The term autoimmune disease covers various diseases that are caused by a misdirected immune reaction. This disorder causes
the immune system to attack parts of the body as if they were dangerous pathogens. A well-known example is
multiple sclerosis (MS). In western industrialized countries, autoimmune diseases affect
around five percent of the population, with women being at greater risk. In recent years, medical research has succeeded in constantly improving treatment options and thus increasing patients' quality of life. The exact triggers of the respective disease are still unknown and causal therapies do not exist either. The German Society for Autoimmune Diseases lists around fifty different clinical pictures on its website. The best-known diseases include
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Why immune cells attack the body's own tissue in certain cases instead of fighting off pathogens is not yet fully understood. Some autoimmune diseases are triggered by antibodies from allergic cross-reactions. Antigens from viruses or bacteria are very similar to the body's own structures. The immune system is then unable to correctly identify the foreign structures.
In many cases, so-called autoantibodies can be detected: These are defense cells formed by the immune system that are directed against very specific cells or tissues of the patient's own body and subsequently trigger an autoimmune disease.
The misdirected immune reaction leads to
inflammation and can affect
any organ. For example, if the body directs its immune cells against the
nervous system, the person affected develops multiple sclerosis.
Graves' disease, on the other hand, occurs when the body targets the glandular system. Autoimmune diseases usually manifest themselves through non-specific symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- dry mouth
- fever
- diarrhea
- muscle pain
- Kidney pain
This selection of possible symptoms makes it clear: the symptoms are diffuse and usually have a harmless cause that a doctor can treat well. However, it takes a while for the doctor to diagnose an autoimmune disease. In addition to a detailed medical history, he or she will need numerous blood and tissue tests, known as
autoantibody screening.Medicine has not yet been able to explain exactly why the
immune system attacks the body's own systems. However, research results suggest that it is a combination of different causes that triggers the autoimmune disease. The
risk factors include
- Incorrect programming during special situations (such as infections or pregnancy)
- genetic factors
- Environmental factors, for example stress or pollutants
- Loss of tolerance of the immune system
Misprogramming of the immune system may be caused by infections, medication or during pregnancy. If a virus enters the body, the immune system forms so-called antigens that fight the intruder. If the virus has similar structures to the body's own tissue, the antigens can also attack this tissue.
The renowned scientific journal Nature also published an international study on the significance of genes. The results indicate that the predisposition to an autoimmune disease is inherited within a family. However, parents do not pass on the disease itself directly to their offspring.
Environmental factors such as pollutants or stressful living conditions influence the severity of the disease and promote or inhibit its development. The hygiene hypothesis, for example, assumes that excessive hygiene during childhood is harmful. It inhibits the development of a healthy immune system. Another triggering factor is the loss of tolerance of the immune system. In medicine, this refers to the body's ability to distinguish between its own tissue and foreign tissue. If the immune system loses this ability, the body becomes the victim of its immune reaction.
After diagnosis, the doctor will discuss the therapy with the patient. In the case of an autoimmune disease, there are several options:
- Drugs that act on the immune system
- Stem cell therapy
- psychotherapy
- Occupational therapy and physiotherapy
- Nutritional counseling
A central pillar of treatment is medication that suppresses the immune system. This immunosuppression causes difficulties: in addition to protecting the affected organs, the medication prevents the body from protecting itself against infections. Doctors therefore adjust the dose very precisely to the individual case. Stem cell therapy is an ethically controversial option for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Stem cells have a special feature: they have no fixed function, such as skin cells or nerve cells. The type of cell that develops from them depends on the environment in which they develop.
Psychotherapeutic support is also advisable to make it easier for those affected to deal with the diagnosis. Otherwise, there is a risk of mental illness, such as an adjustment disorder or depression. After a flare-up, special occupational and physiotherapy can help to improve physical fitness and motor skills. For some autoimmune diseases, such as coeliac disease or diabetes, a diet is also an important part of the therapy. Nutritional counseling helps patients to create a balanced meal plan that is tailored to their needs.
Autoimmune diseases cannot yet be cured by medicine. However, there are numerous, very effective remedies available that can have a beneficial effect on the course of the disease and alleviate symptoms. Depending on the diagnosis, severity and personal characteristics, the course of the disease varies from case to case. Diseases such as multiple sclerosis occur in episodes. The consequences of a relapse either disappear completely (full remission) or residual symptoms remain (partial remission).
As the disease progresses, the doctor may make a further diagnosis. For example, diabetes often occurs together with coeliac disease. This type of illness changes the life of the patient and those around them. But you are not alone in this. An interdisciplinary team accompanies the therapy and helps to cope with the physical and psychological consequences. In addition, regional self-help groups and advice centers support those affected in living a life worth living.
