Autoimmune illnesses occur when your body’s defences, collectively referred to as the immune system, are overactive and end up overreacting and damaging the body’s healthy tissues. While earlier estimates showed that the conditions are quite rare, more recent research believes the numbers are faulty and that around 10% of the population could be dealing with an autoimmune disease. Women are more likely to be affected, and some physicians believe that we are witnessing a rise in incidence, possibly as a result of pollutants, the impact of several viral infections, and lifestyle factors like poor nutrition, inadequate sleep, and chronic sleep deprivation, stress, and sedentarism.
There are over 100 different autoimmune diseases, and the symptoms and intensity vary depending on the patient and the affected organs and systems. While the disorders can generally not be cured, there are many ways to manage and keep them under control to the point where the symptoms become virtually non-existent.
Symptoms
Every illness is unique and will manifest differently depending on the patient, which is why it’s important to visit a doctor and run tests for an accurate diagnosis. Symptoms can sometimes be non-specific and include fatigue, joint swelling or pain, skin issues like rashes, abdominal pain, swollen glands, frequent fevers, and a general feeling of malaise that can be challenging to explain to a doctor. Getting an accurate diagnosis can be a long-term endeavour, and it can feel quite stressful to not know what is going on with your body. The frequent visits to the doctor will also impact your daily routine, can lead to you skipping work or school, and result in considerable expenses.
On top of that, you might also become the victim of diagnostic errors if your medical practitioner fails to identify symptoms correctly and provides you with the wrong treatment. This can either mean that your symptoms will continue evolving since they are left unchecked or that you end up dealing with new health complaints as a result of taking medication you never needed in the first place.
The illnesses
There are several types of autoimmune diseases out there. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of them, with the symptoms focused on the joints, which feel inflamed and painful. Left untreated, it can lead to permanent damage, impacting quality of life and potentially leading to disability. Lupus is a systemic illness that can attack the lungs, kidneys, nerves, and blood cells, with treatment typically involving steroids. However, in extreme cases, patients may require a kidney transplant if the disease has made it impossible for the body to clear waste products on its own.
Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is another serious condition that involves the immune system attacking nerve cells and causing a wide range of symptoms, including poor coordination, weakness, muscle spasms, pain, and even blindness. Corticosteroids and plasma exchange are the preferred forms of treatment, and early, aggressive treatment can actually reduce the probability of relapsing and slow the continuous development of lesions. Type 1 diabetes destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, so patients require insulin in order to survive. Careful diet monitoring, making healthy foods diet staples, keeping track of your blood sugar, and staying active can add to the positive effects of medication and keep symptoms under control even better.
Guillain-Barre syndrome attacks the nerves controlling the muscles, with the legs being most commonly affected, but some patients are dealing with weakness in the upper body as well. Depending on the severity of symptoms, Guillain-Barre can be life-threatening. There are several causes, with viruses and bacteria being the most common catalysts. Campylobacter, a bacteria found in undercooked poultry, HIV, hepatitis, zika, cytomegalovirus, and even the influenza viruses, can trigger the development of this disorder. Scleroderma causes patients to have too much collagen in their bodies, causing damage to the organs and blood vessels and visible skin hardening.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis destroys the cells that produce the thyroid hormone, with symptoms including sensitivity to cold, dry skin, emotional health issues, and tiredness. A synthetic hormone pill is typically enough to restore normal organ functions, but it must be taken regularly and in an adequate dosage in order to be effective. Psoriasis causes immune cells known as T-cells to collect in the skin, causing scaly patches, most commonly on the scalp, knees, and elbows.
Causes
There is no definitive cause for why autoimmune illnesses develop in the first place. Infections can lead to changes in the immune system that cause the body to attack itself. A genetic factor could also be possible, as some diseases tend to run in families. If a family member has been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, it’s not a given that you will develop it as well, but you could be at increased risk in the future. Keeping up with a doctor and having regular check-ups can catch any health damage early on when it is easier to treat. Certain genes or gene combinations may also make you more likely to have an autoimmune condition.
Certain medications can also cause changes in the body that kickstart the development of autoimmune illnesses. This is why it’s crucial to talk to a doctor before taking medication and not take anything just because you believe something may be wrong. Moreover, you should never take more than you were prescribed or for a longer time since this can also lead to health complaints.
The right diagnosis
Knowing your family history and informing your doctors about it can speed up the diagnosis process and ensure you get the right answers. If a family member has a particular autoimmune disease, you may be more susceptible to developing it yourself. Keep a list of your symptoms, and make sure to include any and all signs, even those that are seemingly unrelated. You can also seek referrals from family, friends, or acquaintances, as they may be able to recommend a good diagnostician who can help you as well. Remember that a thorough examination will include clinical tests as well in order to obtain more conclusive results.
Dealing with an autoimmune disorder can be challenging, but there are many more resources nowadays, and research continues to develop new potential treatments that could eventually make the illness curable. Work closely with your doctor and follow the treatment scheme to keep the symptoms under control and reduce the discomfort as much as possible.
