What is Autoimmune Disease?

What is Autoimmune Disease? Types, Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatment

Autoimmune disorders are health issues that occur when your immune system attacks your body rather than protecting it. Typically, your immune system functions as your body's natural protection system. It automatically detects substances that should not be in your body (such as viruses, bacteria, or toxins) and sends out white blood cells to destroy them before they can cause harm or illness.

If you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system functions abnormally. It becomes overactive and attacks and damages the healthy tissues, leading to various health issues. In fact, the immune system is unable to distinguish between invaders and normal cells.

Keep reading to learn about the types of autoimmune diseases, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options.

What are the Various Types of Autoimmune Diseases?

Currently, over 100 distinct autoimmune disorders have been recognized. They can affect almost every tissue or organ in the body, depending on where the immune system fails, including:

• Joints
• Muscles
• Blood vessels
• Skin
• Digestive system
• Endocrine system
• Nervous system

What are Autoimmune Disease Symptoms?

Autoimmune diseases can cause a wide range of symptoms, often affecting nearly any part of the body. Here is a detailed overview:

• Some conditions may lead to muscle weakness, while others impact specific organs or systems. For example, rheumatoid arthritis typically results in joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
• Type 1 diabetes affects blood sugar regulation, causing elevated glucose levels.
• Certain autoimmune disorders may also impair vision, reflecting the diverse and sometimes unpredictable nature of these conditions.

Frequently, autoimmune diseases bring about inflammation, which may involve:

• A sensation of being warm or hot
• Changes in the skin’s color, such as redness
• Swelling
• Pain

It’s common for the symptoms of many autoimmune diseases to appear and then disappear. When symptoms are greater and more noticeable, physicians describe it as a flare or an attack.

In case you feel that your symptoms come back from time to time, let your provider know, especially if some actions, routines, or diet changes seem to improve or worsen your symptoms.

What are the Risk Factors of Autoimmune Diseases?

Experts have found that there are some factors (triggers) that could lead to an increased risk of autoimmune diseases. Below are some examples of probable triggers:

• Viral infections include COVID-19 and the Epstein-Barr virus.
• Your sex. Women are more likely to suffer from autoimmune diseases.
• Being related to someone who has an autoimmune disease. Some autoimmune conditions are inherited in a family and can be seen throughout generations.
• The likelihood of a person getting a second autoimmune disease is higher once they have one.
• Coming into contact with chemicals or some forms of pollution, as well as other aspects of the environment, might cause autoimmune diseases.
• Smoking and using various tobacco products may trigger autoimmune diseases and have other negative effects on health.

How are Autoimmune Diseases Treated?

Although no cures have been found yet, various treatments are available to help manage the body’s response to autoimmune disorders. They include:

1. Medication

Different medications are prescribed by doctors based on the kind and severity of autoimmune disorders. These include:

• Steroids:In most cases,corticosteroids are often used for short-term control during disease flares due to their potent and rapid anti-inflammatory effects. However, due to their side effects, they are typically not used as a long-term first-line solution for all autoimmune diseases.
• Targeted Drugs: There are drugs that don’t affect all immune system cells; instead, they target only certain cells and proteins, with milder side effects.
• Anti-inflammatory Drugs: Disease-modifying drugs (DMARDs and biologics) are used to control the underlying overactive immune response and prevent long-term damage. Other anti-inflammatory drugs, like NSAIDs, may be used to manage pain and inflammation but do not alter the disease course.

2. Other Treatments to Manage Symptoms:

• Painkillers
• Medication for anxiety, depression, and sleep
• Insulin shots
• Plasma exchange to eliminate dangerous antibodies
• Creams and pills for rashes
• IVIg (a blood product containing antibodies)
• Blood transfusions, if necessary

3. Lifestyle Changes

Medical professionals may also encourage patients to make changes to their lifestyles. Exercise or physical therapy can help with muscular illnesses such as myositis or MS. Quitting smoking reduces risk and progression.

Since the symptoms are often the same, it can be challenging to find out exactly which autoimmune disease a person has. Autoantibodies are often found in blood tests, which can help doctors identify the diseases. Anti-inflammatory drugs are given to soothe the overactive immune system and reduce inflammation.

What are the Worst Foods for Autoimmune Diseases? 

Individuals should avoid certain foods if they are suffering from autoimmune disease to prevent further complications.

1. Gluten-Containing Grains: Usually found in wheat, barley, rye, etc, can increase the risk for people with autoimmune diseases.
2. Dairy Products: Some products, such as milk, cream, cheese, butter and yoghurt, can worsen conditions such as joint pains and digestive disorders in some people.   
3. Alcohol: Individuals with autoimmune diseases should stop consuming alcohol, as it can have a negative effect on their overall health and immune system. If we discuss alcohol's relation to autoimmune diseases, it can impact inflammation, sleep patterns, and nutrient deficiencies.
4. Salt: People with autoimmune diseases are advised to avoid foods that are salt-heavy, processed meats, canned soups, and salty snacks, as they can cause high blood pressure, water retention, and inflammation. Moreover, include whole foods and season your food with herbs and spices instead of salt to reduce the risk of triggering autoimmune symptoms.
5. Nightshade Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and eggplants are some nightshade vegetables that can contribute to inflammation and joint pain for people with autoimmune diseases. However, it does not affect everyone, but it can be a serious concern for some.
6. Processed Foods: Fast foods and processed foods can pose challenges for people with autoimmune diseases. The ingredients present in these foods can cause inflammation, which can trigger symptoms in some people with autoimmune diseases. Therefore, if you eat whole, unprocessed foods and prepare your meals on your own, the body will get all the vital building blocks that may  reduce the risk of inflammation.

Some other foods that are considered bad for autoimmune disease are:   

1. Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners
2. Red Meat
3. Eggs
4. Processed vegetable oils
5. Nuts and seeds

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