The role of the healthy immune system in the body is to guard against germs like bacteria and viruses or any infections that happen. When immune cells sense any foreign invaders (micro-organisms) in the body, they come into action and fight back to protect the body from any infection. But in the case of autoimmune disorders, the immune system malfunctions and are not able to understand the difference between healthy cells and foreign invaders. In this case, immune cells start attacking healthy cells of the body and can affect any part of the body, weakening bodily functions and even turning life-threatening.
Source - https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/autoimmune/index.cfm
Causes
There are no concrete theories about how autoimmune disorders happen but several theories suggest the possible reason for the overactive immune system attacking the healthy cells in the body.
- Ethnicity – certain ethnic groups have higher chances of getting certain autoimmune disorders like lupus more common among African-Americans than Caucasians
- Genetics – Diseases like multiple sclerosis run in families. Having a relative with an autoimmune disorder increases your risk of having the same disorder
- Weight – Being obese increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis.
- Smoking – Some studies have shown the links between smoking and certain disorders like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis
Symptoms
Every autoimmune disorder has certain typical signs and symptoms exclusive to that particular disease but still, certain symptoms are common with the majority of the diseases,
- Fatigue
- Swelling and pain in joints
- Skin rashes
- Recurring fever
- Swollen glands
- Stomach pain
- Digestion issues
- Hair loss
- Lack of concentration
Having one or more of these symptoms might or might not be a sign of autoimmune disorder. Getting a consultation with an expert helps to understand the underlying cause of these symptoms.
Also diagnosing an autoimmune disorder is not that easy. There is no single test to diagnose the disorder. Certain symptoms combined with specific blood markers or biopsy also in some cases can confirm the autoimmune disorder.
Common autoimmune disorders
There are a total of 80 known autoimmune disorders so far but some are more commonly present,
Beta cells of the pancreas are responsible for the release of insulin in the body that regulates blood sugar levels. In this disorder, immune cells attack and destroy the beta cells of the pancreas, thus affecting the insulin supply in the body and raising blood sugar levels.
High blood sugar levels can cause macrovascular and microvascular complications and can lead to neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy.
Antibodies are produced to attach to the lining of the joint and attack the joints causing inflammation, swelling, pain. If left untreated, it may lead to permanent joint damage. Unlike osteoarthritis, it can start early in the 30s.
- Psoriasis
Immune cells start accumulating in the skin and stimulate cells to reproduce rapidly, producing silvery, scaly plaques on the skin. These plaques are generally inflamed and itchy.
- Multiple Sclerosis
It’s a serious condition in which myelin sheath (protective coating of nerves) gets damaged and it slows down the transmission speed of messages between the brain and spinal cord and to and from the rest of the body. It can lead to numbness, weakness, balance issues, muscle spasms, walking issues.
It leads to inflammation in the lining of the intestinal wall causing episodes of diarrhea, rectal bleeding, uncontrolled bowel movements, abdominal pain, fever, and weight loss. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s diseases are two major forms of IBD.
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
It affects the tissues throughout the body like joints, lungs, blood cells, nerves, and kidneys. Joint pains, fatigue, and rashes are the most common symptoms.
- Grave’s Disease
It affects the thyroid glands in the neck, making it hyperactive, leading to increased hormone production in the body. Symptoms can be bulging eyes (exophthalmos), weight loss, nervousness, irritability, increased heartbeat, weakness, brittle hair.
- Celiac Disease
It is aggravated by the presence of gluten in the body, a protein found in wheat and the eye. When gluten is present in the intestine, the immune system gets overactive and starts attacking the villi in the intestine and causing inflammation thus leading to chronic diarrhea and digestion issues.
- Myasthenia Gravis
It affects the nerve impulses that help the brain control the muscles and when communication from nerves to muscles is impaired, it affects muscle contraction. It leads to severe weakness in the muscles while doing a certain activity and improves with rest.
There is no permanent cure for autoimmune disorders but preventive measures can be taken to control the overactive immune system and bring down inflammation or reduce pain and swelling in the joints. Eating a well-balanced diet and a physically active routine (as advised by the doctor) can also help to relieve the symptoms of certain disorders.
