What Causes Autoimmunity??

[Papeena]

Scientists do not yet fully understand the immune system and what causes the body to produce an immune response to itself. However, we do know that there are a number of triggers which play a role in developing an autoimmune disease. Bacteria, viruses toxins, hormones, significant stress and even some drugs may trigger an autoimmune response in someone who already has a genetic (Inherited) predisposition to develop such an autoimmune disease.

[AliW]

I wish I understood this - my CREST was triggered by severely stressful episode in my life ..... stress has alot to anwser for?> does anyone else believe their symptons were triggered by stress >

[eletra in reply to AliW]

I feel, most definately that stress triggered my symptons. I was diagnosed with Scleroderma 5 years ago. My mother had been suffering with Alzheimers and died 12 years ago, im'e sure the stress and loss of my mum started it off..

[zenabb]

My son is an immunologist and he says that there is a long way to go to fathom all this out. Stress as a trigger is only guesswork.