What 18% of 'Healthy' Indians Don't Know About Autoimmune Conditions

Did you ever wonder why some people's immune systems seem to work against them? In India, an alarming number of us are facing this invisible battle - autoimmune conditions, where our body's defense system mistakenly attacks healthy cells. Here's something that might surprise you: researchers in Delhi found that 18% of “seemingly healthy people” already show early signs of autoimmune problems.¹ That's nearly 1 in 5 people walking around with potential autoimmune issues without even knowing it! And with over 80 different types of autoimmune diseases identified, this isn't just a small concern. Here is the autoimmune disorder definition, along with the autoimmune disorders list, and their treatments.

What Do You Mean by Autoimmune Diseases?

Autoimmune diseases are a group of conditions where your immune system, which normally protects you from harmful invaders, starts attacking your own body instead. The immune system is your body’s built-in defense team. It detects harmful substances like viruses and bacteria and fights them off to keep you healthy.

However, when you have an autoimmune condition, your immune system gets confused and starts attacking your own tissues, leading to various autoimmune problems. This can cause chronic pain, fatigue, and inflammation, as your body’s healthy cells become the target. 

Autoimmune diseases can be long-term, meaning once you have one, you’ll need to manage it and its symptoms for life. Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis are just a few examples, but there are many more in the autoimmune disorders list. 

Common Types of Autoimmune Disorders

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

RA is one of the most common autoimmune conditions affecting the joints.

• Symptoms: Joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function, especially in the hands, wrists, knees, and feet.
• Causes: RA occurs when the immune system attacks the joint lining, but its exact cause is not well understood. Genetics plays a role in the development of this condition.

2. Skin Autoimmune Diseases

• Pemphigus: Causes blisters on the skin and mucous membranes, including the mouth and genitals.
• Psoriasis: Results in red, scaly patches on the skin.
• Scleroderma: Makes the skin tight and thick, and can affect internal organs.
• Dermatomyositis: Leads to muscle weakness and skin rashes.
• Sjögren’s Syndrome: Affects moisture-producing glands, leading to dry mouth and eyes.

3. Blood Vessels - Vasculitis

Vasculitis refers to inflammation of the blood vessels, which can cause a variety of symptoms depending on which vessels are affected.

• Types of Vasculitis:

1. ANCA Vasculitis: Affects small blood vessels and may lead to kidney damage.
2. Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA): Primarily impacts the respiratory tract and kidneys.
3. Buerger's Disease: Affects arteries and veins in the limbs, causing pain and sores.

‍

• Symptoms - Fever, rash, swelling, and pain in the chest, limbs, or abdomen.

4. Digestive System Autoimmune Diseases

Some of the most common digestive system autoimmune diseases include:

• Celiac Disease: Caused by a genetic predisposition, it occurs when gluten damages the intestines, causing bloating, diarrhea, and weight loss.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, leading to digestive pain, diarrhea, and fatigue.
• Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis: Results in pain, vomiting, and bowel obstruction.
• Ulcerative Colitis: Causes abdominal pain, and cramping.

5. Endocrine System - Autoimmune Endocrine Diseases

The endocrine system, which controls hormones in the body, is also vulnerable to autoimmune attacks. Some of the most common autoimmune endocrine diseases include:

• Diabetes Mellitus: The immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
• Hashimoto’s Disease: Leads to hypothyroidism as the immune system attacks the thyroid.
• Graves’ Disease: Causes hyperthyroidism, affecting the thyroid.
• Addison’s Disease: Impacts the adrenal glands, leading to insufficient production of hormones.

6. Nervous System- Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases affecting the nervous system can lead to serious symptoms, including weakness, numbness, and vision problems. Some of the most common nervous system autoimmune diseases include:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Damages the protective covering of nerves in the brain and spinal cord, leading to neurological issues.
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS): A rare disease that attacks the peripheral nervous system, causing weakness and sometimes paralysis.
• Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO): Affects the optic nerves and spinal cord, causing vision and movement issues.

Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune conditions are complex and can vary widely from one person to another. However, many autoimmune diseases share common symptoms that may indicate an underlying issue with your immune system. Here’s a closer look at what you might experience if you’re dealing with an autoimmune disorder:

• Fatigue - Feeling unusually tired, even after getting plenty of rest.
• Joint Pain and Swelling - Pain or swelling in your joints that might come and go.
• Skin Issues - Rashes, redness, or unexplained skin changes.
• Abdominal Pain or Digestive Problems - This could range from bloating to constipation or diarrhoea after eating.
• Recurring Fever - A low-grade fever that seems to return periodically.
• Swollen Glands - Lymph nodes or glands that become inflamed and tender.

Autoimmune Flares and Attacks

Many autoimmune diseases experience flare-ups. A flare is when your symptoms worsen or become more noticeable. These flare-ups can vary in intensity and may occur for no apparent reason, or they might be triggered by factors such as stress, food, or physical activity. 

Reasons For Your Autoimmune Disease

While the exact causes of autoimmune diseases are still not fully understood, experts believe that a mix of genetic and environmental factors contribute to their development. Here's a closer look:

1. Immune System Dysregulation

In autoimmune disorders, the immune system goes haywire, producing reactive cells called autoreactive lymphocytes that damage tissues. This dysfunction, along with inflammatory proteins, disrupts the balance of immune responses, leading to chronic autoimmune issues.²

2. Genetics

Did you know some autoimmune diseases can run in families? Studies show that genetic predisposition plays a role in developing autoimmune disorders.³ For instance, Crohn’s disease has a high genetic link, while conditions like Systemic Sclerosis have lower heritability. If autoimmune diseases are part of your family’s health history, pay attention to early symptoms.

3. Environmental Exposures

Our surroundings can trigger autoimmune conditions. Exposure to toxins like mercury, pesticides, air pollution, or even chemicals used in dry cleaning can increase oxidative stress, disrupting the immune system and heightening the risk of autoimmune diseases.⁴

4. Stress

Studies reveal that 80% of people experience high levels of stress before the onset of an autoimmune condition. Stress hormones like cortisol can interfere with immune function, leading to autoimmune problems.⁵

5. Infections

Certain infections can either trigger or worsen autoimmune disorders. Viruses like Epstein-Barr (EBV) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) have been linked to conditions such as Lupus. This happens due to a phenomenon called molecular mimicry, where the immune system mistakenly targets your own cells because they resemble foreign invaders. Interestingly, in areas with fewer parasitic infections, autoimmune diseases are on the rise.⁶

6. Gut Health

A healthy gut microbiome supports cells that keep the immune system in check, preventing autoimmune disorders. However, imbalances in gut bacteria (dysbiosis) can promote inflammation. A condition called leaky gut, where the intestinal barrier becomes overly permeable, allows toxins and microbes to escape into the bloodstream, triggering autoimmune responses.⁷

Reverse Your Autoimmune Conditions with iThrive

Imagine waking up feeling refreshed, energized, and free from the pain of autoimmune conditions that have been controlling your life. At iThrive, we don’t just mask symptoms - we heal from the root.

The iThrive Difference

We take a Functional Nutrition approach, digging deep to understand and eliminate the root causes of your autoimmune problems. Here's why thousands trust us to reverse their autoimmune conditions:

• Personalized Healing Plans: No two bodies are the same. Our team creates protocols customized to your bio-individuality, factoring in everything from your genetics to your lifestyle preferences.
• Holistic & Natural Solutions: We focus on healing through diet, targeted supplementation, and lifestyle changes - completely drug-free.
• Visible Results Beyond Weight Loss: Improved energy, better sleep, sharper focus, and freedom from symptoms like brain fog and digestive issues.

How We Work?

At iThrive, you get:

• A Root Cause Analysis (RCA) - both before and after your protocol.
• Advanced Test Interpretation to identify hidden triggers.
• A 9-day detox tailored to your unique needs.
• Handholding by expert Functional Nutritionists with real-time support.
• Daily progress tracking, diet reviews, and constant accountability.

Healing is easier when you're supported by a community that understands your journey. With iThrive, you become part of a lifelong tribe that shares health tips, recipes, and encouragement every step of the way.

Conclusion

Living with an autoimmune condition doesn't mean living a limited life. With the right understanding, support, and treatment approach, you can take control of your health journey. Early detection and proper management are your best allies while facing autoimmune challenges. Are you ready to start your journey towards better health? Book a free consultation with iThrive today. Our experts understand the complexities of autoimmune conditions and can help create a personalized path to wellness that works for you.

Your immune system might be confused, but your path to healing doesn't have to be. Let's figure this out together.

References

1. “Autoimmune Diseases.” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/autoimmune. 
2. Mackay IR. Tolerance and autoimmunity. West J Med. 2001 Feb;174(2):118–23. PMCID: PMC1071274. 
3. Ramos, P., Shedlock, A. & Langefeld, C. Genetics of autoimmune diseases: insights from population genetics. J Hum Genet 60, 657–664 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/jhg.2015.94
4. Khan MF and Wang H (2020) Environmental Exposures and Autoimmune Diseases: Contribution of Gut Microbiome. Front. Immunol. 10:3094. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.03094
5. Song H, Fang F, Tomasson G, Arnberg FK, Mataix-Cols D, Fernández de la Cruz L, Almqvist C, Fall K, Valdimarsdóttir UA. Association of Stress-Related Disorders With Subsequent Autoimmune Disease. JAMA. 2018 Jun 19;319(23):2388-2400. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.7028. PMID: 29922828; PMCID: PMC6583688.
6. Anaya JM, Shoenfeld Y, Rojas-Villarraga A, Levy RA, Cervera R, editors. Autoimmunity: From Bench to Bedside [Internet]. Bogota (Colombia): El Rosario University Press; 2013 Jul 18. PMID: 29087650.
7. F De Luca, Y Shoenfeld, The microbiome in autoimmune diseases, Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Volume 195, Issue 1, January 2019, Pages 74–85, https://doi.org/10.1111/cei.13158