My hobby: collecting Autoimmune Diseases.

I took the step to reignite Around Arthur’s Table because I recognised that it was time to make some changes in my life, due in part to my need for better health – both mentally, physically, and spiritually (for those who were not aware, this space was a crafting and lifestyle blog a few years ago which is how I discovered my love of writing). Whether or not I’m skilled enough as a writer is irrelevant to me: the creative outlet is somewhat soothing, and most definitely therapeutic; and if someone enjoys reading along then all the better. Recognising the need for change came about partially because I had just been diagnosed with my third Autoimmune Disease: a metaphorical smack to the side of the head from the universe to let me know that I could not continue to ignore the more subtle hints that had been swung my way for the last four years or so. Major lifestyle change is due.

What is Autoimmune Disease? Basically, the dumbed down version of this answer is that Autoimmune Disease is the title given to a group of illnesses that are believed to be caused by our own immune system attacking itself. The job of the immune system is to detect and eliminate harmful pathogens within the body (eg bacteria or viruses), thereby keeping us healthy. However in people with Autoimmune Disease – for what ever reason, and we still don’t really know why – our bodies detect some of our own cells as foreign, and begin to wage their war on our own body systems.

Around 1:20 Australians experience Autoimmune Disease, with women making up the larger portion of sufferers. You’ve probably heard of some and not even realised they were Autoimmune in origin: Type 1 Diabetes; Coeliac Disease; Multiple Sclerosis; Lupus; Rheumatoid Arthritis to name a few (there are more than 80 which we know about). My collection includes (in order of appearance): Psoriasis; Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis; and Polymyalgia Rheumatica.

Science has not yet come up with any solid evidence to prove exactly what it is that causes an individual’s body to start attacking itself. Generic theories are generally based around the presence of a genetic predisposition which is then triggered by an infection, stress, some medications, dietary issues, lifestyle or even UV light. There is also increasing evidence surrounding the impact of an unhealthy gut microbiome on the development of Autoimmune Disease. Alternate theories surround the impact of vaccinations on the development of Autoimmune Disease (although I do feel obliged to mention here that at the time of writing, there is a lack of available reliable scientific evidence to support this theory – of course a lack of evidence does not mean the theory does not hold some merit). As to which caused what in an individual, we are somewhat in the dark. What science does know is that once you have one Autoimmune Disease, the likelihood of that individual developing more increases. Hence the little collection I have going on. 

 

Me? I have a definite genetic predisposition, with autoimmune issues running throughout my maternal family tree. I also test positive to the presence of Epstein-Bar Virus (Glandular Fever) which has been implicated in the development of multiple Autoimmune Diseases. Funny, I don’t ever recall having the infection, but it’s there in my bloodwork.

However, it is the impact of excessive stress that I feel has been the biggest causative factor in my own Autoimmune journey. As I mentioned above, I have three Autoimmune diseases. On reflection, each has presented itself following three separate periods of particularly lengthy and intense stress and trauma. The pattern is obvious. Three times the universe has tried to send me little signals that things needed to change (in the form of stressful situations) and then when I didn’t listen: three times she has had to smack me up the side of the head to get me to do just that! Unfortunately for me, Autoimmune Disease tends to be lifelong and without cure. Bummer. 

Wouldn’t you think I would have learned, if not the first time at least the second?

And so here I am. Attempting to harness my creativity in an effort to make the changes I need to improve my physical, emotional and spiritual health. Thanks for following my journey. For those who are interested, in the coming weeks I’ll have a chat about the story surrounding each Autoimmune Disease in my little collection. 

 References and Reading List:

Health Direct: An Overview of Autoimmune Diseases 
Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy: Autoimmune Disease   
The conversation: Explainer, What are Autoimmune Diseases?  
Garvan Institute of Medical Research: A trigger that likely unleashes Autoimmune Disease 
Medline Plus: Autoimmune Diseases 

NOTE: The opinions and ideas expressed in this and other posts on Around Arthur's Table are the intellectual property of the Author, unless otherwise stated. Any ideas outside of the Author's own are referenced accordingly. If you wish to use or refer to words and ideas expressed here, please reference and link back to Around Arthur's Table. All photographs used are also the intellectual property of the author, unless otherwise stated - if you wish to use these, please contact the Author for permission.