The immune system of a lot of people fails to differentiate between healthy cells and invader micro-organisms. This is creating greater suffering throughout the world. They are now being attacked by defenses against disease which were designed to defend the body from infection.
International research efforts are underway to stop this trend. An initiative based in London known as the Francis Crick Institute, has two world-renowned experts. James Lee & Carola Vinuesa created separate research teams to find the causes behind autoimmune disease.
Lee told the Observer that cases of autoimmune disease have increased in western countries about 40 years ago. We are witnessing some cases emerge in countries that had never seen such diseases before.
For instance, the largest recent spike in the number of cases of inflammatory bowel disease has occurred located in the Middle East and east Asia. The patients had never previously had the disease before.
Autoimmune diseases can range from type 1 diabetes to rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation of the bowel, and even multiple sclerosis. In each of these cases the immune system becomes confused and switches to healthy tissues over infective agents.
The UK has at most 4 million patients suffering from these diseases. There are also numerous other. In the world, it's thought that cases of autoimmune diseases are growing by between 3% and 9% a year. The reason for this is thought to be due to environmental factors, according most experts.
Lee who worked previously in Cambridge University, said that the human genetics of human beings hasn't changed in the last few decades. It appears that something is going on in the world outside which is increasing our vulnerability to autoimmune diseases.
Vinuesa an ex-student at the Australian National University, supported this concept. She mentioned the shifts in diets that occurred as more countries adopted west-style diets and people ate more fast-food items.
Vinuesa says that many fast-food foods lack important ingredients like fiber. This could alter the microbiome of a person, that is the accumulation of of micro-organisms found in our bodies and which plays a critical role in controlling different bodily functions.
These changes in microbiomes lead to autoimmune diseases. There are over 100 different types.
Both scientists stressed that there were individual susceptibilities to these illnesses. This includes celiac and Lupus. It causes inflammation and swelling, and may cause harm and even death to various organs, including the heart.
"If you don't have specific genetic susceptibility to autoimmune disease but you don't have to be at risk of developing an autoimmune disorder regardless of the amount of Big Macs you eat," said Vinuesa. "There is not a lot that we can do to halt the worldwide spread of fast-food Read More franchises. Instead, we're working to understand how autoimmune diseases occur and the genetic factors that cause certain individuals to be more vulnerable to the disease than others. We are determined to address this issue at the highest levels.
The development of modern technologies has allowed scientists to identify tiny differences in DNA between large groups of people. This is how it's possible identify common genetic patterns in patients suffering from an auto immune disease.
Lee explained that rheumatoid arthritis images the ability to sequence huge amounts of DNA has revolutionized everything. We didn't have this technology until the last few years. My research revealed that there were around six DNA variations that are involved in the triggering of inflammatory bowel diseases. We now know about 250.
Lee and Vinuesa have a particular focus of their efforts on this type of research. They want to learn more about the genetic pathways that are involved and determine the causes of diverse diseases they study. Vinuesa said that autoimmune diseases such as Lupus for instance are present in many forms, and could have different genetic reasons. It can be difficult to determine the best treatment.
There are many new therapies in development and we don’t know who to recommend these to. Since we don't have a clear understanding of the exact cause of their illness There are a variety of options. This is why research into autoimmune diseases is now a top priority. In order to provide the appropriate treatment, we need to learn how to classify patients.
Lee said that rising cases of autoimmune disease around the globe means that new treatments and medications are urgently needed more than ever before. Presently, there are no cures for autoimmune illnesses, which usually develop at a young age - as they attempt to finish their education, get their first job, and start families, he added.
This means that a rising number of people are having surgery or require injections regularly throughout the rest of their lives. This could be extremely difficult for patients, and puts a strain on health care systems. We need new and effective treatments.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease. It's caused when the immune system targets healthy tissue in the body. But, it's not known what triggers this.
The immune system creates antibodies that fight off viruses and bacteria, which helps you fight infections.
If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system mistakenly sends antibodies to the joint's lining which target the tissue around the joint.
The thin layer (synovium) that covers your joints, can become inflamed and inflamed which releases chemicals and cause damage.
bones
Cartilage is the connective tissue that connects bones.
Tendons connect bone to muscles
Ligaments The ligaments are the tissues which connects cartilage and bones.
If rheumatoid isn't treated it will cause the joint to loose its shape. The end result can be irreparable.
There are numerous theories as to the reasons why your immune system attacks your joints, including the possibility of an infection as a trigger. But none of them have been confirmed as true.
Possible risk factors
You may be at a higher the risk of developing rheumatoidarthritis when you perform the following:
The genes you carry - There is evidence that suggests that rheumatoid joint disease can be passed down in families. But, it's unlikely that you'll inherit the condition. Genes are thought to play a small part in the.
Hormones – Rheumatoid arthritis is more prevalent for women than for males. While this could be due in part to the effect of the estrogenic hormones on the body, it has not been established.
Smoking cigarettes - There is evidence that smokers are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.