Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakes its own cells for intruding pathogens that need to be destroyed. The result is inflammation in the body’s tissues which damages them. The affected tissues and subsequent effects and symptoms vary depending on the specific autoimmune disease someone suffers from.

The exact cause of most, if not all, autoimmune diseases is not established, although most are believed to develop due to a combination of genetic factors and environmental triggers. 

Although autoimmune diseases cannot be cured, they can be managed for a better and prolonged life. Early recognition is the most crucial aspect of the management of these diseases. The sooner they are diagnosed, the sooner treatment can be initiated for an improved prognosis. Diagnosing autoimmune diseases can be difficult. This is where BioCertica can help! 

Awareness of your genetic predisposition can help you identify symptoms earlier and help doctors to look in the right direction sooner. Since many autoimmune disease symptoms may be unspecific, DNA testing may add value to and quicken the diagnostic process. 

BioCertica’s newest package includes 16 autoimmune diseases for which we can test your genetic predisposition to aid with earlier recognition, should any of these diseases develop.

The traits/diseases included in this package:

• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Appendicitis
• Ulcerative colitis
• Type 1 diabetes mellitus
• Thyrotoxicosis
• Systemic sclerosis
• Oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Alopecia areata
• Myasthenia gravis (late onset)
• Dermatomyositis
• Wegener's disease
• Takayasu's arteritis
• Primary biliary cirrhosis
• IgA nephropathy

Even though autoimmune diseases cannot be specifically prevented, a healthy lifestyle is imperative to lower your risk. Be sure to look at BioCertica’s other DNA testing packages, such as DNA Nutrition and Well-being and DNA Fitness, to help you tailor your diet and exercise to your specific needs. DNA Weight Management and DNA Cardiovascular Health are there to find out precisely which lifestyle risk factors to pay attention to.