Your body’s immune system plays a crucial role in protecting you from infections and other diseases. However, sometimes this defense system can become overactive and attack healthy cells and tissues in your body.

This is known as autoimmunity and can lead to a variety of chronic diseases.

Understanding Autoimmunity

Autoimmunity occurs when your immune system mistakenly identifies healthy cells and tissues as foreign invaders and attacks them. This can lead to inflammation and damage to various parts of your body, including your joints, skin, and organs.

Autoimmune diseases can range from mild to severe and can affect people of all ages and ethnicities.

Some common autoimmune diseases include:.

Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus
Celiac disease
Multiple sclerosis
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Type 1 diabetes

Causes of Autoimmunity

The exact cause of autoimmune diseases is not yet known, but it is believed that a combination of genetic and environmental factors can trigger the immune system to attack healthy cells.

Some of the known risk factors for developing autoimmune diseases include:.

Genetics – having a family history of autoimmune disease
Gender – many autoimmune diseases are more common in women than in men
Age – certain autoimmune diseases are more likely to develop in older adults
Environmental factors – infections, toxins, and other environmental triggers can contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases

Symptoms of Autoimmunity

The symptoms of autoimmune diseases can vary depending on the specific condition and the affected organs or tissues. However, some common symptoms of autoimmune diseases include:.

Fatigue
Joint pain and stiffness
Swelling and redness
Skin rashes
Unexplained weight loss or gain
Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
Changes in bowel movements or bladder function
Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet

Diagnosis and Treatment of Autoimmunity

Diagnosing autoimmune diseases can be challenging because many of the symptoms are non-specific and can be caused by multiple conditions.

Your healthcare provider may perform a physical exam, blood tests, imaging tests, or other diagnostic tests to determine if you have an autoimmune disease.

Treatment for autoimmune diseases typically involves managing symptoms and preventing damage to affected organs or tissues.

This may include medications to reduce inflammation and pain, lifestyle changes, or immunosuppressive medications to decrease the activity of the immune system.

Preventing Autoimmunity

There is no guaranteed way to prevent autoimmune diseases, but there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk. These include:.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet
Getting regular exercise
Maintaining a healthy weight
Quitting smoking
Reducing stress
Avoiding exposure to toxins

If you have a family history of autoimmune disease or are experiencing symptoms of autoimmunity, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider to determine if further testing or treatment is necessary.