There are more than 80 different autoimmune diseases. Their symptoms vary depending on which part of the body is affected.
Your first symptoms of an autoimmune disease may be general and easy to push aside, such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and feeling off.
You might get dizzy easily, out of breath or have dry eyes. You may have a feeling of fullness in your throat, a small goiter, or troubles with redness on the skin.
Left unsupported, the immune system becomes taxed, nutrients that support its function deplete, and a weak immune response open the body up to easy infections and serious health risks.
Today I want to consider why this is on the rise and the reality of managing it.
Your Own Private Army
Your immune system consists of cells, tissues, organs, and chemical messengers all working together to defend your body against foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses, parasites, and toxins.
In an autoimmune disorder, there’s a disruption in the line of communication that your body relies on to differentiate between “self” and “non-self.”
Causes
- Stress – activates inflammatory pathways
- Toxins – cumulative toxic burden affects cell function
- Infections – bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic
- Gut health – gut lining integrity and microbiome balance
Tips to a healthy immune response
- Minimise daily stress
- Reduce toxic burden
- Heal the gut
- Follow an anti-inflammatory diet
