A healthy immune system defends the body against disease and infection. Yet, if the immune system malfunctions, it mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissues, and organs. Such attacks are called autoimmune diseases and can affect any part of the body, weaken body functions, and even turn life-threatening.

There are more than 80 autoimmune diseases. Some are well-known, such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, while others are rare and difficult to diagnose.

Autoimmune diseases are considered chronic conditions. With unusual autoimmune diseases, patients may suffer years before getting a proper diagnosis. Most of these diseases have no cure, while some may require lifelong treatment to ease symptoms.

Types of Autoimmune Diseases

There are many autoimmune diseases. They can affect almost any tissue or organ in your body, depending on where your immune system malfunctions, including your:

  • Joints.
  • Muscles.
  • Skin.
  • Blood vessels.
  • Digestive system.
  • Endocrine system.
  • Nervous system.

What Can Cause Autoimmune Disease?

It’s not really known exactly what causes the immune system to malfunction. Yet, some people are more likely to get an autoimmune disease than others. According to Healthline, some factors that may increase the risk of developing an autoimmune disease include:

  • Your sex: Females between the ages of 15 and 44 are more likely to get an autoimmune disease than males.
  • Your family history: People may be more likely to develop autoimmune diseases due to inherited genes.
  • Environmental factors: Exposure to sunlight, mercury, chemicals like solvents or those used in agriculture, cigarette smoke, or certain bacterial and viral infections, including COVID-19, may increase your risk of autoimmune disease.
  • Ethnicity: Some autoimmune diseases are more common in people in certain groups. For example, White people from Europe and the United States may be more likely to develop autoimmune muscle disease, while lupus tends to occur more in people who are African American, Hispanic, or Latino.
  • Nutrition: Diet and nutrients may impact the risk and severity of autoimmune disease.
  • Infections. Microorganisms like viruses and bacteria could set off changes that make your immune system attack itself. This may be more likely if you’re genetically prone to immune system disease.
  • Other health conditions: Certain health conditions, including obesity and other autoimmune diseases, may make you more likely to develop an autoimmune disease.

Common Autoimmune Disease Symptoms

Despite the different types of autoimmune diseases, many of them share similar symptoms. Common symptoms of autoimmune disease include:

  • Fatigue
  • Joint pain and swelling
  • Skin problems
  • Abdominal pain or digestive issues
  • Recurring fever
  • Swollen glands

Blood tests and imaging procedures are commonly used to detect the presence of an autoimmune disease. For instance, ultrasounds and X-rays can reveal joint issues, and MRIs can show damage deep in your body.

Autoimmune Disease Risk Factors

It’s not really known what causes these types of diseases, but several theories point to an overactive immune system attacking the body after an infection or injury. According to Hopkins,  certain risk factors increase the chances of developing autoimmune disorders, including:

  • Genetics: Certain disorders such as lupus and multiple sclerosis (MS) tend to run in families.
  • Weight: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis.
  • Smoking: Research has linked smoking to several autoimmune diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, hyperthyroidism, and MS.
  • Certain medications: Certain blood pressure medications or antibiotics can trigger drug-induced lupus, which is often a more benign form of lupus. It has also been discovered that specific medications used to lower cholesterol, called statins, can trigger statin-induced myopathy which is a rare autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness.

Treatment Options

Treatments depend on the disease. In most cases, the goal of treatment is to control your immune system response and manage your symptoms.

At Magnolia Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the integrated healthcare team takes a patient-centered approach to care and works together to find the underlying cause of your autoimmune disease. The team then provides personalized care that alleviates your symptoms and restores your health.

For more information, contact the Magnolia Medical Center at (615) 953-9007 to request an appointment!