Autoimmune disease is on the rise. In fact, it’s estimated that over 50 million Americans live with some form of autoimmune condition, and rates continue to climb each year. From rheumatoid arthritis and lupus to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis, autoimmune disorders have become some of the most prevalent chronic illnesses in modern medicine.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine) in St. Louis, we see firsthand how autoimmune conditions affect our patients’ energy, quality of life, and long-term health. Many people wonder: Why are autoimmune diseases so common now compared to just a few decades ago?

The answer is complex and multifactorial. In this article, we’ll explore the key drivers behind the rising rates of autoimmune disease and why a functional medicine approach is critical for prevention and treatment.

What Is Autoimmune Disease?

The immune system is designed to protect the body from viruses, bacteria, and other invaders. In autoimmune disease, this system misfires. Instead of defending the body, it mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, leading to chronic inflammation and organ damage.

There are over 100 identified autoimmune conditions, and they can affect virtually any organ system—joints, skin, thyroid, pancreas, nervous system, and more. Symptoms vary but often include:

• Fatigue
• Joint pain or stiffness
• Digestive problems
• Skin rashes
• Brain fog
• Muscle weakness
• Chronic inflammation

Autoimmunity is rarely caused by a single factor. Instead, it develops from a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers.

Why Autoimmune Disease Is Becoming So Common

1. Genetics Meet Modern Lifestyle

Genetics play a role in autoimmune disease, but our genes have not changed significantly in the past century. What has changed is our environment and lifestyle. Modern diets, stress, chemical exposures, and sedentary habits can “turn on” genetic tendencies toward autoimmunity. This is why functional medicine focuses not just on genetics but on how lifestyle interacts with those genes.

2. The Gut-Immune Connection

Over 70% of the immune system resides in the gut. Conditions such as leaky gut (increased intestinal permeability), gut dysbiosis (imbalance of good and bad bacteria), and chronic infections can all confuse the immune system and lead to inappropriate attacks on the body.

For example, in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, certain food proteins or bacterial toxins may mimic thyroid tissue, prompting the immune system to attack the thyroid itself.

3. Dietary Changes

The modern diet—high in processed foods, refined sugars, seed oils, and additives—creates chronic inflammation. Nutrient deficiencies, especially in vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, weaken immune regulation. At the same time, gluten and other common irritants can trigger autoimmune reactions in genetically predisposed individuals.

4. Environmental Toxins

We are exposed to more chemicals today than ever before—pesticides, plastics (BPA), heavy metals, pollutants, and household chemicals. Many of these are endocrine disruptors or immune triggers. They burden the body’s detoxification systems and may provoke immune dysregulation.

5. Chronic Stress

Stress directly impacts the immune system through cortisol and other stress hormones. Prolonged stress weakens immune resilience, fuels inflammation, and contributes to autoimmune flares. Modern life—with constant digital stimulation, financial pressure, and lack of downtime—creates the perfect storm for immune imbalance.

6. Infections and Viral Triggers

Certain infections can trigger autoimmune disease in genetically predisposed people. Viruses like Epstein-Barr, COVID-19, or cytomegalovirus have been linked to autoimmune activation. Chronic infections in the gut or sinuses can also keep the immune system on high alert, eventually leading it to turn inward.

7. Sedentary Lifestyle

Movement is one of the most powerful regulators of immune balance. Exercise improves circulation, reduces inflammation, and strengthens resilience. With modern sedentary lifestyles, the immune system misses out on this regulatory effect.

8. Better Diagnosis—But Also More Cases

It’s true that improved medical testing and awareness mean we diagnose more autoimmune diseases today. But research shows that the actual prevalence of autoimmune conditions is increasing, not just detection.

Functional Medicine: A Root-Cause Approach

Traditional medicine often treats autoimmune disease with symptom management—anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, or biologics that suppress the immune system. While these treatments can be life-saving, they don’t address why the immune system is overreacting in the first place.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine), we use a functional medicine framework to get to the root of autoimmunity:

1. Identify Triggers

Through comprehensive history and advanced testing, we evaluate:

• Gut health and microbiome balance
• Food sensitivities and nutrient deficiencies
• Hidden infections or toxins
• Hormone imbalances
• Stress and lifestyle patterns

2. Calm Inflammation

We use nutrition, targeted supplements (like omega-3s, vitamin D, curcumin), and lifestyle interventions to reduce systemic inflammation.

3. Heal the Gut

A healthy gut is central to a balanced immune system. Probiotics, prebiotics, gut-healing nutrients, and elimination diets are often part of the plan.

4. Support Detoxification

We help patients reduce toxin exposures and support liver detox pathways through nutrition and lifestyle strategies.

5. Restore Immune Tolerance

By addressing the root causes, we aim not to suppress the immune system but to rebalance it, restoring its ability to distinguish between friend and foe.

Why Early Intervention Matters

Autoimmune disease often starts silently—sometimes years before symptoms appear. Early warning signs include chronic fatigue, unexplained aches, skin rashes, and digestive issues. Addressing these early can slow or even prevent full-blown autoimmunity.

Functional medicine emphasizes prevention and early intervention, giving patients tools to reduce risk before irreversible damage occurs.

Living with Autoimmunity: Hope and Healing

While autoimmune diseases are chronic, many patients improve dramatically with the right approach. By calming inflammation, healing the gut, addressing nutrient gaps, and supporting overall resilience, patients often experience:

• Reduced flares
• More energy
• Improved digestion
• Better mood and mental clarity
• Greater quality of life

At Sheen Vein, we’ve seen patients who once felt hopeless regain vitality and confidence in their health.

Final Thoughts

Autoimmune diseases are more common today than ever before, fueled by genetics colliding with modern diet, stress, toxins, and gut health challenges. But this rise also highlights an opportunity: by addressing root causes through a functional medicine approach, we can slow, manage, and even prevent autoimmune conditions.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine) in St. Louis, we specialize in uncovering the underlying triggers of autoimmunity and helping patients reclaim control over their health. If you’re struggling with unexplained fatigue, inflammation, or an autoimmune diagnosis, there are answers—and there is hope.

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• How Leaky Gut Affects Your Immune System
• The Gut-Immune-Hormone Connection
• Functional Medicine for Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and More

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