Our body is an amazing mechanism. It's like a well-protected fortress. This fortress has its own army that recognizes and destroys enemies like germs and infections. We call this the immune system. But, imagine what would happen if some of the soldiers in our own army got a little confused, couldn't tell who was friend or foe, and started attacking the healthy cells of our own body? That's what these `autoantibodies` are.
Simply put, what are antibodies and autoantibodies?
Let's understand this like this.
- Antibodies: These are the skilled, trained "soldiers" of our immune system. When something unwanted, such as a germ, virus, or bacteria, enters the body, these soldiers identify the enemy, target it, and destroy it. This is what should happen in a healthy body.
- Autoantibodies: These are the misguided, confused soldiers among those skilled soldiers. Instead of destroying external enemies, they mistakenly think of our own healthy cells and tissues as "enemies" and start attacking them. It's like throwing stones at our own house.
When parts of our own body begin to be damaged in this way, it can lead to various autoimmune diseases.
What diseases can be caused by autoantibodies?
Because autoantibodies attack different parts of the body, different diseases can occur depending on where the damage occurs. You may have heard of some of these.
| Name of the disease (Disease) | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Type 1 Diabetes | Damage to insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | Pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. |
| Lupus | A disease that can affect many organs, such as the skin, joints, kidneys, and brain. |
| Multiple Sclerosis (MS) | Damage to the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. |
| Psoriasis | Red, scaly patches on the skin due to rapid growth of skin cells. |
| Graves' disease | Hyperthyroidism. |
This list is just a few examples. In addition, there are many other diseases that can be caused by this condition.
Why would our own body do something wrong like this?
Doctors and scientists are still unable to say with 100% certainty what the exact cause of this is. However, there are several key factors that are thought to contribute to the formation of these autoantibodies.
- Infections: Some severe viral or bacterial infections can put a lot of stress on our immune system, causing it to malfunction. At times like these, it is possible for autoantibodies to start being produced.
- Environmental factors: It is suspected that the environment we live in, exposure to air pollution, and exposure to certain chemicals may also be factors.
- Genetic predisposition: If your mother, father, or close family member has an autoimmune disease, you may have a predisposition, or risk, for developing the condition. But that doesn't mean you will definitely develop it. It's just a risk.
Sometimes, autoantibodies can develop for no apparent reason.
How do you find out if you have autoantibodies? What are the treatments?
The important thing here is that just having autoantibodies in your body does not mean you have a disease. Some people have these in their bodies but live healthy lives without any symptoms.
Autoantibodies are not a disease, but only a "clue" that helps identify a disease.
If you develop certain symptoms (e.g., joint pain, extreme fatigue, skin changes), your doctor may do several blood tests to check for these types of autoantibodies.
For example:
- If you have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor will check your blood for an autoantibody called `(Rheumatoid factor)`.
- If you experience sudden blood clots or complications during pregnancy, you may be tested for autoantibodies such as ``Lupus anticoagulant``.
When it comes to treatment, the treatment is not for the autoantibodies themselves. It is for the autoimmune disease and its symptoms that you are experiencing due to those autoantibodies.
Many autoimmune diseases are chronic. That means they last a lifetime. But don't worry. With proper medical advice and treatment, many people can control their symptoms and live a normal life. You may also need to see a doctor who specializes in these diseases (a rheumatologist).
When should I see a doctor?
If you have any symptoms in your body that you think are new or unusual (pain, swelling, skin changes) that persist, or if they gradually worsen, be sure to see a doctor.
No one knows your body better than you do. So don't ignore your feelings, or any unusual sensations. If you already know you have an autoimmune disease and feel like your symptoms are getting worse, talk to your doctor about that too.
Take-Home Message
- Autoantibodies are part of our own immune system that mistakenly attacks our healthy cells.
- Just because you have autoantibodies in your body doesn't mean you have a disease. It's just a clue that helps doctors diagnose a disease.
- Although there is no exact cause for this condition, infections, environmental, and genetic factors may play a role.
- The treatment is not for the autoantibodies, but for the underlying disease.
- If you have unusual, prolonged symptoms, see your doctor immediately for advice. Never ignore it.
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