What are autoimmune diseases?

Your immune system’s job is to keep you safe and healthy by fighting harmful substances that enter your body. The immune system can tell that these germs aren’t part of you, so it attacks and destroys them.¹

An autoimmune disease occurs when your immune system gets confused and starts attacking your own healthy cells and tissues, treating them as invaders. These attacks can affect any part of the body and cause serious damage.¹

What triggers autoimmune diseases?

It’s not clear why autoimmune diseases occur. They often run in families, meaning certain genes can make you more likely to develop an autoimmune disease.²

But genes aren’t the only culprits here. Different things in the environment can trigger the immune system, such as:²

• Infection by viruses and bacteria
• Medications
• Toxins such as chemicals and air pollution
• Cancer cells
• Blood and tissues from outside the body

All of these substances contain antigens that trigger the immune system. Since the immune system can’t tell the difference between healthy tissue and harmful antigens, it ends up damaging healthy tissues.¹

About 80% of people with chronic autoimmune conditions are women. Scientists are still trying to figure out why.¹

How do autoimmune diseases affect the body?

An autoimmune disease puts your healthy cells and tissues under attack. This can result in inflammation, damage to body tissues, and even change your organ's size and function.¹

Symptoms of autoimmune diseases

Symptoms can vary based on the condition and the area of the body where the immune response is off.³

Some common symptoms include: ³

• Fever
• Swelling
• Heat
• Pain
• Fatigue
• Rash
• Feeling ill

Symptoms of autoimmune diseases can come and go. Sometimes, they get worse for a while, and then they disappear for a period of time. ³

List of common autoimmune diseases

There are more than 80 autoimmune diseases affecting approximately 50 million Americans.¹ Some of the most common include:³

• Type 1 diabetes – a chronic condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin.
• Rheumatoid arthritis – a chronic disorder that leads to joint pain and inflammation.
• Lupus – a chronic condition causing pain and inflammation in various parts of the body.
• Multiple sclerosis – a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.
• Celiac disease – a condition where the immune system reacts negatively to eating gluten.
• Inflammatory bowel disease – a condition that triggers inflammation in the digestive tract.
• Psoriasis – a condition that causes inflammation of the skin.
• Hashimoto's disease – inflammation of the thyroid gland.

How are autoimmune diseases diagnosed?

If an autoimmune disease is suspected, your healthcare provider will talk to you and conduct a physical exam to look for signs of the disease. They may also order tests like blood work or antibody screenings to help in the diagnosis.³

What are the treatments for autoimmune diseases?

Treatment options will depend on the specific disease and the symptoms you’re experiencing.  This can include:

• Medicines such as immunosuppressive drugs to help reduce the immune system’s abnormal response, pain killers, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Physical therapy to help improve movement and function in your bones, muscles, and joints.
• Supplements can help replace substances that the body is lacking due to autoimmune diseases, such as vitamin D and vitamin B12.
• Surgery might be needed to help manage the condition in more severe cases.

Healthy lifestyle habits can also help control autoimmune diseases. Eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, avoid smoking or drinking, and stay active. Consult your doctor about the best activities for you. ²

Takeaways

Autoimmune diseases can’t be cured, but they can be managed. If you think you might have an autoimmune disease, talk to your doctor. They can help you find the best treatment plan for your situation. It’s also important to have healthy habits and avoid anything that might trigger your symptoms.

References

• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Autoimmune Diseases. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/autoimmune
• NIH News in Health. Understanding Autoimmune Diseases. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2022/06/understanding-autoimmune-diseases
• National Libary of Medicine. Autoimmune Diseases. https://medlineplus.gov/autoimmunediseases.html