# Is there an autoimmune epidemic? **URL:** \ **Category:** Articles and Research\ **Created:** [May 1, 2015, 10:21pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/is-there-an-autoimmune-epidemic/1098 "2015-05-01T22:21:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mads](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/mads/32/1568_2.png) [@mads](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/mads)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 10:21pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/is-there-an-autoimmune-epidemic/1098/1 "2015-05-01T22:21:08Z")
Thousands of people are going from fit and healthy to sick and tired—seemingly overnight. What’s going on? Meet the doctors, patients and advocates trying to unravel the mystery.Whilst not officially deemed an autoimmune condition, EM is certainly included in this mix. We often forget that EM is a syndrome (ie: still a medical mystery) and that it can be systemic. Please read this article by 'SELF' as it is superb! Do you think there is an autoimmune epidemic ? As always, we would love to hear all your comments. nhttp://www.self.com/wellness/health/autoimmune-epidemic/#.VUOmqomvSZk.facebook ---
**Author:** ![hayley3](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/hayley3/32/644_2.png) [@hayley3](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/hayley3)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 10:47pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/is-there-an-autoimmune-epidemic/1098/2 "2015-05-01T22:47:23Z")
I think there is. I just read an article about sugar causing illness. Could it be that simple? I'm at the moment suffering from a major sinus infection. I will lose my job over it although I really shouldn't have been doing it anyway, it was killing my feet and I wasn't going to last much longer. ---
**Author:** ![Jon\_sparky](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/jon_sparky/32/736_2.png) [@Jon\_sparky](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/Jon_sparky)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 2:02am UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/is-there-an-autoimmune-epidemic/1098/3 "2015-05-02T02:02:39Z")
With all the chemicals in the environment; plastics, carpets paint, dishes, food, GMO modified foods, preservatives, even in Organic packaged foods, it isn’t any wonder… My rheumy is now testing me for two other autoimmune diseases, Ankylosing Spondelosis, and psoriatic arthritis. My Neurologist thinks the polyneuropathy is caused by SLE Lupus. I know I have multiple chemical allergies, to most of the above mentioned items, so probably a lot of it is environmental… ---
**Author:** ![clarissajo](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/clarissajo/32/318_2.png) [@clarissajo](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/clarissajo)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 4:40am UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/is-there-an-autoimmune-epidemic/1098/4 "2015-05-02T04:40:47Z")
I was diagnosed with 7 autoimmune diseases and fibro over a period of two years. After another year, I was diagnosed with Lyme disease plus other tick-borne illnesses. My doctor felt that the Lyme had triggered autoimmune diseases and fibro in me, because my family is particularly susceptible to these conditions. I agree with others that the contaminants in our environment and our food are factors, but there have been a number of medical papers on the link between various bacterial and viral infections and autoimmune disease. I know that I developed my first two AI illnesses right after I had mono as a teenager (Epstein-Barr virus). PS My Lyme doctor was familiar with EM, he said he had seen it many times in Lyme patients. ---
**Author:** ![hayley3](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/hayley3/32/644_2.png) [@hayley3](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/hayley3)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 8:30am UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/is-there-an-autoimmune-epidemic/1098/5 "2015-05-02T08:30:00Z")
I developed mine after an infection too. But I attributed the infection to a weakened immune system from my diet, which was a lot of sodas, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Domina](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/domina/32/489_2.png) [@Domina](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/Domina)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 10:40am UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/is-there-an-autoimmune-epidemic/1098/6 "2015-05-02T10:40:17Z")
[http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/03/07/infla...](http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/03/07/inflammation-triggers-disease-symptoms.aspx) this may be something worth reading for anybody interested in autoimmune disorders ---
**Author:** ![Alina\_D](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/alina_d/32/281_2.png) [@Alina\_D](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/Alina_D)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 10:19pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/is-there-an-autoimmune-epidemic/1098/7 "2015-05-02T22:19:37Z")
I think it’s may be a combination of environmental factors and the fact that autoimmun. Conditions are a rather new medical discovery. Then add the modern technology allowing everyone to hear about or read about each others conditions makes it seem like it’s a new to see so many people with autoimmune conditions. Interesting thing is there are many people on top of those we know that have autoimmune conditions too. My doctor said as much as 20 0percent of those seeking medical attention for systimic symptoms go undisclosed thanks to the inaccuracy of the tests and that people are usually just tested for the most common ones leaving those with more rare autoimmune conditions in diagnosed! ---
**Author:** ![Jon\_sparky](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/jon_sparky/32/736_2.png) [@Jon\_sparky](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/Jon_sparky)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2015, 1:14am UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/is-there-an-autoimmune-epidemic/1098/8 "2015-05-03T01:14:27Z")
Just found this article about toxins Pizza boxes, etc… [http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/05/02/scientists-warn-of-chemicals-in-pizza-boxes-carpet-care/26766547/](http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/05/02/scientists-warn-of-chemicals-in-pizza-boxes-carpet-care/26766547/) I agree, doctors don’t want to go beyond the norm in diagnosing people, I had this happen to me for quite some time. ---
**Author:** ![mads](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/mads/32/1568_2.png) [@mads](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/mads)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 6:16pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/is-there-an-autoimmune-epidemic/1098/9 "2015-05-04T18:16:21Z")
Great article , Jon. Massive thanks for that :)