Autoimmune Disease and Stress: Is there a link?
In this post, we’ll explore some of the research on the link between autoimmune Disease and Stress, and discuss potential implications for managing these conditions.
There is increasing evidence that there is a relationship between stress and autoimmune diseases.
While the nature of this relationship is still being investigated, researchers are beginning to understand some of the ways that stress may contribute to autoimmune disease development or exacerbation.
This knowledge can be valuable for people living with an autoimmune disease, as well as their caregivers.
It is also called the guardian of our galaxy – the immune system.
“Your immune system is a large network of organs, white blood cells, proteins (antibodies), and chemicals.” Says Cleveland clinic.
Our immune system protects our bodies from diseases, viruses, harmful bacteria, and infections coming from outside. It serves as a great and natural protection against these dangers from attacking our cells.
Its vital role in our body can fight germs and other dangerous substances that may affect our health and well-being. That is why we need to take care of and value this system.
This system is necessary for our survival.
Furthermore, according to new studies, stress has contributed to affecting our immune systems negatively.
Stress is part of our daily lives and it affects our well-being however, according to recent studies, stress can be linked to autoimmune diseases.
In this article, let us find out how stress and autoimmune diseases can be connected to each other affecting our natural protection against harmful foreign particles.
What is autoimmune disease?
Now that we know the idea and the main functions of our immune system and what it does to our bodies, the next is to dive into what are autoimmune diseases.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, autoimmune disease happens when the body’s natural defense system can’t tell the difference between your own cells and foreign cells, causing the body to mistakenly attack normal cells.
Autoimmune disease can also be transmitted through inheriting. This may be the effect of genetics and the environment.
There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases that can be detected in many parts of our bodies.
These conditions may result in abnormal and unusual growth of organs and destruction of tissues in our muscles and bodies.
It causes us to be weak and may result in a worsening condition.
According to MedlinePlus, the exact cause of autoimmune disorders are unknown.
It is also said from a theory that some microorganisms such as bacteria and other viruses may trigger changes that may confuse the immune system.
Organs such as where blood vessels, joints, muscles, glands, connective tissues, skin, and red blood cells will be affected due to these sorts of diseases.
Here are examples of autoimmune diseases:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Vitiligo
- Celiac disease
- Osteoporosis
- Type 1 diabetes
- psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis
- Lupus
- Juvenile Spondyloarthritis
- Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Addison’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Though, symptoms vary in autoimmune diseases.
What is stress?
Stress is the feeling of being unstable, emotional pressure, causing tension to our brain nerves, and a natural reaction from certain events.
Although stress in some scenarios can be a normal feeling, it can be a chronic and serious condition when it worsens.
Many factors and situations in our lives can contribute to our stress levels.
It can be triggering especially when there is negativity around us, having traumatic experiences, feeling pressured, adjusting and adapting to many changes, worrying, abuse, experiencing violence, break-up, financial problems, family issues and so much more.
Signs of stress are headaches and pains, exhaustion, lack of sleep, high blood pressure, digestive issues, dizziness, shaking, palpitation, and a lot more causing tensions in different parts of our bodies.
We deal and cope with stress differently and we experience this due to many factors in our lives.
It can either be physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, social, financial, or psychological.
Serious conditions caused by too much stress are depression, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.
What is the connection between autoimmune diseases and stress?
A new study led by Dr. Huan Song from the University of Iceland in Reykjavik has found that stress can be linked to many autoimmune diseases.
From having over 100,000 people with stress disorders linked with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease.
Also according to a source from Harvard, studies have raised the possibility that stress may cause autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis because it found a higher incidence of autoimmune diseases among people who were previously diagnosed with stress-related disorders.
Stress or these emotional reactions are caused by trauma and other stressors causing attacks to attack the body’s immune system that is supposed to protect you from many diseases and other viruses.
Many factors affecting our stress levels change microorganisms in ways that can trigger certain immune responses.
“We know that there’s strong crosstalk between the immune system and the microbiota,” according to senior study author and immunologist Orly Avni, Ph.D.
According to Dr. Song, treating stress will help reduce the risk of developing autoimmune diseases. Such as applying many behavioral approaches such as treatments, medications, behavioral therapy, etc.
By mentioning the statements of Dr. Song in regards to treatments with stress, according to Daniel El-Bogdadi, MD, FACR Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates, P.C, we can manage stress through these seven tricks.
- Get plenty of sleep because lack of sleep may increase the risks of depression and other diseases.
- Proper diet.
- Staying hydrated.
- Exercising regularly.
- Managing and organizing your time.
- Identify destructive types of stress and seek help to better manage.
- Laugh often and enjoy things because many studies show that laughter and being positive boost the immune system.
In conclusion with the question, if there is a link between autoimmune diseases and stress, according to studies, there is definitely a connection between the two.
Stress triggers our immune system causing us to have higher chances and possibilities of getting autoimmune diseases such as lupus, type 1 diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and many more.
Although in studies, they are still wondering why, and remains a mystery what is behind the underlying mechanism with this topic.
That is why it is vital for us to protect our bodies and for ourselves to always take care of ourselves by being productive, having healthy habits and routines, and of course, being mindful of our day-to-day activities.
Self-care is not a luxury but it is a prioritization that needs to be done for us to protect our immune system.
Without the immune system, we would be most likely to get easily sick and open from attacks of many viruses, infections, parasites, and harmful bacteria.
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They help us to be healthy and not be weak.
The immune system is truly a functional system where it protects our bodies to fight off viruses and other foreign cells and particles which can result in many autoimmune diseases.
If you are feeling stressed lately and notice any unusual abnormalities in your body, it is always best to check up with your doctors to test you.
