The Autoimmune Epidemic

The immune system incorporates different parts of the body – including certain blood cells, skin, bone marrow and more – that work to keep you healthy. The immune system protects you from infection by detecting and fighting diseases. If infectious agents such as bacteria or viruses get into your body, immune cells usually kill or overwhelm them, removing the infection. This is known as the immune response.

Autoimmune disease occurs when, instead of attacking bacteria, viruses or other sources of infection, the immune system attacks healthy organs and tissues - essentially, the body's defence system turns on itself.

There are more than 100 different autoimmune diseases. Most of them are long-term illnesses, with the severity of symptoms changing over time. Some of the more common autoimmune diseases include:

Rheumatoid arthritis: A chronic autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and inflammation.

Lupus: A systemic autoimmune disease that can affect various organs and tissues in the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, and blood vessels.

Type 1 diabetes: An autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, resulting in high blood sugar levels.

Multiple sclerosis: An autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, causing symptoms such as numbness, weakness, and difficulty with coordination and balance.

Inflammatory bowel disease: A group of autoimmune disorders that cause chronic inflammation in the digestive tract, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and rectal bleeding.

Psoriasis: A chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the skin, causing red, scaly patches and itching.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis: An autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland, causing hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland) and symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance.

Sjögren's syndrome: An autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the glands that produce tears and saliva, causing dry eyes and mouth, as well as other symptoms such as joint pain and fatigue.

It's important to note that there are many other autoimmune diseases, and each can have a wide range of symptoms and complications.

The exact cause of autoimmune diseases is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some possible factors that may contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases include:

Genetics: Certain genes have been identified that increase the risk of developing autoimmune diseases. People with a family history of autoimmune diseases are more likely to develop these conditions themselves.

Environmental triggers: Exposure to certain environmental triggers, such as viruses, bacteria, toxins, or drugs, may trigger an autoimmune response in susceptible individuals.

Hormones: Women are more likely to develop autoimmune diseases than men, suggesting that hormones may play a role in the development of these conditions.

Age: Some autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, are more common in middle-aged or older adults.

Stress: Chronic stress may weaken the immune system and increase the risk of developing autoimmune diseases.

It's important to note that autoimmune diseases are complex and can involve multiple factors. More research is needed to fully understand the causes of these conditions and develop effective treatments.

There is not yet a cure for autoimmune disease. Treatment depends on the condition but most autoimmune diseases are treated with medications that suppress or otherwise alter the immune system hoping to dial it down enough to ‘quiet’ the disease.

The identification of specific immune cells (such as B-cells that make antibodies) or chemical messages (also called cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor, or TNF) involved in autoimmune disease have led to therapies targeting these components of the immune system (such as rituximab, an anti-B-cell treatment or infliximab, an anti-TNF drug). Given the crucial link between epigenetics and autoimmunity discussed above, a deeper exploration of the complex epigenetic interactions will be integral in the development of a cure.

While current pharmacological therapies are effective for many people with autoimmune diseases, they come with severe side effects and often only act as a ‘bandaid’ covering up symptoms rather than halting disease progression. A growing body of research is now demonstrating the efficacy of mind/body therapies such as meditation, mindfulness and stress-management techniques which help regulate the stress response and help suppress chronic inflammation states. Many studies are now recommending mind/body therapies as a complementary non-pharmacological therapy for chronic illnesses, including autoimmune diseases.