I recently posted about my “tryst with an autoimmune condition”. What exactly is an autoimmune condition?
Understanding autoimmune conditions begins with listening—to each person’s lived experience, as well as medical insights from a variety of medical traditions.
Autoimmune comes from two roots: auto, a Greek prefix meaning “self,”; and immune, a derivative of the Latin “immunitas”, which means to be exempt or protected from. Put together, an autoimmune condition is one in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy cells, tissues, or organs—treating “self” as if it were a foreign enemy.
While many autoimmune conditions have not yet been documented properly, there are 80+ conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, and psoriasis fall into the autoimmune category.
Issues such as reactive arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome are less common and harder to diagnose.
Autoimmune conditions can affect nearly any system in the body. Some target specific organs—like the thyroid in Hashimoto’s. Others are systemic, affecting joints, skin, or connective tissue throughout the body.
Symptoms can vary widely: joint pain, fatigue, muscle weakness, rashes, brain fog, digestive issues, hair loss, dry eyes and mouth, or recurring fevers. Some people experience flare-ups and remissions; others live with constant, low-grade symptoms. Many autoimmune diseases develop slowly and may go undiagnosed for years. No one person has the same experience. One moment, you feel fine; the next, you need to sit down.
The onset can be mysterious. Sometimes, an infection, surgery, or major life stress can trigger an autoimmune issue. Sometimes, symptoms may begin subtly and escalate over time. Genetics, environment, hormones, and even gut health are all believed to play a role. Doctors often struggle to pinpoint a diagnosis. According to the NIH, it can take years to correctly identify many autoimmune conditions, especially in women.
Autoimmune diseases are often invisible illnesses—you may look perfectly “fine.” You may smile and keep going. But behind that, there might be chronic exhaustion, joint pain, anxiety, or the grief of not feeling like your old self anymore. Compassion, rest, and a personalized treatment plan (including methods from a variety of traditions) are essential for managing symptoms.
I learned firsthand how much courage it takes to simply rest. To say no. To advocate for yourself. To not give up hope.
So, to those of you who know something’s not right, and can’t pinpoint what it is, know this: You are not alone. Many of us are walking this path—often slowly, sometimes painfully, but always with the wisdom of our bodies guiding us.