimes only one organ is affected which is the case with hypothyroidism or the whole body can be affected in diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Why does our immune system attack our own bodies?
We don’t know exactly what causes our immune system to attack healthy tissue. The common denominator in all autoimmune diseases is chronic inflammation. This inflammation can occur because of infections (microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria), toxin exposure (like mold heavy metals or drugs), chronic stress, poor digestive health, and diet or a combination of several factors.
Who is at risk for developing autoimmune disease?
The answer is that anyone can be diagnosed with autoimmunity. It is estimated that women are diagnosed almost twice as often as men. Some ethnic groups are at higher risk of developing certain autoimmune conditions. Other autoimmune diseases run in families so if a person in your family has an autoimmune disease, you are sometimes more likely to develop one.
The NIH estimates that 23.5 million Americans have one or more autoimmune diseases. That means that more than 7% of the population is affected. Approximately 80% of those are women. A person who is diagnosed with one Autoimmune Disease is more likely to be diagnosed with another and potentially several more.
The incidence of autoimmune diseases is rising and it is thought that the typical “Western Diet” or “SAD” (Standard American Diet) is partly to blame. Eating a high sugar, processed diet is thought to cause inflammation in the body which could trigger an immune reaction. Research is still being done in this area.
There are more than 70 identified autoimmune diseases. Some of the most commonly diagnosed conditions include Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis), Celiac Disease, Vitiligo, Eczema, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Type 1 Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Psoriasis/Psoriatic Arthritis, Lupus, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Graves’ Disease, Pernicious Anemia, and Myasthenia Gravis.
What are the symptoms of Autoimmune Disease?
Early symptoms of these diseases may include fatigue, brain fog or difficulty concentrating, body aches, low-grade fever, hair loss, skin rashes or itching, tingling, and numbness in the feet or hands. Some people may also experience weight loss, feeling thirsty, dry eyes, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhea.
How are Autoimmune Diseases diagnosed?
There are blood tests that can signal the likelihood of a person having an Autoimmune Disease. These include checking for antibodies which would show that the immune system is fighting against tissues within the body.
Can Autoimmune Disease be treated?
Yes. Treatments are often aimed at reducing symptoms by decreasing inflammation and relieving pain and fatigue. Functional Integrative Medicine treats Autoimmune Diseases by looking for the root cause of the disorder, correcting that imbalance, and bringing relief and healing to the patient. Our practice has successfully treated hundreds of patients with Autoimmune Diseases. By treating the causative factors, you can slow down your disease progression and, in many cases, reverse the damage that’s been done.
Heather Slusher, APRN, FNP-BC, is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with more than 30 years of experience in Family Practice, Women’s Health, and Anti-Aging Medicine. She is the founder and C0-owner of SunCoast Optimal Wellness in the MiraBay Shopping Plaza. Her passion is providing customized healthcare to help each person live their best life!
Information contained herein is based on medical research and data and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any concerns you have regarding your medical conditions.
