In the world, more and more and more people suffer from the inability of their immune systems to differentiate between healthy cells or invaders microscopic organisms. Disease defences that once protected them are now attacking their tissue and organs.
International research efforts are accelerating to combat this trend. One instance is the London Francis Crick Institute initiative in which James Lee and Carola Vinesa two experts from around the world in this field, have created separate research groups that will assist in determining the exact causes of autoimmune disorders.
Lee stated to the Observer that cases of autoimmune disease have increased in western countries around 40 years back. However, some of these cases are now being seen in countries where they have never suffered from the disease.
The Middle East, East Asia and Africa have seen the highest rise in cases of inflammatory bowel disease in recent years. The patients had never encountered the condition before.
Type 1 diabetes is among the autoimmune disorders. Other ailments include rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation of the bowel, and multiple sclerosis. In all cases the immune system is activated and it starts to attack healthy tissues.
In the UK alone, around 4 million people are suffering from the condition, with some individuals suffering more than one. Internationally, it is now believed that the incidence of autoimmune illnesses are increasing by 3% to 9% a year. Researchers believe that environmental factors play a major role in this rise.
Lee who was previously at Cambridge University, says that our genetics haven't changed much over the past 10 years. Therefore, something is changing around the world in a way that is increasing our susceptibility to the autoimmune disease.
Vinuesa who used to be situated at the Australian National University backed the notion. She noted that changes in diet were taking place as more countries adopted Western-style diets, and more people were buying fast food.
Vinuesa states that many fast-food meals lack vital ingredients, such as fibre. The change could affect your microbiome, which is the collection of microorganisms present in our bodies that play a crucial function in controlling various bodily functions.
These changes in our microbiomes can trigger the development of autoimmune diseases, of which more than 100 have been diagnosed.
Both scientists stressed that there were individual susceptibilities to these illnesses. It includes celiac as well as Lupus. It triggers inflammation, swelling, and can cause death and damage to many organs, including heart.
Vinuesa said "If you don't have a genetic susceptibility to autoimmune illnesses there is no guarantee that you'll get one, regardless of the amount of Big Macs you consume." There's nothing we can do about the spread of fast-food chains around the globe. We're instead trying to discover how autoimmune illnesses are caused and what genetic causes cause certain individuals to be more vulnerable than others. We are determined to address this issue at the most fundamental degree.
Thanks to modern techniques, researchers are now able to pinpoint Click here tiny differences in DNA between large numbers of individuals. This is the way it's possible to determine common genetic patterns for people who suffer from auto immune disease.
Lee explained that we didn't have the equipment to sequence DNA prior to. In the present, we do have the incredible ability to sequence DNA on massive scales, which has made a huge difference to our daily lives. My study revealed that there are about six DNA variants that were involved in the trigger of inflammatory bowel disease. We now have over 250.
Such work lies at the foundation of Lee and Vinuesa's work that seek to figure out how the various genetic pathways work and decipher the many different types of disease doctors are now investigating. If you take a look at a variety of autoimmune diseases - for example, lupus - it has been made clear that there are a variety of different forms of these diseases, which could be caused through different genetic pathways Vinuesa said. If you're trying to determine the most effective treatment for your condition, this could be a problem.
Numerous new treatments are in development and we don’t know who to recommend these to. Since we don't know the exact cause of their illness There are a variety of choices. That is why autoimmune research has become a major focus. To give the arthritis rheumatoid treatment right treatment, we have to understand how to group patients.
Lee said that rising cases of autoimmune disease around the world means new treatments and medications are needed now more than ever before. At present, there are no cures to autoimmune diseases that typically develop in young people - while they are trying to complete their studies, secure their first job and raise families, Lee said.
This means that a rising number of people have to have surgery or will need regular injections for all of their lives. This can be very difficult for patients, and put a massive pressure on healthcare. It is imperative to find innovative, more effective treatments.
Rheumatoid is an auto-immune condition. This means that the immune system targets healthy tissue. It is not known exactly what triggers this.
Your immune system produces antibodies that fight off viruses and bacteria, helping you fight infection.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition where your immune system sends antibodies to your joints. They attack the joint tissue around the joint.
The thin layer (synovium), which covers your joints, may get inflamed and irritated and release chemicals that cause damage.
bones
Cartilage - The connective tissue that connects bones and cartilage
Tendons are the connective tissue between bone and muscles.
Ligaments are the connective tissue that connects bone and cartilage.
If rheumatoid arthritis does not get treated, these chemicals slowly make the joint lose its form and align. It can eventually cause the complete destruction of the joint.
There have been a variety of theories on why the immune system attacks the joints. One theory is that an infection could trigger. However, none of these theories have been proved.
Possible risk factors
You could be more at the risk of developing rheumatoidarthritis if you do the following:
Your genes - There is some evidence to suggest that the rheumatoid arthritis condition can be passed down through families. However, the probability of it being passed to children is not high since genes only play an important influence on the condition.
Hormones Rheumatoid Arthritis are more prevalent for women than in males. It could be due to the effects of the hormone Oestrogen. But this connection is not yet established.
smoking - some evidence suggests that smokers have a higher chance of developing rheumatoid joint