An autoimmune condition occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells and tissues. Normally, the immune system protects the body from harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses. However, in autoimmune conditions, the immune response is misdirected, leading to inflammation, tissue damage, and impaired function of affected organs.

Acutely the symptoms of inflammation may present as flushed skin, pain or tenderness, swelling and heat. Our energy is lowered too, we may feel more sleepy.

In chronic inflammation the signs may include:

• Abdominal pain.

• Frequent infections.

• Fatigue and/or insomnia.

• Chest pain.

• Fever.

• Joint pain or stiffness.

• Mouth sores.

• A skin rash.

• Depression, anxiety and other mood disorders.

• Gastrointestinal (GI) issues, like diarrhoea, constipation and acid reflux.

• Weight gain or weight loss.

Read about the difference between acute and chronic inflammation here.

Diagnostically, examples of autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, Fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, eczema / atopic dermatitis, Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis /autoimmune thyroiditis, Interstitial cystitis, Lyme disease, Ménière’s disease, Raynaud’s syndrome, scleroderma, vasculitis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and many more.

Conventional approach to autoimmune conditions

The conventional approach to autoimmune conditions focuses on identifying specific immune system malfunctions where the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues. This is a very narrow, reductionist approach. Treatment approach tends to include immunosuppressive medications such as corticosteroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologics aimed at reducing immune activity and managing symptoms. This approach emphasises symptom control and slowing disease progression rather than addressing potential underlying causes of immune dysregulation. It is a form of suppression rather than healing or cure.

We often hear people speak of ‘I will fight my disease’ or ‘this person lost the battle to such and such illness’. This is often part of our problem in the first place: the battle that leads to a divide within.

Our body is not our enemy, but a complex, finely-tuned system designed to support every moment of our life. Every heart beat pumps life-giving blood, every breath brings in oxygen to fuel our cells, and every nerve signal coordinates our movements and senses.

When we're tired, our body is telling you to rest and recover. When we feel pain in acute situations, it's a warning system protecting us from harm. In chronic conditions the ‘danger itself is gone’ but our immune system is still in a state of fight and continues to signal danger.

Understanding autoimmune conditions from a holistic, epigenetic perspective

1. We know that your body wants and CAN heal. This need not be a belief, just straight knowing based on many many examples we hear of. For me, this comes from being a witness to my own healing and releasing of physical symptoms, my child’s and that of those that I have worked with.

2. We need to go to the root cause of the problem rather than trying to get of the symptom, because:

3. Symptoms are only the ripple effect of what is going on on a deeper level.

4. We need the right conditions - environment to heal: this ranges from oxygenation through air and food we eat, our thinking, adequate rest, sleep, helpful relationships with oneself (self compassion), others, the environment (desensitisation may be appropriate here).

5. Understanding and addressing the body as an interconnected system rather than focusing solely on individual symptoms. For example the symptoms may show up in the joints but the cause of inflammation is the gut or in case of migraines, we do well to address any hormone imbalances and liver balance.