Come to Stillness Inflammation & Wellness Center in Huntsville, TX for your Autoimmune relief.

Autoimmune

Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy tissues. There are more than 80 known autoimmune conditions, and they can affect nearly any organ system, including the joints, skin, thyroid, digestive tract, nerves, and blood vessels.¹²

Autoimmune diseases are typically chronic and may involve periods of flare-ups and remission. The exact cause is not fully understood, but research suggests a combination of genetic, environmental, hormonal, immune, and lifestyle factors.³

Common Symptoms and Signs:

In a healthy immune system, the body identifies and attacks harmful invaders such as bacteria and viruses. In autoimmune conditions, this system becomes dysregulated and mistakenly targets healthy cells.

Common autoimmune diseases include:

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Hashimoto Thyroiditis
Graves Disease
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Multiple Sclerosis
Type 1 Diabetes⁴

Autoimmune conditions often involve complex interactions between immune regulation, inflammation, and tissue-specific damage.

Symptoms vary widely depending on the specific disease and organs affected, but many autoimmune conditions share overlapping symptoms.

General Symptoms

Fatigue
Low-grade fever
Muscle aches
Joint pain
Swelling or inflammation
General malaise

Neurological Symptoms

Brain fog
Numbness or tingling
Headaches
Dizziness
Weakness

Skin Symptoms

Rashes
Redness or discoloration
Dry or scaly skin
Sensitivity to sunlight

Digestive Symptoms (in some conditions)

Abdominal pain
Bloating
Diarrhea or constipation
Food sensitivities

Flare Pattern Symptoms

Periods of worsening symptoms (flare-ups)
Periods of reduced symptoms (remission)⁵⁶

Because symptoms overlap across many conditions, diagnosis often requires specialized medical evaluation.

Common Stressors:

Emotional Stressors

Stress does not directly cause autoimmune diseases, but it may influence immune activity and symptom severity.

Chronic Stress

Long-term stress may affect immune regulation and inflammation levels.

Emotional Trauma

Past traumatic experiences may influence immune system function and symptom expression.

Anxiety and Depression

Mental health conditions are more common in individuals with chronic autoimmune disease and may worsen perceived symptom severity.

Workplace Stress

Burnout
High demands
Job insecurity
Occupational pressure

Relationship Stress

Family conflict
Caregiving responsibilities
Social isolation
Emotional strain

Major Life Events

Loss of a loved one
Financial hardship
Divorce
Major transitions⁷⁸

Psychological stress may contribute to symptom flare-ups and fatigue.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are having these issues, please make an appointment to talk about your options, complete some test, and then we will develop a plan to fit you.

Make An Appointment

Resources:

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) – Autoimmune Diseases Overview
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Autoimmune Diseases Research
Mayo Clinic – Autoimmune Disease Overview
MedlinePlus – Autoimmune Diseases
Cleveland Clinic – Autoimmune Diseases
Johns Hopkins Medicine – Autoimmune Disorders
American Psychological Association – Stress and Health
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) – Stress and Mental Health
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Sleep and Immune Function
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Chronic Disease and Health
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – Nutrition and Inflammation
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) – Digestive and Immune Health
World Health Organization – Environmental Health
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Health and Environment Topics