Autoimmune disorders – symptoms, causes & natural approach

Autoimmune diseases have tripled in prevalence over the last 50 years and are still on the rise, with incidences increasing at ranges between 3% and 9% year on year.

What is an autoimmune disease?

Autoimmune disease happens when our immune system (which is supposed to protect us from microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria and parasites) turns against us and attacks us by mistake. It can attack different cells, tissues and organs in the body. There are over 80 autoimmune diseases that have been identified so far, with some of the more commonly known conditions including:

• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – the thyroid gland is attacked by the immune system, leading to an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
• Rheumatoid arthritis – cells that line your joints are targeted by the autoimmune reaction, causing joints and surrounding tissues to become swollen, stiff and painful
• Type 1 diabetes – immune system destroys cells within the pancreas that produce the blood sugar-regulating hormone insulin
• Crohn’s disease – segments of the gastrointestinal tract are affected causing abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fever, abdominal distension, fatigue and weight loss
• Multiple sclerosis – myelin sheaths which protect the nerve fibres carrying messages to and from the brain are targeted by the immune system, causing scarring (known as sclerosis)
• Lupus – immune system targets healthy tissue, causing inflammation of the skin and joints, and can affect internal organs

Signs and symptoms of an autoimmune disease

With unusual autoimmune diseases, patients may suffer years before getting a proper diagnosis because the symptoms may not be specific and can look like other health problems. But even with more common diseases, initial symptoms are often intermittent and unspecific until the disease becomes acute. Some of the signs and symptoms may include:

• Feeling tired, weight gain, hair loss
• Feeling cold when others aren’t, cold hands and feet
• Numbness or tingling sensation in your hands/feet
• Dry skin, mouth and eyes
• Loss of skin pigmentation
• Unexplained weight loss, rapid heartbeat, feeling “wired”, difficulty sleeping, feeling hot
• Joint and muscle pain, muscle weakness or tremors
• Poor memory, “brain fog”, inability to focus or concentrate
• Multiple miscarriages
• Blood or mucus in the stool, abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhoea
• A butterfly shaped rash on the face, hives, or unexplained rashes

How common are autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune diseases affect around 4-6% of people and this percentage is continuing to rise. Many autoimmune conditions are becoming more common, with some such as Coeliac increasing in incidence by as much as 9% each year.
Collectively, autoimmune diseases affect more than 24 million people in the United States and about 4 million people in the UK. It’s estimated that up to a third of the four million people affected in the UK live with more than one autoimmune condition, so having one autoimmune disease increases the risk of developing additional ones.

What causes autoimmunity?

Although the causes of many autoimmune diseases remain unknown, a person’s genes in combination with infections and other environmental exposures are likely to play a significant role in disease development.
It’s understood that three things are required for autoimmunity to develop.

1. Genetic predisposition
2. Environmental factors which are the triggering events (e.g. bacterial or viral infections, food intolerances, toxins)
3. Intestinal permeability (aka leaky gut)

Is an autoimmune disease treatable?

Although medications are available for many autoimmune diseases, autoimmunity is not curable. The medications are used to suppress the symptoms of the overactive immune system. Sometimes surgery may be recommended to remove badly damaged tissue.

An alternative approach, which can be done alongside medications and other medical treatments, is finding and addressing underlying causes of poor health along with balancing the immune system and calming down the inflammation. By doing so, it’s possible to lessen the severity of the symptoms, or even resolve them, and create lasting wellness as a result.

Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) – a natural approach to autoimmune conditions

Even though autoimmunity is not curable, there is a lot you can do to improve the situation, regain a better quality of life and take back control of your health.  Autoimmunity is an immune system problem, hence by addressing the underlying immune system imbalances it’s possible to balance and improve the function of the immune system. This can lead to improved health and better quality of life.

One of the tools I use in my practice to support my autoimmune clients is the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP). It’s a science-based dietary and lifestyle approach that helps regulate the immune system by:

• repairing the gut
• addressing nutrient deficiencies
• balancing hormones

You can learn more about the AIP in the article I wrote: www.annapinnock.co.uk/autoimmune-protocol-aip/

For many people with autoimmune conditions, including those who still experience symptoms despite being on medications, AIP can further reduce the symptoms. If you’re interested in finding how effective AIP can be, I wrote about it here: www.annapinnock.co.uk/effectiveness-of-aip-in-my-clinic/

On top of improving the nutrient density of your diet and lowering inflammation, the AIP protocol also incorporates positive changes to lifestyle (stress, sleep, movement, social support) as they can have a profound positive impact on the immune system.

Most people will improve on properly implemented AIP protocol. However, if the AIP is not giving you the desired outcomes, potential blockers should be investigated, such as:

• SIBO
• Viral, bacterial, yeast and parasitic infections
• Toxins, pollutants, heavy metals, moulds

Where to start?

If you’d like to find out more or have any questions, please book a free 20-minute inquiry call. I’ll help you make sense of your condition and honestly advise you about changes that need to be made for you to start reclaiming your health. As a nutritionist specialising in autoimmune conditions and an Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) coach, I can help you improve your diet and modify your lifestyle so that you have the best chance of living as comfortably as you possibly can.