4 Factors That Could Increase Your Risk For Autoimmune Diseases

It is estimated that around 24 million people
suffer from an auto immune disease.  The
exact cause is unknown, but there are
certain factors that can increase your risk.

1. Family history

If you have a close member in your family
with an autoimmune disease, this may
increase your risk of developing one.  It may
not be the same one, but one of the hundreds
of autoimmune diseases.

2.  Being Female

Women are more likely to develop an
autoimmune disease than men.  They often
strike women during childbearing years,
which could be linked to hormones.

3.  Ethnicity

Some autoimmune diseases are more
likely to develop in women of color.
They also tend to present signs of the
disease at an earlier age and suffer
worse symptoms.

4.  You already have an autoimmune disease

If you already have an autoimmune disease, you
are more likely to develop one or more.