Autoimmune disease is a significant clinical problem affecting 5% of the population in the developed world (Haller-Kittatalo et al, 2017).
A healthy immune systems serves to guard and protect you against foreign invaders, like viruses, bacteria and toxins. When your immune system is working well it can tell the difference between foreign invaders and your own cells. However, when autoimmunity occurs, the immune system goes into overdrive and mistakes part of your body as foreign. The immune system sends out autoantibodies that attacks healthy cells, causing symptoms including chronic fatigue, hair loss, skin rashes, achy muscles, hair loss and numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, as well as other symptoms.
Researchers and scientists have identified more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases; a considerable number of them have similar symptoms. The different autoimmune conditions and symptoms range from mild to disabling, depending on which body system is under attack. (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2022). Some autoimmune diseases are well known, for example type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, whilst others are quite rare and can be difficult to diagnose. Some require lifelong medication to ease the symptoms.
                 Autoimmune diseases affect over 80 million Americans and 5% percent
                of the population in Western countries.
Types of Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases can be placed into two general types: those that are localised to specific organs or tissues and those that are systemic, which can damage many organs or tissues.
Examples of localised autoimmune diseases
Addison’s disease
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Grave’s disease
Type 1 diabetes
Crohn’s disease
Examples of systemic autoimmune diseases
Rheumatoid arthritis
Multiple sclerosis
Lupus
Scleroderma
Gender bias in autoimmunity
Generally, autoimmune diseases are more commonly recognised in females than males.
This is because most autoimmune diseases exhibit considerable gender dimorphism with a higher incidence in females, occurring at a rate of 2 to 1 (Angum, Khan and Kaler et al. 2020). However, gender isn’t the only factor that affects someone developing an autoimmune disease; genetics, race, and ethnic characteristics are linked to the development of autoimmunity as well as other factors including allergens, an imbalance of gut bacteria, toxins, poor diet and stress.
Conventional Treatment for Autoimmune Diseases
Conventional medical management of autoimmunity involves using drugs to suppress the symptoms or to suppress an overactive immune system using immunosuppressant drugs. As a last resort, surgery may be required to remove tissue that has become badly damaged by the inflammation or by the side effects caused by the medication used to suppress the symptoms.
                      By identifying the triggers and root causes of autoimmunity, there
                      is a lot that can be done through personalised nutrition and lifestyle      Â
                        interventions to support you on your way back to optimal health.
How can Ellingham Nutrition help?
By further understanding your autoimmune status and how it may be impacting on your health, Ellingham Nutrition will look at the latest scientific research and apply it to your unique needs. Using the functional medical model, that focuses on the root cause of autoimmunity, together we can develop a healthy lifestyle plan that will combine personalised nutrition, supplements where required, mindful eating, active stress management, recommendations for exercise and tips for restorative sleep.
Conclusion
Autoimmune disease is on the rise and according to a report published in The Journal of Clinical Investigations, experts state that solving the enigma of human autoimmunity will require a vast amount of knowledge and research (Rosenbluem, Remedios & Abbas, 2015). The understanding of how to successfully treat and manage autoimmunity continues to be a significant challenge in conventional medicine, yet incredible progress has been made.
The functional medicine approach offers a way to understand where imbalances may have occurred and the connection between those imbalances and symptom development.
Please get in touch if you would like more information or to get started with a personalised nutrition plan to improve your health and wellbeing.
