When the Body Turns on Itself: Understanding Autoimmune Diseases
Peter Graham, M.D.
| 3 min read
Peter T. Graham, M.D., is the clinical director for ...
Key Takeaways
- More than 50 million Americans live with an autoimmune disease, and women are twice as likely as men to develop one.
- The most common autoimmune disorders include Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, psoriasis and scleroderma.
- Inflammation‑driven symptoms such as pain, swelling, redness, warmth, recurring fever, swollen glands and fatigue are hallmarks, yet diagnosis often takes an average of four years and multiple physician visits.
It’s estimated that more than 50 million people in the United States are living with some kind of autoimmune disease.
There are more than 140 diseases that have been identified as autoimmune. This wide spectrum includes some that are commonly known, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis and many rare diseases.
What does autoimmune mean?
Normally, the immune system is the disease-fighter that helps bodies recover from illness. A network of organs and cells recognize a foreign threat – such as a germ – and make fighter cells that work to destroy the germ in different ways.
In autoimmune disorders, the body’s immune system malfunctions in a particular area, and it incorrectly identifies normal body parts as foreign invaders to be fought. This results in the body damaging itself.
Some autoimmune disorders affect one organ of the body, such as Hashimoto’s disease, which affects the thyroid gland. Other autoimmune disorders are systemic, affecting multiple areas of the body, such as lupus.
Who gets autoimmune diseases?
Anyone can develop an autoimmune disease. This family of disorders is not limited to any particular age group, race, geographic or demographic trait.
However, women are twice as likely as men to develop an autoimmune disease. And certain autoimmune disorders are more common in different racial or ethnic groups. For example, lupus is more severe in African American and Hispanic populations, while Type 1 Diabetes is more common in white populations.
Some autoimmune diseases have a genetic link and people who have a family member with one of these types are at higher risk of developing it themselves.
About 25% of those with autoimmune diseases have more than one type.
What are the most common autoimmune diseases?
While there are around 140 different autoimmune diseases, according to the National Stem Cell Foundation, the most prevalent ones are:
- Type 1 diabetes: when the pancreas does not make insulin or does not properly make insulin.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: arthritis that affects the lining of the joints.
- Multiple sclerosis: a breakdown of the nerve lining – myelin – which causes progressive weakness, numbness and memory issues.
- Lupus: systemic inflammation that damages tissues and organs throughout the body.
- Crohn’s/Colitis: digestive diseases causing inflammation in the gastrointestinal system.
- Psoriasis: a skin disease causing inflammation and scaly patches on the skin.
- Scleroderma: a collagen disease causing tight, hard or thickened skin and potential damage to organs and blood vessels.
What are the symptoms of an autoimmune disease?
Because there are so many types of autoimmune diseases, there are many different kinds of symptoms. However, there are some common signs that may point to an autoimmune disorder. The most common indicator is inflammation. This may include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Warmth
- Recurring fever
- Swollen glands
- Fatigue
These symptoms can come and go, or they can be persistent. Because these are common symptoms for a wide variety of issues, it can take a long time to properly diagnose an autoimmune disease. According to the Autoimmune Association, it takes an average of four years and visits to many physicians to get a diagnosis.
Those who are experiencing these symptoms or who may have concerns about their risks for autoimmune diseases should talk with their primary care provider for guidance.
Peter Graham is clinical director for the Blue Care Network. For more health tips and information visit bcbsm.mibluedaily.com.
Image: Getty Images
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