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Stress and Autoimmune Disease

© Keri

No one can deny the citizens of the United States, indeed citizens of the world, are laboring under the weight of uncertain times. The talk of war and retaliation pervades our media worldwide. None of us can say what will happen in the next day or hour. Those with a propensity toward autoimmune diseases may be adversely affected by such chronic stress. Stress has been subjectively identified as a trigger for the development or exacerbation of such diseases including Hashimoto's thyroiditis (hypothyroidism) and Graves' disease (hyperthyroidism).

What is an autoimmune disease?

The term refers to a group of more than 80 serious diseases that may involve almost every human organ system. In autoimmune disease, one's defense system turns against the body that it was designed to protect. This misdirection can trigger diseases of nervous, endocrine (hormone) and digestive system. There are also many diseases of the skin and other connective tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Autoimmune disease affects many more women than men. In fact, 75% of the identified autoimmune diseases occur primarily in women. Individual diseases are rare, but together they are a major health problem. According to Women, a United Nations radio program, autoimmune disease is the third major cause of illness in the United States affecting over 50 million Americans.

What causes autoimmune disease?

The cause of autoimmune diseases as a group is hard to define. The autoimmune response is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Many of the diseases are familial, such as thyroid disease. Most become more common with age. Some are thought to be triggered by a viral infection, such as a cold or flu. Others are more common after pregnancy, like postpartum thyroiditis. The diseases that affect the connective tissue or skin may be related to exposure to sunlight, such as lupus.

Does stress cause autoimmune disease?

Stress is definitely a factor. Researchers have identified hormonal and cellular changes that occur in our bodies when we are under stress. Chronic stress is thought to be worse for our immune systems. When our body perceives an attack, we go into attack mode, often referred to as the "fight or flight" syndrome. This response to acute stress could be a lifesaver. However, after a period of chronic stress, our bodies can't keep up the fight and may produce less of these hormones leaving our tissues vulnerable to inflammation and disease.

This reaction also causes us to be more apt to contract an infection and to have difficulty combating it.

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