On a basic level, autoimmune disease occurs because the body's natural defenses — the immune system — attack the body's own healthy tissue. Researchers have several ideas about why this happens. When the body senses danger from a virus or infection, the immune system kicks into gear and attacks it.
No one is sure what causes autoimmune diseases. In most cases, a combination of factors is probably at work, such as: Genes, which may make you more likely to develop the disease. Environment, such as a virus that triggers the disease if you have the gene(s).
No one is sure why autoimmune diseases happen. But you can't catch them from other people. Autoimmune diseases do tend to run in families, which means that certain genes may make some people more likely to develop a problem.
Genes can contribute to autoimmune disease, but other factors also come into play. An autoimmune disease (AID) is a health condition where your body's immune system attacks its own cells and tissues. And though we don't know exactly what causes AID, we do know that genetics and family history play a role.
BOTTOM LINE: Researchers don't know exactly what causes autoimmune diseases. Genetics, diet, infections, and exposure to chemicals might be involved.
Autoimmune disorders in general cannot be cured, but the condition can be controlled in many cases. Historically, treatments include: anti-inflammatory drugs – to reduce inflammation and pain. corticosteroids – to reduce inflammation.
Autoimmune disease happens when the body's natural defense system can't tell the difference between your own cells and foreign cells, causing the body to mistakenly attack normal cells.
Physical and psychological stress has been implicated in the development of autoimmune disease, since numerous animal and human studies demonstrated the effect of sundry stressors on immune function.
Autoimmune disease occurs most often in young women. Incidences of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis peak at approxi- mately age 20, with a 3:1 (female-to-male) preference [1,2]. Incidences of type 1 autoimmune diabetes [3] and autoimmune skin diseases, such as vitiligo, peak at young age [4].
Genetics
If you have relatives with autoimmune disease, then you are more likely to develop a condition yourself (though not necessarily the same one). Having a genetic predisposition towards autoimmunity means that your risk is higher due to an inherited genetic variation – one that may impact immune response (5).
Autoimmune diseases can affect many types of tissues and nearly any organ in your body. They may cause a variety of symptoms including pain, tiredness (fatigue), rashes, nausea, headaches, dizziness and more. Specific symptoms depend on the exact disease.
Your first symptoms of an autoimmune disease may be general, such as fatigue, low-grade fever, and difficulty concentrating, making autoimmune diseases difficult to diagnose at first. You also may feel depressed and consult a doctor for that.
Some ideas to start with are meditation, yoga, tai chi, gentle walks, keeping a journal or starting a new hobby. There is no guaranteed way to prevent an autoimmune disease from developing. But, by taking small steps to support your immune system, you can reduce your risk of autoimmunity.
Use nutrients such as fish oil, vitamin C, vitamin D, and probiotics to help calm your immune response naturally. Exercise regularly — it's a natural anti-inflammatory. Practice deep relaxation like yoga, deep breathing, biofeedback, or massage, because stress worsens the immune response.
In fact, if an autoimmune disorder is left untreated, it can lead to more serious complications and even death. The person will also run a higher risk of infections.
A healthy immune system defends the body against disease and infection. But if the immune system malfunctions, it mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissues, and organs. Called autoimmune disease, these attacks can affect any part of the body, weakening bodily function and even turning life-threatening.
Foods such as red meat, dairy, pastry, and beverages containing caffeine and alcohol trigger systemic inflammation, aggravating the autoimmune disease. If you are struggling with this condition, check out the most common foods that worsen autoimmune diseases so you can avoid them altogether.
Analysis of cultures from nearby lymph nodes, liver, and spleen revealed the presence of a bacterium called Enterococcus gallinarum. When germ-free mice were colonized by E. gallinarum, the bacteria disrupted the gut barrier, moved into the lymph nodes and liver, and triggered an autoimmune response.
They can be a variety of things, including gluten, soy, dairy, corn, nightshades, grains, legumes, coffee, and/or eggs. Work with a functional medicine doctor to find out what diet is best for you. Environmental toxins: Mold and other environmental toxins can both induce AI disease and trigger AI flares.
Choose Calming Foods
Fruits and vegetables (aim for a broad rainbow of colors to get the most antioxidant variety), fish and fish oil, olive oil, ground flaxseeds, and spices like ginger, rosemary, basil and turmeric can all have a quieting effect on an overactive immune system.
Most autoimmune disorders are not fatal. People can live full lives with a typical life expectancy. Your potential lifespan and your quality of life will depend, though, on getting the right kind of medical care. Many of these disorders can be managed with medication that alleviates symptoms.
Autoimmune diseases arise from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers that disrupt the immune system's ability to ignore a person's own tissue and cells. In rare cases, an autoimmune disease is monogenic, caused by mutations in a single gene.