What are autoimmune diseases – and can they be cured?

What are autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, which can lead to damage to specific or multiple organs and tissues. These diseases affect around 8-10% of the world’s population and can lead to a significant reduction in quality of life.

Examples of autoimmune diseases include type 1 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and inflammatory bowel disease (Source: Sundhed.dk).

Symptoms of autoimmune diseases

The symptoms of autoimmune diseases can vary significantly depending on the specific disease as well as which parts of the body are affected.

However, common symptoms include:

• Chronic fatigue: Persistent exhaustion that does not improve with rest.
• Pain and swelling: Especially in the joints and muscles, which is often seen in rheumatoid arthritis.
• Skin rash: Rashes and changes in skin color may occur – for example, in lupus.
• Fever: Unexplained fevers that come and go.
• Stomach problems: Including pain, diarrhea or constipation – often seen in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Nerve problems: Such as numbness and tingling, which can occur with multiple sclerosis, among other things.

(Source: Min Medicin)

New research and treatment options

Scientists have made significant progress in understanding and treating autoimmune diseases. One of the most promising developments is the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to create “disease in a dish” models. These models allow us to study disease mechanisms and test new treatments in a controlled environment (Source: Frontiers)​.

IPSC technology has the potential to lead to new therapies – including cell therapy and regenerative medicine, which can restore lost or damaged tissue.

Another exciting development is the discovery of specific proteins as potential targets for new therapies. Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna have identified a protein that could play a key role in the development of new treatments for autoimmune diseases, and this discovery could lead to the development of more targeted and effective therapies (Source: ScienceDaily)​.

See how you can learn more about your health through blood tests and Functional Medicine here.