5 Underlying Causes to Autoimmune Disease
Through my own experiences dealing with an autoimmune disease, I was able to identify contributing factors, such as inflammation, toxicity, stress, sleep deprivation, leaky gut, and other possible factors.
Here are 5 underlying causes to autoimmune disease I found for myself.
Inflammation:
According to a PubMed article on inflammatory responses and inflammation-associated diseases, “Inflammation is a biological response of the immune system that can be triggered by a variety of factors, including pathogens, damaged cells and toxic compounds”. Chronic inflammation can occur in various organs, heart, liver, kidney, brain, intestinal tract, potentially leading to disease or tissue damage. In an autoimmune disease, chronic inflammation can drive a hyper active immune response that ultimately causes the immune system to attack healthy tissue and organs. Additionally, this PubMed article states, “Chronic inflammation occurs when acute inflammatory mechanisms fail to eliminate tissue injury” . In other words, an immune response is solicited constantly and this may be undesired if it causes autoimmunity, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, thyroid disease. ‘Western diet’ has been shown to increase inflammation and might negatively affect the gut-immune homeostasis. On the other hand, diets based on vegetables, fish, and fruits reduce pro-inflammatory responses and restore or maintain a healthy symbiotic gut microbiota. More specifically, studies have shown that plant-derived nutrients were associated with an anti-inflammatory potential by acting as ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.
Toxicity:
Toxins can come from various external sources, such as heavy metal exposure, environmental pollution, mold exposure, pesticides. These external factors can drive more inflammation and lead to hyper active or overstimulated immune responses. Hence, autoimmune conditions or symptoms can arise due to this chronic inflammation.
For instance, heavy metal exposure has been implicated as an exogenous factor of triggering autoimmunity according to a Toxicology of Autoimmune Diseases article, published on PubMed. Furthermore, occupational exposure to solvents or chemicals, such as mercury or oils (industrial solvent, adjuvant oils, mineral oils used in processed foods) has been shown to lead to chronic autoimmune responses in humans. Evidence of inducing autoimmunity from these exogenous toxins have been confirmed from animal studies.
Additionally, mold exposure has been linked to immunological dysfunction and reported to cause immune-mediated diseases, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis (inflammatory lung disease). (PubMed Article: Immune Response among Patients Exposed to Molds)
Hence, detoxing the body becomes critical when an autoimmune patient knows he or she has had exposures to significant levels or multiple toxins.
Stress:
Stress can contribute to immune dysfunction or dysregulation, which can trigger or worsen autoimmune diseases. Chronic stress can contribute to chronic inflammation. 80% of autoimmune patients had emotional or physical stress at the onset of their autoimmune disease. Moreover, the stress of being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, such as lupus, dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, can cause significant additional stress. So, reducing stress, such as meditation, has a positive effect on improving and controlling autoimmune diseases.
Sleep Deprivation:
According to a UCLA study, a single sleepless night can trigger immune system’s inflammatory response or increase inflammation. Even a modest loss of sleep can cause more inflammation. Thus, getting ample sleep can help lower inflammation and improve an autoimmune patient’s condition.
Leaky Gut:
Leaky gut is when the intestine’s barriers do not prevent toxins and foreign things and leak them directly into the blood stream. This condition creates the inflammation in the bloodstream and autoimmune conditions arise. This also indicates gut microbiota isn’t healthy and good bacteria balance must be restored. Probiotics can help reverse the leaky gut by re-balancing the appropriate equilibrium of good and bad bacteria in the gut lining.
Understanding Underlying Causes
My focus on the underlying causes to my own autoimmune disease, dermatomyositis, is the approach of functional medicine. The primary objective is to identify potential underlying causes to a patient’s health problems and to address those underlying causes. Then, the symptoms can subside or can be eliminated completely. Dr. Mark Hyman even has a TedTalk on Functional Medicine. Today’s “modern medicine’ focused obsessively on treating the symptoms by throwing the best and top of the line drugs, such as immunosuppressant drugs, rather than addressing the multiple underlying factors that trigger and intensify autoimmune disease. As a result, my mindset has been focusing on identifying my own underlying causes and taking actions one step at a time towards optimal health.