Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune conditions are widespread and have been increasing significantly in the past 30 yrs. They are often overlooked or misdiagnosed. It is not uncommon to suffer for years without getting answers
What is Autoimmune Disease?
In an autoimmune condition, the immune system reacts (in an exaggerated manner) to a threat or a perceived threat to the body, creating an inflammatory response and damage to the body’s tissues. There are 80 known autoimmune diseases in which a broad range of symptoms can manifest in the body depending on which part of the body is affected.
Common Autoimmune Conditions
The following is a list of common autoimmune diseases and autoimmune related disorders.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Celiac disease
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Lupus
- Multiple sclerosis
- Psoriasis
- Grave’s disease (Hyperthyroid)
- Crohn’s disease
- Scleroderma
- Type 1 diabetes
How Does Autoimmune Disease Occur?
In a healthy human being the immune system functions as surveillance system to protect our body’s healthy cells and tissues from, viruses, bacteria and pathogens within the body. When a foreign invader enters, an alarm is set off which signals the immune system to attack through release of inflammatory compounds. In the case of autoimmune conditions, the immune activation becomes persistent due to a chronic threat or it goes awry and mounts an immune response to harmless stimuli. Healthy cells, tissues and organs get damaged in the process.
Connecting the Dots
Figuring out why your body is overreacting is like solving a mystery. There are many factors that can cause the body to react inappropriately. It is important to consider diet, infections, traumatic events, toxic exposures and a reaction to gluten or other food proteins
Researchers now believe that, for an autoimmune condition to manifest, three factors must be present
- Genetic predisposition
- Intestinal Permeability (aka “leaky gut”): This condition allows food and bacteria antigens to permeate the gut wall and trigger an autoimmune response. Intestinal permeability can be caused by food antigens, bacteria, stress, medications (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), excessive dietary fat, capsaicin (in hot peppers and paprika), excessive exercise and environmental toxins.
- Environmental triggers: such as a food antigen , toxins from pathogens or other sources can penetrate the permeable gut wall and trigger an autoimmune response
Potential triggering factors for autoimmune conditions:
- Food sensitivity or celiac disease
- Stress and trauma: Can increase gut permeability. Studies have shown a strong correlation between stressful events and the onset of and exacerbations of Grave’s disease and other autoimmune conditions.
- Changes in the gut microbiome (the community of “good” and “bad” bacteria that resides in the body’s digestive tract).
- Infections: Chronic Epstein Barr Virus, Yersinia and H pylori infections have been associated with autoimmune conditions. Some have associated chronic Lyme disease and other less common bacterial and viral infection with autoimmune conditions
- Environmental toxins which can increase gut permeability and disrupt the immune system.
With autoimmune conditions, there may be multiple triggers creating a “perfect storm”. Autoimmune disease symptoms can intensify when the diet and lifestyle are out of balance.
My Approach to Autoimmune Disease
My approach includes listening to a person’s story, identifying the triggers and quenching the inflammatory response with anti-inflammatory foods and supplements and providing support for positive lifestyle changes.
We may begin with addressing diet, identifying food triggers, imbalances in the microbiome, stress and sleep. If we need to look further, functional laboratory testing for hidden infections or toxins may be recommended.
