The immune system is responsible for recognizing and removing pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, from the body. What happens when the immune system cannot tell the difference between pathogens and the body’s own, normal cells? The immune system will destroy normal cells by mistake. The resulting disorder is referred to as an autoimmune disease. There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases that affect different parts of the body.
The symptoms of an autoimmune disease often depend on what body part has been targeted by the immune system. For example, in multiple sclerosis, the immune system targets the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include muscle spasms and problems walking. Meanwhile, in type 1 diabetes, the immune system targets the pancreas. Symptoms include high blood sugar and extreme thirst.
There are a handful of symptoms that are shared by autoimmune diseases. They include:
It should be noted that the symptoms of an autoimmune disease can come and go. This is because autoimmune diseases are often characterized by “flare-ups” and periods of remission.
Autoimmune diseases have no known causes. Most theories postulate that the immune system is triggered by a combination of infections, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors.
The risk factors for developing an autoimmune disease include the following:
Females are twice as likely to develop an autoimmune disease than men.
Infections can increase one’s risk for developing an autoimmune disease, especially if one already has a genetic predisposition. For example, infections of strep throat and mononucleosis have been linked to the development of rheumatic fever and multiple sclerosis, respectively.
Though the specifics are still unknown, genetics play a large role in the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases. Having a family member with an autoimmune disease increases one’s own likelihood of having one.
The prevalence of autoimmune diseases has risen through the years. It is concluded that the exposure to certain toxins and chemicals within the environment, such as smoke, pesticides, and heavy metals, increases one’s risk for developing autoimmune diseases.
Those who already have an autoimmune disease are at a higher risk for developing another autoimmune disease.
Those who are obese are at a higher risk for developing an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
The diagnosis of autoimmune diseases is challenging. The symptoms of an autoimmune disease often overlap with the symptoms of other diseases and conditions. Oftentimes, one must make several visits to different doctors and specialists before a diagnosis is reached. Doctors must carefully review a patient’s family history, symptoms, and test results before reaching any conclusion.
There are several tests that can help diagnose an autoimmune disease. Tests include immunoglobulins blood tests, a complement blood test, and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) blood test. Another test is the antinuclear antibody (ANA) panel. An ANA panel is a type of blood test that measures the level of antinuclear antibodies in the blood. An autoimmune disease is indicated by a high level of ANAs.
There are no treatments to cure autoimmune diseases. Instead, the treatment for autoimmune diseases consists of medication to reduce inflammation, manage pain, and limit the body’s immune response. Medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants.
Medications can also be prescribed to treat additional symptoms caused by the specific autoimmune disease. For example, insulin is prescribed for a person with type 1 diabetes to treat high blood sugar. Anti-thyroid medications are prescribed for a person with Grave’s disease to treat an overactive thyroid.
Since the causes for autoimmune diseases are unknown, there is no definitive way to prevent them. In fact, it may not be possible to prevent autoimmune diseases at all. Doctors still recommend a healthy lifestyle to limit the risk factors. A healthy lifestyle can also help mitigate flare-ups if one already struggles with an autoimmune disease. A healthy lifestyle implies that one quits smoking, eats a healthy diet, keeps a healthy weight, exercises regularly, and avoids toxins in the environment.