The Growing Impact of Autoimmune Diseases: Definition, Statistics, and Effects
As our world becomes more advanced in healthcare, the prevalence of people suffering from autoimmune diseases continues to rise. It’s unclear whether this increase is due to improved technology and scientific discoveries leading to more diagnoses or if environmental factors and geographical locations play a role. Regardless, it’s evident that life with autoimmunity not only impacts physical health but also mental health, financial health, and productivity. Before delving into these impacts, let’s first define autoimmune diseases and share some relevant statistics.
Autoimmune disease is a condition where the body’s immune system fails to differentiate between healthy cells and harmful external cells. As a result, the immune system attacks the body’s cells, impairing its ability to fight off infections and potentially causing the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Joint pain or swelling
- Skin issues
- Abdominal pain or digestive issues
- Recurring fever
- Swollen glands
According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), over 50 million Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases, making it a significant public health concern (source: AARDA).
As we proceed, we’ll explore the far-reaching effects of autoimmune diseases on various aspects of life, emphasizing the importance of awareness and support for those affected.
If the term “autoimmune” doesn’t sound familiar, you may know someone dealing with an issue related to one of the more than 80 types of autoimmune disorders that can affect various body parts. Some of these illnesses include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis – An arthritis that attacks the joints
- Psoriasis or Psoriatic Arthritis – a skin condition that causes thick and scaly patches of skin, potentially attacking the joints simultaneously
- Lupus – a disease that attacks the joints, skin, and organs
- Thyroid disease – diseases causing too much or too little hormone production, leading to weight gain, weight loss, or swelling
- Type 1 diabetes – Immune system damages insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, causing high blood sugar levels that can affect the heart
Understanding Risk Factors: Gender, Genetics, Environment, Ethnicity, Nutrition, and Health Conditions
According to experts, people assigned female at birth between the ages of 15 and 44 are more likely to develop an autoimmune disease than people assigned male at birth. However, gender and genetics are not the only factors. Other common risk factors include:
- Environmental factors – Exposure to sunlight, mercury, chemicals like agricultural solvents, cigarette smoke, and bacterial or viral infections may raise your risk of autoimmune disease.
- Ethnicity – Caucasians are more likely to develop autoimmune muscle disease, while African American or Latine people have a higher risk of contracting illnesses like lupus.
- Nutrition – Our diet may impact the risk and severity of an autoimmune disease. Proper nutrition can be vital in managing autoimmune symptoms.
- Other health conditions like obesity can contribute to autoimmune issues affecting joints, thyroid, or insulin production.
By understanding these risk factors, we can make more informed decisions about our health and better manage autoimmune conditions.
Managing Autoimmune Disorders: Seeking Assistance, Embracing Change, Acceptance, and Raising Awareness
Living with an autoimmune disorder doesn’t have to be a death sentence, but if left unmanaged, it can negatively impact both your physical and mental health. Some of these illnesses may be visible to others and can cause stigma or embarrassment. Here are ways to help you manage your health when faced with an autoimmune disorder:
Seek Medical Assistance
Your doctor may prescribe treatments to help manage your specific autoimmune issue. Since many autoimmune disorders share similar symptoms, a proper diagnosis can help you tailor your approach to managing your illness effectively.
Lifestyle Changes
Nutrition, physical activity, and relaxation techniques are essential in managing autoimmune disorders, particularly those affecting the bowels or muscles. Adopting these changes becomes vital, not optional.
Acceptance
Stress often triggers autoimmune issues, so accepting your condition and focusing on managing it is key to maintaining your mental and physical health.
Raising Awareness
With over 80 different autoimmune issues, not everyone may be familiar with them. Encourage empathy and understanding among loved ones who may be unaware of your condition. Discussing your needs, such as nutrition or accessibility, can build a bridge to better understanding.
Adopting a Supportive Diet: The Whole30 Approach
Living with rosacea often leaves my face feeling uncomfortable, with stress and diet contributing to flare-ups. To alleviate the symptoms and soothe the itchiness, I prioritize my food choices and temporarily adopt a Whole30 approach to eating until the symptoms subside. While I find this diet restrictive for long-term use, it serves as an effective short-term solution to minimize my discomfort and the visible redness on my face. Balancing my dietary needs and managing stress levels have become essential components of managing my rosacea and maintaining overall well-being.
For those unfamiliar with the Whole30 approach, it consists of two phases: a 30-day elimination phase and a subsequent 10-day reintroduction phase. There are both plant-based and animal protein-inclusive versions of the diet. Personally, I tend to follow the plant-based routine most of the time, primarily due to the benefits provided by beans and legumes.
In both plans, added sugars (real or artificial), dairy, animal protein (if following the plant-based plan), alcohol, grains, soy, baked goods, pasta, cereal, chips, fries, and weighing oneself are prohibited during the 30-day period. This elimination process reduces body inflammation rather than focusing on weight loss or tracking calories, which I find a positive aspect of the program.
Green Goddess Soup: A Whole30-Inspired, Nutritious Delight
Drawing inspiration from Whole30, I’m excited to share a favorite plant-based soup recipe. Soup is a perfect way to enjoy vegetables, being easily portable, freezable in ice cube trays, and offering warmth on chilly days.
This versatile recipe can be enjoyed as a snack or a side dish at any time of day. Packed with protein, calcium, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals, it promotes overall health and well-being. Despite its creamy texture, this soup contains no dairy, making it suitable for a variety of dietary needs.
Green Goddess Soup
Equipment
- 1 Soup Pot
- 1 Vitamix To blend soup after the vegetables are cooked. If you dont have a blender, a hand blender is just as good.
Ingredients
- 940 ml Low sodium vegetable broth When adding the vegetables to the pot, make sure that the broth completely covers them. The liquid should be enough to boil the vegetables for 60 minutes, or until they are very soft. Boiling the vegetables until tender will make blending them in the liquid a much easier process, resulting in a smoother and creamier soup.
- 1 medium broccoli crown
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 medium white onion diced
- 1/2 large cauliflower
- 1 cup dried navy beans Cannellini beans, which are also commonly referred to as navy beans, are the type of bean used in this recipe. Canned beans can also be used as an alternative.
- 1 jalapeno Dice the jalapeño pepper. If you enjoy a spicy kick, keep the seeds in while dicing, as they contain most of the heat.
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 dash iodized salt
Instructions
- If you're using dried beans, soak them overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility. However, if you're using canned beans, there's no need to soak them beforehand. In that case, simply drain and rinse the beans before adding them to the soup.
- Prepare the cauliflower and broccoli by chopping them into florets of similar sizes. This ensures even cooking and helps to achieve a consistent texture in the soup. Smaller florets will also blend more easily and create a smoother consistency.
- Coarsely dice the garlic, onion, and jalapeño. This doesn't need to be too precise, as the vegetables will be blended later. Just make sure the pieces are small enough to cook evenly and release their flavors into the broth. Remember to adjust the amount of jalapeño depending on your preferred level of spiciness.
- Preheat a large pot over low to medium heat. Once the pot is warm, add some avocado oil and then the diced garlic, onion, and jalapeño. Sauté these ingredients until they are lightly browned and fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Once the garlic, onion, and jalapeño have been sautéed, add the beans and chopped cauliflower, and broccoli florets to the pot. Pour in enough vegetable broth to cover all of the vegetables, ensuring that they are fully submerged.
- Allow the soup to simmer over low to medium heat until the vegetables are extremely tender and easily fall apart when tested with a fork. This should take about 60 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure that the vegetables are cooking evenly and not sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Once the vegetables are fully cooked and tender, it's time to blend the soup until it reaches a smooth and creamy consistency. You can either transfer the soup in batches to a high-speed blender, such as a Vitamix, or use an immersion blender directly in the pot. Blend until the soup is smooth and free of lumps, but be careful not to over-blend, as this can affect the texture.
- Your creamy and flavorful plant-based soup is now ready to serve! For a delicious final touch, garnish each bowl with a dollop of coconut cream. If you're looking for a heartier meal, pair the soup with a lettuce wrap grilled chicken sandwich. This combination provides a satisfying balance of flavors and nutrients, making it a well-rounded and delicious meal.
Embracing a Support Network: Professionals, Resources, and Compassion for Autoimmune Management
In conclusion, if you or a loved one are affected by an autoimmune disorder, don’t hesitate to seek help from various resources. While your preferred medical professional or specialist can provide valuable guidance, consulting a registered dietician or naturopath can offer insights into potential trigger foods and help eliminate those that don’t support your health.
Addressing autoimmune issues and maintaining a restrictive diet may lead to stress and disordered eating, so it’s beneficial to consult a mental health professional to understand and manage the psychological impact. Regardless of your chosen approach, remember to practice compassion and understanding. Autoimmunity is irreversible and can be challenging, painful, and difficult to diagnose. However, with a clear management strategy, quality of life and pain management can be achieved with commitment and support.
Sources:
Ana-Maria Orbai, M.D., M.H.S. “What are Common Symptoms of Autoimmune disease?”. John Hopkins Medicine, John Hopkins University. Accessed May 29 2024. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/what-are-common-symptoms-of-autoimmune-disease
“Understanding Autoimmune Diseases: When your body turns against you.” NIH News in Health, National Institutes of Health, June 2022, https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2022/06/understanding-autoimmune-diseases
Stephanie Watson, “Everything to know about autoimmune diseases”, healthline, healthline media llc. Mar 4 2024, https://www.healthline.com/health/autoimmune-disorders
