Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s cells. Common types of autoimmune diseases include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Grave’s/Hashimoto’s disease, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and even psoriasis with the belief that both genetic and environmental factors potentially cause them. Diagnosis is challenging but possible with the right testing and doctors who have the specialized expertise.
Autoimmune diseases impact millions of people every single day— including many who have not been properly diagnosed or received the right treatment. With so little thorough understanding of these conditions, it can be tough to get proper care.
This article explores the most common types of autoimmune diseases, as well as the importance of finding the right doctor to secure proper testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
What Is An Autoimmune Disease?
The immune system is designed to fight off foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses and keep the body healthy. Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system mistakenly begins attacking itself. These attacks can destroy healthy cells and target a long list of organs and tissues.
The result? A variety of symptoms and health problems.
Here are some of the most common types of autoimmune diseases.
Common Autoimmune Diseases
While an autoimmune disease is one in which the immune system attacks itself, each has its characteristics that distinguish it from the others.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), more commonly known as just Lupus, is a complex autoimmune disease that can impact many organs, including the skin, joints, kidneys, and even the brain. The symptoms associated with it are widespread and can include anything like joint pain, fatigue, skin rashes, and fever.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease of chronic inflammation that affects the joints. It can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness, and may even lead to permanent damage.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
This disease focuses on the central nervous system as it damages the protective layer around the nerves. It can cause muscle weakness, balance, vision, and other neurological issues.
Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
These autoimmune diseases attack the thyroid gland— a tiny gland responsible for many processes throughout the body. Graves’ disease causes the thyroid to overproduce, leading to weight loss, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and heat intolerance.
Hashimoto’s, on the other hand, is when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough, causing weight gain, fatigue, and cold intolerance.
Type 1 Diabetes
Believe it or not, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder as the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to regulate blood sugar levels.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Several conditions fall under this disease, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. This results in chronic inflammation within the digestive tract causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Psoriasis
Finally, autoimmune diseases can affect the skin, as they do with psoriasis. It is a condition in which there is rapid skin cell turnover that leads to thick, scaly patches of skin.
What Causes Autoimmune Diseases?
There is no specific explanation as to what causes autoimmune diseases or why some individuals have them and others do not. Research reflects a possible combination of genetic and environmental factors that play a role.
It is believed that certain genes can make an individual more susceptible to developing an autoimmune disease than others. At the same time, those with specific genes are not guaranteed they will ever develop any autoimmune issues.
Infections, toxins, and even certain medications have been uncovered as triggers for autoimmune diseases in those who have these genes. For example, Lyme disease from tick-borne infections is known to cause an autoimmune response in some patients.
There is some question as to whether or not hormones may play a role since more women than men seem to be diagnosed with these conditions.
The Difficulty of Diagnosing Autoimmune Diseases
Medical professionals find diagnosing autoimmune diseases a challenge. Many of the symptoms that are experienced are common in other conditions. And some diseases mimic other health conditions entirely.
When presenting with your condition, it is common for doctors to take a look at your medical history and perform a physical examination. Expect them to ask a lot of questions that you will want to answer as thoroughly and honestly as possible.
Testing
Proper testing is crucial for uncovering an autoimmune disease. Blood tests can detect specific autoantibodies that can prove the body is attacking its own tissues. Imaging tests like MRIs and CT scans are great for assessing damage to tissues and organs.
Unfortunately, if you are not seeing the right doctor, the right tests will not be performed. And, even if they are, there is no guarantee that an inexperienced doctor will make the connection so that you get the right treatment.
To be diagnosed and receive the treatment you need, you must find the right doctor.
Become a Patient at Lyme Mexico Clinic
Struggling with an autoimmune disorder can be frustrating and significantly impact your quality of life. This is even exacerbated when you don’t have the right medical team providing effective care for you.
What if the ‘right’ doctor was just across the border? What if all you had to do was travel to the Lyme Mexico clinic in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico? That’s where you will find Dr. Omar Morales and his team of autoimmune experts. Travel outside the country, such as outside the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, or New Zealand, and find alternate treatments that will give you the relief you have been hoping for.
You will find alternative treatments by professionals who understand how to approach your autoimmune disease so that you can stop dealing with the doctors who don’t.
Schedule a consultation and become a patient today.
Conclusion
Autoimmune diseases represent a complex and diverse group of conditions in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its healthy cells, tissues, and organs. While the exact causes of conditions like lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Type 1 diabetes are not fully known, researchers agree that there seems to be a genetic and environmental connection.
Getting diagnosed and finding treatment – including alternative treatments – requires finding the right doctor. Once you do, you can feel confident that it just may improve your quality of life.