The immune system of many people are unable to differentiate between healthy cells and invading microorganisms. This is leading to more suffering across the globe. Their organs and tissue are being attacked by disease defences which they had previously.
International research is being undertaken to stop the growing trend. This includes a project at London's Francis Crick Institute where two world-class experts, James Lee, and Carola Vinuesa have established separate research groups that will determine the causes of autoimmune diseases.
Lee explained to the Observer that the occurrence of autoimmune diseases began to increase about 40 years ago, in western countries. However, some cases are now occurring in countries that have not suffered from the disease.
The Middle East, East Asia and Africa have experienced the highest rise in cases of inflammatory bowel disease over the last few years. The patients had never previously experienced the disease.
Type 1 diabetes MS, IBD and rheumatoidarthitis all are autoimmune illnesses. In all instances the immune system is activated and turns on healthy tissue.
There are at most 4,000,000 people with autoimmune conditions in the UK as well as some suffering from multiple. According to international estimates, the number of patients suffering from autoimmune disorders is rising by anywhere from 3% to 9percent each year. Researchers believe that environmental factors are key to this rise.
Lee who was formerly in Cambridge University, says that our genetics haven't changed much over the last decade. There's a possibility that something is going on in the world outside which is increasing our vulnerability to autoimmune disease.
Vinuesa, a former student at the Australian National University, supported this notion. She highlighted the changes in diet as more countries were adopting western eating habits, and people were eating more fast food.
Vinuesa said that the absence of essential ingredients in fast-food food can cause a reduction in intake of important nutrients, including fibre.
These changes in microbiomes lead to autoimmune conditions. There are more than 100 different types.
The scientists both pointed out the significance of each individual's susceptibilities in acquiring such diseases. Lupus and celiac disease are two other diseases that can cause swelling and inflammation, which can cause damage to different organs which includes your heart.
Vinuesa said that "If you don't have a genetic susceptibility to autoimmune illnesses it is unlikely that you will develop one, no matter how many Big Macs your consume." "We have no way to stop the rapid expansion of fast-food chains all over the world. Instead, we are focusing on the genetic factors that trigger autoimmune disorders. We want to know why some Read More people are more vulnerable than others. We want to tackle the problem at this level."
Thanks to modern techniques, scientists can now pinpoint small differences in DNA among a large number of people. This allows them to determine common genetic patterns among individuals suffering from an autoimmune disease.
Lee says that although we had the technology for sequencing DNA to an extent up to a point however, it was not possible. My research revealed that there are about six DNA variants that were involved in the development of inflammatory bowel disease. Today, we have over 250.
Lee and Vinuesa are pursuing these kinds of research because they want to learn more Click here about how genetic pathways function and the underlying causes of the diverse illnesses that doctors are currently examining. Vinuesa believes it's now apparent that there exist numerous types of autoimmune disorders, like Lupus. They could all result from different genetic pathways. It is an issue when you are trying to determine the most effective treatment.
Many new therapies are in development and we don’t know who we should give them to. Since we don't have a clear understanding of their specific disease There are a variety of choices. This is a major goal in autoimmune research. For the right treatment, it is essential to understand how to classify and stratify patients.
Lee explained that the increasing incidence of autoimmune diseases across the world means new treatments and medications are urgently needed more than ever before. It's not possible to treat autoimmune illnesses. This is especially true when young people are trying to finish their education or get their first job and start families.
It means that more patients are scheduled for surgery or be required to receive regular injections throughout the course of their lives. It can be a painful time for patients and it can also put immense pressure on the health system. We require new and efficient treatments.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease, meaning it's caused by the immune system attacking healthy body tissue. But, we don't know what triggers it.
The immune system naturally produces antibodies to fight viruses and bacteria.
Your immune system might mistakenly send antibodies to your joints in the event that you have Rheumatoid. The antibodies attack surrounding tissue.
The thin layer (synovium) that is a protective layer on your joints, may become inflamed and inflamed, releasing chemicals to cause harm.
bones
Cartilage is the connective tissue between bones that is made up of cartilage.
The tendons are the tissue that connects muscle and bone
Ligaments - This is the tissue which connects cartilage and bones.
If the condition is not treated, it could cause the loss of joint alignment and shape. The joint can end up being destroyed. joint.
While there are many theories about why the immune system targets the joint, none of them have been proved.
Possible risk factors
There are many things that can increase your chances of developing rheumatoid arthritis, for example:
Your genes - There's some evidence that Rheumatoid arthritis is passed down through families. But the chance of it being passed to a child is very low as genes play a limited role in the condition.
Hormones – Rheumatoid arthritis is more prevalent in women than men. While this could be due to the effects estrogenic hormones on the body, the cause has not been established.
Smoking is a risky habit. There is evidence to suggest that smoking increases the likelihood of developing rheumatoidarthritis.