WHEN THE BODY ATTACKS ITSELF: AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

What do rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and psoriasis have in common?

As you probably already know, these diseases affect different organs and tissues of the body. They don't seem to have anything in common, however, they are all autoimmune diseases . In this blog we will talk about these types of diseases that affect approximately 20% of the population, so if you want to know a little more, stay and keep reading (I promise not to go on too long).

Autoimmune diseases are those in which the immune system, whose main function is to protect us from diseases and infections, is altered and attacks our own healthy cells, tissues and organs. When this attack occurs towards a specific organ or tissue, they are known as organ-specific (e.g. diabetes mellitus I and myasthenia gravis). On the other hand, when it is not selective and causes a generalized alteration, a systemic autoimmune disease occurs (e.g. lupus, multiple sclerosis, pernicious anemia, Crohn's disease). More than 100 autoimmune diseases have been described, some of which are more frequent and others, however, rare.

But to fully understand this alteration we must know how the immune system works.

1. The first level or barrier that pathogens (which are the causers of diseases) must cross to access the host (us) is timeless, meaning that it is always there and non-specific, it does not recognize the pathogen that is entering. This barrier is composed of the skin (its pH and sebaceous secretion), the mucous membranes (of the respiratory and digestive tract), saliva, the pH of the stomach, bile salts and pancreatic enzymes. They constitute what is known as natural, innate or native immunity .

2. The second level of defense is activated 24 hours after the pathogen enters and has a certain specificity. In this case, the defenders are molecules and cells (cytokines, macrophages, dendritic cells, etc.) that circulate through the body and when they detect an invader they capture and destroy it, preventing it from spreading throughout the body. This level is known as induced innate immunity.

 

3. Finally, the third level is the acquired or adaptive immunity . This response is specific and depending on the immune system involved, it can be humoral or cellular.

• Cellular immunity is formed by T lymphocytes that release toxic substances called cytokines and natural killer cells.
• Humoral immunity is formed by B lymphocytes that produce antibodies (immunoglobulins) that neutralize the external invader.

Therefore, the immune system is characterized, among other things, by specificity , tolerance to the organism itself, the memory to respond more quickly to the same pathogen and by being self-limiting , that is, once the pathogen is destroyed, the response ceases or disappears.

However, in autoimmune diseases, this acquired immune response that we have talked about is activated against certain compounds in our own body. In these cases, the autoimmune system stops being tolerant towards certain parts of our body and recognizes them as foreign. Furthermore, this situation is usually chronic because it does not stop. The self-attack on parts of our body usually produces inflammation (in most cases) that can be linked to the symptoms experienced.

The cause The cause of many autoimmune diseases is not clear, but there are certain triggers that are believed to affect the development of an autoimmune disorder. In people with a genetic predisposition, triggering factors are also necessary, such as excessive sun exposure, infections, smoking, diet, sex, history, among others.

Diagnosis can sometimes be difficult, as the symptoms of these diseases can resemble those of many others. Symptoms vary depending on the disease, but some may include:

• Redness, heat, pain and swelling in one or more parts of the body
• feeling of constant tiredness and fatigue
• Joint pain and stiffness without previous trauma
• Muscle aches or weakness
• Skin problems such as rashes, sores, and dry or flaky skin
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fever that comes and goes
• Loss of appetite

However, if an autoimmune disease is suspected, there are analytical and imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis.

As for the treatment of these diseases, they are based on the suppression of part or all of the immune function to avoid this reaction to our own body. These treatments help to manage the symptoms, although they do not cure the disease and, like any other treatment, they have side effects. Fortunately, in recent years there has been increasing research in this field and this has allowed patients to receive therapies that help them lead a normal life or prevent the progression of the disease. There is still a long way to go, but research will lead to the expansion of knowledge about these diseases and the discovery of new therapies that allow their control or cure.

Depending on the autoimmune disease, there are habits that could help control symptoms. For example:

• Reduce consumption of ultra-processed foods and eat healthily
• Avoid the consumption of toxins such as alcohol, tobacco, etc.
• Introduction of food supplements (always consulting a health professional) such as vitamins, minerals or probiotics.
• Maintain physiological biorhythms and get enough sleep
• Practicing physical exercise adapted to each person's situation
• Reduce stress as much as possible

Autoimmune diseases are complex and diverse, I hope this blog has helped you understand them and that you have found them interesting.

Written by Maria Caballero

Pharmaceutical