Autoimmune Conditions
Autoimmune conditions are a group of disorders that are triggered when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune conditions, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, Graves’ disease, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Autoimmune conditions can affect any organ or tissue in the body, but they most often occur in the joints (rheumatoid arthritis), skin (lupus, Psoriasis/eczema), lungs (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis), kidneys (glomerulonephritis), heart (myocarditis), nervous system (multiple sclerosis), thyroid gland (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) and brain (vasculitis).
Symptoms of autoimmune disease:
- Fatigue
- Aching and swollen joints
- Skin conditions
- Stomach aches or digestive problems
- Persistent fever
- Enlarged glands
What causes Autoimmune conditions?
The exact causes of autoimmune conditions are still not fully understood by scientists, but there are some factors that appear to increase your risk of developing them:
- Genes – Some people have genes that make their bodies more likely to develop autoimmune diseases than others do.
- Environment/lifestyle – Some studies suggest that environmental factors like stress or exposure to certain chemicals can trigger an autoimmune response in genetically susceptible individuals.
Statistics
According to CDC, 10 million people in the U.S. are affected by all autoimmune diseases combined. Autoimmune disease affects 1 out of every 5 Americans. Each day, more than 50 million Americans are affected. Seventy-five of those impacted are female. Numerous autoimmune diseases have comparable symptoms despite having different types.
Why treating the root cause of autoimmune conditions important?
Treating the root cause of autoimmune conditions is important for two reasons:
First, the symptoms of autoimmune conditions can be so severe that they can lead to life-threatening illnesses. For example, if someone with lupus develops anemia or kidney damage, they may need to be hospitalized and have blood transfusions or dialysis performed in order to survive. If you don’t treat the disease itself, this could happen again and again. That’s not just expensive—it’s dangerous!
Second, treating the root cause of autoimmune conditions will help you feel better faster. When you have an autoimmune condition like lupus or celiac disease, your body is fighting itself all of the time. This causes inflammation throughout your body that makes it difficult to think clearly, sleep well at night, and enjoy life as much as possible. Treating the root cause of these conditions means treating the inflammation itself—which will make your symptoms go away faster than ever before!
Your heart disease risk increases if you have lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriatic arthritis. It’s usually suggested to take precautions against heart disease, but it is essential if you already have any of these conditions. Consult with our experts at Benehealth to learn what you must do to maintain a strong and healthy immune system.
