Autoimmune diseases will occur when the body’s own immune system will mistakenly attack its own healthy cells. There are various factors that can contribute to the onset of autoimmune diseases and cause a spectrum of disorders.

Understanding these factors can help individuals take steps towards managing their health and reducing the risk of autoimmune conditions.

Let’s explore the reasons for the onset of autoimmune diseases, and learn how it can affect you, your family, friends and neighbors. A little understanding and knowledge helps us learn to discuss, and manage such events in our lives, and others with a touch of empathy.

1. Genetics can awaken Autoimmune Disease

Existing genes can be stimulated and cause the development of autoimmune diseases. It can become ‘dominant‘ when both parents carry that disease in their DNA.

Individuals with a family history of autoimmune conditions are at a higher risk of developing similar conditions themselves and pass the genes onto their children.

2. Environmental Triggers

Exposure to certain environmental factors, such as infections, pollutants, and toxins, can trigger an autoimmune response in susceptible individuals. These triggers can vary widely and may include viral or bacterial infections, as well as exposure to specific chemicals or pollutants.

After all, wind and water can carry contaminants far and wide, pay attention to the direction of ‘flow’. Many know that water flows in the directions of least resistance.

We can’t forget agricultural farms that mass produce food stuffs use pesticides, and antibiotics on animals – we ingest when eating. Is their water source truly pollution – free?

3. Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalances, particularly in women, have been linked to an increased risk of autoimmune diseases. Changing balances in hormone levels, such as occurs during pregnancy, hysterectomy surgery, or menopause, can affect the immune system and lead to the development of autoimmune diseases.

4. Chronic Stress

Chronic stress can have a detrimental effect on the immune system such as lowering your immunity response strength, and leading to increased inflammation and a higher susceptibility to autoimmune diseases.

Managing stress through relaxation techniques and mindfulness practices may help reduce the risk of developing these conditions.

5. Diet and Gut Health

The gut is a region in the human body that hosts specific microscopic living organisms that help play crucial roles in regulating the immune system.

Imbalances in the gut flora, often influenced by diet and lifestyle factors, can contribute to immune imbalances and the development of autoimmune diseases. Talk with your Doctor or Dietician about a best diet for you or check at your local library.

6. Vitamin D Deficiency

Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with an increased risk of autoimmune diseases. Natural sources of Vitamin D are fish liver oil, Sardines, herring, salmon, tuna, liver, egg yolk, and livers of fish eating animals. This is the main reason why Vitamin D can be found added in milk and margarine.

Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble and may not be easily absorbed. It’s important that the body’s digestive system and absorption of fats, is normal.

Adequate exposure of your skin to sunlight, and supplements may help maintain optimal vitamin D levels and support your immune health.

7. Smoking

Smoking has been linked to an elevated risk of several autoimmune diseases. Certain pollutants such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as Benzo -a- pyrene are well-known DNA mutagen that can cause autoimmune diseases. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of developing these conditions.

8. Microbial Infections

Certain microbial infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus, have been implicated in triggering autoimmune responses. The body’s own proteins can get so altered by infection, or drug and chemical combination, including traumas (heart attack, burns, etc.) that the body no longer recognizes ‘self‘, the immune response attacks own cells as ‘foreign‘.

Understanding and addressing these infections may play a role in managing autoimmune diseases. Medical research is ongoing.

9. Medications and Treatments

Some medications and medical treatments, particularly those that modulate the immune system, can increase the risk of autoimmune diseases as a side effect.

A physician will put together a plan of treatment that must maintain a delicate balance between suppressing the acts of the autoimmune disorder, and simultaneously maintain the body’s ability to fight disease and germs.

It is important to discuss potential risks with healthcare providers when considering these treatments. It’s ok to ask questions.

10. Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is a common feature of many autoimmune diseases. Classic symptoms are heat, redness, swelling, pain, and loss of function. Inflammatory response can be become active from an injury, destruction of tissues, and which strives to isolate, destroy, or dilute causative agents in the injured area.

Causative agents can be physical, chemical and biologic materials, including mechanical trauma, exposure to excess sunlight, x-rays, and radioactive materials, corrosive chemicals, extremes of heat and cold, and infectious microbes such as bacteria, viruses, and other pathogenic microbes.

Addressing underlying inflammation through lifestyle modifications and targeted therapies may help manage the symptoms and progression of autoimmune conditions.

I have arthritis, and make a herbal tea with the recipe in the above photograph and using supplements are helpful too. I like the tea because it’s warm, and know it’s ‘working’ because my body feels like it’s ‘glowing’.

Pain is relieved within 20 minutes and will last few days. Cold and damp weather sets off my inflammation in my joints, and this tea relieves the pain for me. I recommend drinking it only about twice or three times a week.

Learning Awareness

By being aware of the reasons and causes of autoimmune diseases, people can learn to take steps to minimize their risks, and manage their overall health effectively with help from their physician and health teams.

We can also pay attention to levels of pollution, and contaminants in our environment both far, and nearby. After all, groundwater, snow, floods, and winds can help ‘move‘ these contaminants and increase our exposure to potential ‘mutagens‘. Climate change is here and intense storms are becoming ‘regular‘ events.

Working with your Physician and Medical Teams

Consulting with your healthcare providers, Physician or Immunologist for personalized guidance and support is important for those living with or at risk of autoimmune conditions. There are online forums you can join to learn more, and find support.

Keep in mind, you’re not alone, there are others with the same, similar or other type of autoimmune disease.

For now, do know that medical research is exploring drugs that act more specifically on the human body’s immune system. This due to the range of ‘hypersensitivity‘ symptoms exhibited in people with autoimmune diseases. Let’s send our Prayers out they find something that can help relieve the symptoms or cure the disease. Take care, stay strong, stay safe!

Learning in Motion

Further Learning Resources

Treating Human Autoimmunity: Current Practice and Future Prospects

Potential Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases Revealed in New Study PDF

New Dawn of Cellular Therapies in Autoimmune Diseases

Molecular Biology, Immunology & Disease
The University of Toronto Scarborough

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AIC| An Informal Cornr, all rights reserved. Ginsense writes articles at AIC|An Informal Cornr about business skills and development, health, science, technology, society and enjoys advocating for independence, security and a better world for all of us.