Autoimmune Disease

What is an autoimmune disease?

Your immune system consists of a complex network of specialized cells and organs that coordinate their actions to protect you from bacteria, viruses, and other foreign invaders.

A key part of the immune system is the ability to identify and target dangerous cells and substances. To do this, the immune system creates antibodies that recognize foreign invaders as soon as they enter your body.

When you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system mistakenly identifies a molecule or molecules in your own body as harmful. As a result, your immune system begins attacking your normal, healthy cells, causing damage instead of preventing it.  Only 8 to 10% of the population will ever develop an autoimmune disease. It is thought that in order to develop an autoimmune disease, you must inherit a set of genes that makes your immune system more active than average and you must then be exposed to a certain trigger or set of triggers in the environment that cause an autoimmune reaction to occur.  In general, triggers are anything that causes inflammation in the body, for example an infection, a vaccine, and surgery or other trauma.

What are the most common autoimmune diseases?

More than 80 autoimmune diseases have been identified, representing a diverse group of disorders that typically affect women more often than men. It’s estimated that 75% of all patients with autoimmune disease are women.

Some of the most common autoimmune diseases are well-known health conditions, while others aren’t as familiar:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Type 1 (juvenile-onset) diabetes
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
• Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism)
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Sjӧgren’s syndrome
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
• Polymyositis and dermatomyositis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Guillain-Barre syndrome

Although autoimmune diseases tend to run in families, a specific type of autoimmune disease is not usually inherited. More commonly, there may be five family members who develop five different autoimmune diseases.

What are the symptoms of autoimmune disease?

Autoimmune diseases generally cause inflammation and bodywide symptoms. Some have more specific symptoms, such as Sjӧgren syndrome, which causes dry eyes and mouth, and rheumatoid arthritis which causes joint swelling. But most autoimmune diseases also cause non-specific symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Low-grade fever
• Brain fog
• Joint pain
• Insomnia

Their non-specific, multisystemic symptoms often lead to a delay in a specific diagnosis from being made. Without the help of a specialist like Dr. Schofield, many patients struggle to get an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

How are autoimmune diseases treated?

Dr. Schofield devotes extra time to each patient, aiming to get to the true cause of your symptoms that allows the development of a customized treatment plan. With the goal of improving your quality of life, your treatment plan may be just as multifaceted as your symptoms.

You may receive medication, dietary advice including how to follow an anti-inflammatory diet, a plan for relieving stress, and recommendations for exercise that are safe and improve your symptoms. Some patients require therapies targeted at the immune system.

At the Center for Multisystem Disease, the team focuses on the whole person, improving your symptoms and preventing disease flare-ups. They also strive to develop a community of people with similar health problems that may provide emotional support.

If you have symptoms and can’t find answers, you can count on Dr. Schofield’s expertise in diagnosing and managing autoimmune disorders. To schedule an appointment, call the Center for Multisystem Disease or book an appointment online.

Click here to watch Dr. Schofield discuss IVIG Therapy for Autoimmune Dysautonomias