Here’s Why Millennials Need to Worry About Autoimmune Diseases—Like Right Now

Autoimmune diseases are increasing

Our immune system helps to fight off infections from viruses and bacteria—but sometimes it can turn on itself by mistake. So what is autoimmune disease, and why do you need to know about it? “Autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system attacks a person’s own cells and tissues,” says Daniela Cihakova, MD, PhD, an immunologist at Johns Hopkins University. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), this can happen in almost any part of the body, from the brain to muscles, skin, and other organs. And the research is clear—the number of people with one of these conditions has been increasing in the last several decades. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that 23.5 million Americans are now affected, with the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) putting the estimate even higher, at 50 million. “Some autoimmune disorders, such as type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disease, are thought to be on the rise,” says Emily Somers, PhD, an epidemiologist at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health. “These changes over time suggest that environmental factors are involved.” Find out the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.