Autoimmune Diseases: Triggers & Tests

Autoimmune disease is a disorder where your body attacks your own tissue. The prevalence for autoimmune disease is rising.

If you’ve been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, you’re probably wondering why you didn’t have it two years ago. What changed? Can it be turned around?

The most common trigger to autoimmunity is a pathogen. A bacteria, virus or mold can jump-start a condition. These pathogens hang around and their destruction causes collateral damage. Your body has antibodies that react five to ten years before you get the first symptom. Some autoimmune diseases don’t ever cause symptoms in some people.

Your immune system is worn down by stress, lack of sleep, toxins and processed foods. It’s harder for it to recover when it’s being taxed so heavily.

Listen as Dr. Mark Engelman joins Dr. Susanne Bennett to break down how autoimmune disorders are trigger and how to test for them.