--- title: What Are The Autoimmune Diseases? description: What are the autoimmune diseases? An estimated 14 - 25 million people in the US are affected. image: https://blog.primohealth.com/hs-fs/file-16118204-jpg/images/autoimmune-sm-resized-600.jpg --- [![Primo Health - Daniel Sanelli](https://blog.primohealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PHC_LogoCR_HUBSPOT.png?width=400&height=154&name=PHC_LogoCR_HUBSPOT.png "Primo Health - Daniel Sanelli")](https://www.primohealth.com) - [About](https://www.primohealth.com/about-daniel-sanelli) - [Program](https://www.primohealth.com/functional-blood-chemistry-analysis) - [Store](https://www.primohealth.com/primo-health-store) - [How to Shop](https://www.primohealth.com/primo-health-store) - [Primo Health Store](https://primohealthcoach.gethealthy.store) - [FullScript Dispensary](https://us.fullscript.com//welcome/primohealth) - [Apex Energetics Store](https://www.myhcpstore.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.primohealth.com) - [Contact](https://www.primohealth.com/contact-daniel-sanelli) [Back to blog](https://blog.primohealth.com) # What Are The Autoimmune Diseases? ![Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/18cc72d6b6902b69f00313c2a3004f25) [Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.](https://blog.primohealth.com/author/daniel-sanelli-m-sc) Jun 6, 2011 8:00:00 AM [gluten sensitivity](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/gluten-sensitivity) [immune health](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/immune-health) ![Autoimmune Disease](https://blog.primohealth.com/hs-fs/file-16118204-jpg/images/autoimmune-sm-resized-600.jpg) #### Autoimmune Diseases are becoming more and more prevalent in our world. It is estimated that somewhere between 14 - 25 million people in the United States are affected by an autoimmune condition (that's about 8% of the population).  And that number is rising. An autoimmune disease is an illness where defects in the immune system cause it to attack its own cells, tissues and organs. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly the cause of autoimmunity. However, it is believed that one third of the risk factor is heredity and genes. The other risk factors include environmental triggers and lifestyle choices like nutrition which may affect the health of the immune system.  More women than men are affected by autoimmune conditions. In fact these diseases are the leading cause of death amongst the young and middle aged women. Most frequently they occur during the childbearing years, perhaps even triggered by pregnancy. Autoimmune conditions tend to run in families, hence the heridatary factors previously mentioned. Common autoimmune diseases are Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Lupus, Type 1 Diabetes, Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) and Celiac Disease. But there are over 80 of these chronic, and often disabling, illnesses of the immune system. It is common to attribute the origin of these diseases to the affected organs. For example, many think that Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease of the joints. However, it's essentially an illness of the immune system that just happens to be attacking the joints. Celiac Disease too is often considered an illness of the digestive system because it tends to display symptoms of bad digestion and because it is triggered by eating gluten. But Celiac Disease is actually another disorder of the immune system that often attacks the digestive tract. Actually the digestive system is not the most affected system in Celiac Disease. It is now understood that the brain and nervous system is being attacked in Celiac Disease. There are many nerves in the digestive system, which is why many who have Celiac Disease complain of digestive symptoms. Most who develop Celiac Disease have a genetic predisposition as well as experience the environmental trigger of eating gluten. ### TREATMENTS FOR AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE There is no known cure for autoimmune diseases. However, the functional medicine approach attempts to control the frequency and severity of the attacks. Those with autoimmune diseases experience flare-ups of the condition with times of calm in between. The flare-ups tend to get worse as time passes. And the results of destroyed tissue produce greater symptoms as years go by. By making good lifestyle and nutritional adjustments, the autoimmune sufferer may be able to slow down the progression of the condition and also better manage its severity. #### Would you like to discuss nutritional approaches to managing your autoimmune condition? Sign up today for a FREE 15 minute virtual consulation with Primo Health Coach! [![Click me](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/100332/f1e88d4d-bcc7-4ef6-b0db-c126e7e61215.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/100332/f1e88d4d-bcc7-4ef6-b0db-c126e7e61215) View Comments Hide Comments [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.primohealth.com/bid/66736/What-Are-The-Autoimmune-Diseases) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.primohealth.com/bid/66736/What-Are-The-Autoimmune-Diseases) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.primohealth.com/bid/66736/What-Are-The-Autoimmune-Diseases) ## Related Articles ## [Tonifying the Colon with Triphala](https://blog.primohealth.com/tonifying-the-colon-with-triphala) ![Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/18cc72d6b6902b69f00313c2a3004f25) [Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.](https://blog.primohealth.com/author/daniel-sanelli-m-sc) Apr 23, 2015 2:00:00 PM ![Tonifying the Colon with Triphala](https://blog.primohealth.com/hubfs/images/colon-health-blog.jpg) [immune health](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/immune-health) [herbs & botanicals](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/herbs-botanicals) [smart supplementation](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/smart-supplementation) Constipation and improper elimination seem to be at an all-time high in many societies today. As a result, people looking for natural solutions may turn to ongoing... [Read More](https://blog.primohealth.com/tonifying-the-colon-with-triphala) 0 Comments ## [Candida Symptoms And Treatment](https://blog.primohealth.com/bid/65683/Candida-Symptoms-And-Treatment) ![Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/18cc72d6b6902b69f00313c2a3004f25) [Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.](https://blog.primohealth.com/author/daniel-sanelli-m-sc) Jun 1, 2011 10:50:00 PM ![Candida Symptoms And Treatment](https://blog.primohealth.com/hs-fs/file-16131813-jpg/images/stomach-pain-resized-600.jpg) [whole foods](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/whole-foods) [immune health](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/immune-health) [digestive health](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/digestive-health) Many people have heard of yeast infections, and maybe even something called Candida Albicans. Candida Albicans is a type of yeast that lives in our digestive tract. We... [Read More](https://blog.primohealth.com/bid/65683/Candida-Symptoms-And-Treatment) 0 Comments [![Primo Health - Daniel Sanelli](https://blog.primohealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PHC_LogoCR_HUBSPOT.png?width=400&height=154&name=PHC_LogoCR_HUBSPOT.png "Primo Health - Daniel Sanelli")](http://primohealth.com) Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram --- Copyright © 2026, Primo Health Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Use