The immune system protects you from foreign concerns like viruses and bacteria. The system senses the invaders and, in response, sends cells to attack and guard the body. The immune system can differentiate your cells from foreign cells, but in some instances, it goes awry. Autoimmune disease Edmond results from the immune system mistaking the body part, for example, joint or skin, with foreign invaders and releasing antibodies to attack your healthy cells.
Autoimmune disease can affect only one organ, like Type 1 diabetes, that damages the pancreas. In other instances, it can affect the whole body. This is as is the case with SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus). It affects organs including the heart, kidneys, lungs, brain, joints, blood cells, and skin. Autoimmune disease cause is not yet clear. Nonetheless, certain risk factors affect your immune tolerance and could cause the development of the condition. Among such risk factors includes:
Genetics
Disorders like multiple sclerosis and lupus are likely to run in families. It means you are at higher risk if you have a family history of autoimmune disease. Nonetheless, you might get a different condition, not necessarily what your parent or sibling develops. The inherited genetic variation affects your immune response. This is in response to infections, dietary concerns, or physical traumas. This means that while beyond your control, you can still lower the risks by adopting a lifestyle that helps you avoid certain triggers.
Sex
Females are at higher risk of autoimmune disease. Some of the factors associated with the higher risk include:
- Reproductive function
- Additional X chromosome
- Hormonal changes
- Organ vulnerabilities, to mention a few
Obesity
Excessive weight is at the center of many health concerns, autoimmune diseases included. Body fat, also known as adipose tissue, affects physiological functions. This includes immune system response. With obesity, the fat accumulates and becomes dysfunctional. This causes increased or dysregulated adipokines secretion. The increased/dysregulated bioactive compounds are pro-inflammatory, altering your immune system function. Therefore, shedding the extra pounds and maintaining a healthy weight is essential beyond having a striking shape and size.
Smoking
Smoking is detrimental to almost every organ in your body. This extends to causing autoimmune disease. Tobacco contains chemicals, some toxic. When you inhale them, it impacts your immune system in various ways. This includes inflammatory responses, cytokines dysregulation, autoantibodies development, and immune suppression.
Smoking and exposure to other toxic agents can activate deactivated or repressed genes. As such, you can lower the risk by:
- Quit smoking
- Wearing protective gear in toxic environments, such as when handling chemicals
- Avoiding excessive sun exposure (ultraviolet radiation)
Medication
Medications are necessary for certain situations. This includes managing blood pressure and treating anxiety, among other concerns. Nonetheless, the drugs have side effects. Some affect your immune system function and can trigger an autoimmune response. Medications can trigger a drug-induced autoimmune disease such as autoimmune hepatitis.
Infections
Infections can turn on some genes. This affects your immune system’s ability to differentiate between non-self and self-triggering autoimmune responses. For example, Group A streptococcus bacterial infection can trigger autoimmune disease affecting the joints, brain, and heart. This can lead to rheumatic heart disease or fever.
If you have had an autoimmune disease, you are at high risk of developing others. Most of the management measures include physical activity, a nutritional plan including supplements, and weight and stress management, to mention a few. Call The Lamkin Clinic today to learn more about autoimmune disease treatment and management options.
