Do People with Autoimmune Disease Get Sick Easier?

Autoimmune diseases happen when the immune system attacks the body’s healthy cells and tissues. In the U.S., over 24 million people have an autoimmune disease. Almost 80 percent of them are women. We know how hard these conditions are for patients.

At Liv Hospital, we see that autoimmune diseases come from an overactive immune response. This response damages the body’s own tissues. With more than 100 autoimmune diseases, we tailor care to meet each patient’s needs.

Key Takeaways

• Autoimmune diseases affect over 24 million people in the U.S.
• Nearly 80 percent of those affected are women.
• Autoimmune diseases result from an overactive immune response.
• Managing autoimmune diseases requires a complete care plan.
• Liv Hospital offers customized care for autoimmune disease patients.

Understanding Immune vs Autoimmune Responses

Our immune system fights off infections. But in autoimmune diseases, it attacks our own cells, causing health problems. It’s meant to protect us, but in these diseases, it sees healthy cells as enemies.

What Happens in Autoimmune Disease?

In autoimmune diseases, the immune system sees healthy cells as threats. This leads to health issues. It makes autoantibodies that harm the body’s own tissues, causing inflammation and damage.

The exact cause of autoimmune diseases is often unknown. But it’s thought that genetics and environmental triggers play a big role. For example, some infections or substances can start an autoimmune response in some people.

Statistics and Prevalence in the United States

Autoimmune diseases affect many people in the United States. About 24 million Americans have them. Women are more likely to have them than men.

Common Types of Autoimmune Conditions

There are over 100 types of autoimmune diseases. They can affect almost any part of the body. Here are a few examples:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): A condition that causes inflammation in the joints.
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus): A disease that can affect multiple organs, including the skin, joints, and kidneys.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis that cause chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A disease that affects the central nervous system, leading to symptoms like numbness, weakness, and vision problems.
• Type 1 Diabetes: A condition where the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Increased Susceptibility to Infections in Autoimmune Patients

Autoimmune conditions change how the body fights off infections. When you have an autoimmune disorder, your immune system can’t tell the difference between good and bad cells. This leads to damage or destruction of healthy tissues.

Immune Defense Alteration

Autoimmune diseases mess with the body’s immune system. This makes it hard for the body to fight off infections. People with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis often get sick more often.

Several factors make autoimmune patients more likely to get infections:

• The immune system can’t tell self from non-self.
• Chronic inflammation weakens the immune system over time.
• Immunosuppressive drugs make it harder to fight off infections.

Severity and Duration of Illnesses

Autoimmune patients not only get infections more easily, but they also get sicker for longer. Their immune systems can’t handle germs as well as healthy people’s can. For example, a simple cold can turn into a serious illness in someone with an autoimmune condition.

The severity and length of illnesses in autoimmune patients come from:

1. An immune response that can’t keep infections under control.
2. Infections can make autoimmune diseases worse, creating a cycle of illness.

Compromised Defense System

The body’s defense is weakened in autoimmune patients. The immune system is busy fighting the body’s own tissues. This takes away from the body’s ability to fight off germs, making it more vulnerable to infections.

To lower the risk of infections, people with autoimmune diseases should:

• Practice good hygiene, like washing hands often.
• Avoid being around sick people.
• Get all recommended vaccinations.

Factors That Further Increase Infection Risk

Autoimmune patients face a higher risk of getting sick. Certain factors can make this risk even higher. It’s important to know these factors to manage and prevent infections in autoimmune patients.

Impact of Immunosuppressive Medications

Medications like corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapies are used to treat autoimmune diseases. They help manage symptoms and reduce inflammation. But, they also weaken the immune system, making patients more likely to get infections.

The National Institutes of Health says these therapies can greatly increase the risk of infections in autoimmune patients.

These medications can make it harder for the body to fight off germs. This is a big concern for people with autoimmune diseases. It can make their condition worse and affect their quality of life.

Table: Common Immunosuppressive Medications and Their Impact on Infection Risk

Environmental Triggers and Preventive Strategies

Environmental triggers can also increase the risk of infections in autoimmune patients. Exposure to pollutants, smoking, and poor hygiene can weaken the immune system. It’s important to take steps to prevent these risks.

Preventive measures include good hygiene, avoiding sick people, and getting vaccinated. By managing environmental triggers, autoimmune patients can lower their infection risk.

Managing autoimmune diseases requires a complete approach. This includes medical treatment and lifestyle changes to reduce infection risk. By understanding and managing these factors, individuals with autoimmune conditions can improve their health.

Conclusion

Autoimmune diseases and primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD) are closely related. They show how complex the human immune system is. Knowing about immune disorders and their effects on the body is key to managing them.

People with autoimmune diseases often get sick more easily because their immune system is weak. Taking medicines that weaken the immune system can make this problem worse. So, finding a balance between treatment and prevention is very important.

Understanding what causes immune disorders helps us create better treatment plans. This knowledge lets us manage symptoms better and lower the risk of infections. It’s all about knowing how immune disorders affect the body.

Managing autoimmune diseases well needs teamwork. Patients, caregivers, and doctors must work together. This way, we can make life better for those dealing with these complex conditions and help their immune systems.

FAQ

References

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21624-autoimmune-diseases