by Dr. Aikaterini Raka*
Autoimmunity is the dysfunction of the immune system, which stops recognizing certain cells of the body as its own and perceives them as foreign. The result is the production of antibodies and toxic substances that cause inflammation, leading to chronic damage to tissues and organs. Chronic inflammation presents periods of flare-ups and remission. During flare-ups, the damage is often irreversible.
Approximately 5% of the global population suffers from autoimmune diseases—a number believed to be significantly higher due to undiagnosed cases. 80% of patients are women, mainly in the postmenopausal phase of their lives
What triggers autoimmunity
The predisposition to develop autoimmune diseases is usually hereditary. However, for the disease to be activated, external factors are also required. These may include infectious agents, intense stress, exposure to toxic substances, metabolic conditions (such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, etc.), and nutritional deficiencies (e.g., in minerals, trace elements, and vitamins). The presence of antibodies alone is not sufficient to cause autoimmunity. In order for an autoimmune disease to manifest, the cells must already be affected by another underlying cause.
The most common autoimmune diseases
Systemic autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are quite common and mainly affect collagen. Some others target specific tissues and organs, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, etc., while there are also those that affect the gastrointestinal mucosa, like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and more. Autoimmune conditions can also affect the skin (e.g., psoriasis, vitiligo), as well as the nervous system (e.g., multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, etc.).
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms are usually general and non-specific, including unexplained fatigue, low-grade fever, sun sensitivity, joint, muscle and tendon pain or swelling, emotional disturbances, bowel irregularities or nutrient malabsorption, micro-bleeds, and more.
Autoimmune diseases are diagnosed by a rheumatologist, who examines the patient’s medical history and clinical presentation. With the help of a pathologist and a well-equipped clinical laboratory, markers such as the rheumatoid factor, lupus cells, lupus anticoagulant, and certain antibodies can be detected. It should be noted that in 25–30% of cases, lab tests may come back negative (seronegative autoimmunity), so the diagnosis relies more on the clinical examination and patient history.
Autoimmune diseases significantly impact quality of life by affecting organ function and even the physical appearance of the body. Treatment includes immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, and biological agents, and is determined by a specialist doctor depending on the patient's symptoms and condition.
How to safeguard ourselves
Prevention is the key to shielding our body against autoimmunity. It involves:
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle
- Engaging in regular physical activity
- Maintaining a balanced diet
- Avoiding stress and exposure to toxic substances
- Undergoing annual medical checkups, especially for individuals with a family history of autoimmune conditions
Our health is our greatest asset. Autoimmune diseases serve as a reminder of how complex and sensitive our body is — and how essential it is to protect it through prevention and regular monitoring, in order to preserve our quality of life.
*MD, Medical Biopathologist–Microbiologist & Scientific Director of the BIOIATRIKI Healthcare Group in Cyprus
