The Attack of Autoimmune Diseases

Dr. Susan Monias
3 days ago
3 min read

Are you one of the 15 million Americans who have at least one diagnosed autoimmune disease?

According to a 2025 study, 15 million Americans have at least one diagnosed autoimmune disease. Multiple Sclerosis is one example of an autoimmune disease.

When I was diagnosed 15 years ago, and even when I shared these statistics 10 years ago, there were only about 40 named autoimmune conditions. Today, there are between 105 and 140 recognized autoimmune conditions.

There are also an estimated 24–50 million Americans living with undiagnosed autoimmunity.

So, what’s causing this rise in symptoms and these numbers?

Let’s Start with the Symptoms…

You’re probably familiar with most, or all, of these symptoms, but have you ever wondered what your body’s trying to warn you about?

Associated with Autoimmunity

Fatigue or exhaustion
Joint pain or stiffness
Feeling physically drained or weak
Brain fog
Difficulty concentrating
Memory loss
Slower thinking or mental fatigue

Digestive Issues

Bloating
Diarrhea or constipation
Abdominal pain
Food sensitivities

Skin Changes

Rashes
Hives
Dry skin
Psoriasis
Butterfly rash (commonly associated with lupus)

Symptoms of Seen Together

Fatigue + brain fog + joint pain
Digestive issues + skin problems
Hair loss + cold intolerance + weight gain
Tingling + muscle weakness + exhaustion

Additional Symptoms

Sleep disturbances
Swollen lymph nodes
Headaches or migraines
Frequent infections or feeling “run down.”
Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or face
Temperature sensitivity: feeling unusually cold or hot
Unexplained weight changes without major lifestyle changes
Hair thinning or hair loss (commonly seen with thyroid conditions, but can also be related to nerve inflammation)

Named Autoimmune Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Type 1 Diabetes

Sjogren Syndrome

Next, let’s talk about inflammation in America

AUTOIMMUNE = INFLAMMATION. PERIOD.

Inflammation is one of the leading contributors to chronic disease in the United States.

I have always said that autoimmunity can be a precursor to cancer, as cancer is also considered an inflammatory disease.

In overcoming MS over the past 15 years, I have always said that I did not “cure” the disease; I simply learned how to keep my inflammation down. I did this by changing the foods I ate, healing my cellular, gastric, and systemic inflammation.

At Dr. Susan Monias, we address all forms of inflammation and interference.

My belief has always been: if you remove interference, the body can heal.

So, How Do You Find These Interferences?

Don't Guess. Do the Right Tests!

It starts with Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis (FBCA).

We identify which systems are in dysfunction and work to correct them through the functional hierarchy of healing.

We also perform food sensitivity testing to determine which foods your body is reacting to so they can be removed. This helps calm an overactive immune system, decrease gastric inflammation, and support the healing of leaky gut.

The gut is the root of all autoimmunity.

We also address cellular inflammation using Daniel Pompa’s 5 R’s of Cellular Healing:

This approach helps decrease cellular inflammation while also supporting proper cellular function.

In some cases, we use true detoxification protocols once the client is ready. Before doing so, we recheck bloodwork to ensure downstream pathways have been successfully opened.

Depending on individual needs, we may also test:

DNA
Hormones
Gut health
Neurotransmitters
Heavy metal toxicity

We also use detailed new-client paperwork designed to help uncover possible interferences. Combined with comprehensive bloodwork, this often helps lead us to the answers. Once interference is removed, inflammation decreases, and symptoms begin to improve.