Current evidence implicates the momentous alterations in our foods, xenobiotics, air pollution, infections, personal lifestyles, stress, and climate change as causes for these increases.
More and more people around the world are suffering because their immune systems can no longer tell the difference between healthy cells and invading micro-organisms. Disease defences that once protected them are instead attacking their tissue and organs.
The best guess that current research literature has is that an estimated 4 percent of the world's population has at least one autoimmune disease. In the United States, that number may be closer to 8 percent [1]—and those rates aren't static. Experts say they've been increasing for decades [2,3,4].
Children today are exposed to less dirt, less germs, and more hand sanitizer. In developed countries where children are exposed to less infections and less bacteria, there are higher rates of allergies and autoimmune diseases.
GlobalData epidemiology analysis of two common autoimmune diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome, found that the US and UK have higher prevalence rates than other countries.
Women develop many types of autoimmune diseases much more often than men. And if you have one autoimmune disease, you are more likely to get another.
A 2014 study established that diet can potentially aggravate autoimmune disease, given that some food can modulate autoimmune responses. Recent reports linked the “Western Diet” composed of foods rich in fats, salt, and sugar to the rapid increase of autoimmune diseases worldwide.
Psychological stress is reported to be a risk factor for autoimmune diseases, including Graves' disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Different types of stress and the length of time that stress is present might also affect the presentation of inflammatory autoimmune disease.
Asherson's syndrome is an extremely rare autoimmune disorder characterized by the development, over a period of hours, days or weeks, of rapidly progressive blood clots affecting multiple organ systems of the body.
There is a clear link to emotional causes of autoimmune diseases. The way our brains change and our body responds to trauma set off a cascade within our bodies which lead to illness. Because knowing this gives us power, we can work to release those fears, understand those traumas and reintegrate our experiences.
The full picture of post-COVID-19 autoimmune diseases and their prevalence is lacking despite numerous case reports and small series. Two studies that use large cohorts now highlight that SARS-CoV-2 infection is linked to a substantially increased risk of developing a diverse spectrum of new-onset autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmunity in COVID-19 and Long COVID
Chang et al. reported that approximately 50% of subjects hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 positivity had autoantibodies linked with various RDs such as myositis and systemic sclerosis [32].
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.
This mineral is important for supporting immune function and heart health. A magnesium deficiency may cause increased production of inflammatory chemicals in the body, raising your inflammation contributing to autoimmunity.
Antioxidant foods: Berries, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, cruciferous vegetables (kale, cabbage, etc.), beans, tomatoes and beets. Omega-3 fatty acids: Olive oil, fish oil, flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts or soybeans.
Abstain from Eggs
Eggs can allow proteins (usually lysozyme, from the egg white) to cross the gut barrier where they don't belong and contribute to molecular mimicry. This is when antibodies form against not just foreign protein but also the normal protein in your body, as if it too is foreign.
Bad diet rich in saturated fats, sugar, and salt, smoking and drinking alcohol, too much or not enough physical exercise, bad hygiene (especially not washing your hands well), stress and lack of having fun and relaxation have a negative impact on our immune system.
Some of the foods to avoid that are known to affect the immune system in people with autoimmune diseases include: Nightshade vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants. Grains like wheat, rice, oats, rye, barley, and foods made from grains such as breakfast cereals, bread, pasta.
Thyroiditis is when your thyroid gland becomes irritated. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common type of this health problem. It is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when your body makes antibodies that attack the cells in your thyroid.
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.