What Causes Autoimmune Disease?

When it comes to autoimmune disease, there are usually multiple causes that trigger an overreaction, which results in an attack on healthy tissues. Because there are usually multiple contributing factors, it can be a complicated process to pinpoint exactly what the sources are. This is why it’s important to work with a doctor who’s willing to take the necessary time to sift through all the potential contributors so you can create a personalized treatment plan.

With that in mind, there are a few factors known to contribute to autoimmune disease, these include:

• Dysbiosis (gut microbiome imbalance)
• Leaky gut
• Environmental toxin exposure
• Infections
• Excessive use of antibiotics
• Very poor diet
• Chemotherapy
• Certain prescription drugs
• Mold exposure

To successfully treat autoimmune disease, you must identify factors that are contributing to your immune system dysregulation. If you take medications for autoimmune symptoms, they simply mask the issue and can make it harder to know exactly what’s going on. This can perpetuate the condition and make treating the underlying condition more difficult.

This is why we recommend looking for the root cause of autoimmune disease. When we systematically go through potential causes and work to correct and reverse each, only then can patients experience a boost in health and return to life.

If you think you have an autoimmune disease, ask yourself which of these above factors could be contributing to your issues. Take the necessary steps to reduce the impact of each on your life and make an appointment with a functional medicine doctor who specializes in autoimmune diseases immediately.