Cancer and treatments weaken the immune system, putting patients at risk for viral and bacterial infections. Cancer can weaken the immune system by spreading into the bone marrow.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine and their body mounts an immune response that attacks the small intestine.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating long-term condition in which individuals experience exhaustion that is not helped by rest, as well as pain, mental fogginess and trouble with memory and sleep. Also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). May be due to an immune dysfunction, triggered by an infection.

Caused by a combination of factors like immune system dysregulation, genetics and environmental factors, causing chronic inflammation in the digestive system.

People with diabetes are more susceptible to developing infections, as high blood sugar levels can weaken the patient’s immune system defenses. Inflammation occurs as an immune response to high blood glucose, which further leads to damage of the pancreatic cells. Type I diabetes is autoimmune.

A condition that causes pain all over the body (widespread pain), sleep problems, fatigue, and often emotional and mental distress.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid gland, is an autoimmune disorder. It is caused by a malfunction in the immune system. Instead of protecting the thyroid tissue, the immune cells attack it, leading to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid),, a goiter (enlarged thyroid), or both.

May lead to problems like heart attacks and strokes, it’s the most common cause of death for both men and women in the United States. The damage caused by a heart attack triggers an inflammatory reaction which degrades the affected tissue.

Heavy metals have a toxic and suppressive effect on the immune system. Mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, and aluminum are poisonous heavy metals. Neurologically, mercury has been found to decrease the production of white blood cells, including T cells.

In hypertension, it is thought that initial tissue damage by elevated blood pressure releases cellular debris that signals a localized immune response. In genetically predisposed individuals, this initial immune priming may lead to a more potent immune response and additional organ damage and hypertension.

Hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and cortisol all affect the immune system and its function.

Lack of sleep can affect your immune system. Studies show that people who don’t get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus, such as a common cold virus.

Affects the large intestine. Signs and symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both. IBS is a chronic condition.

Lupus is a long-term autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. Symptoms include inflammation, swelling, and damage to the joints, skin, kidneys, blood, heart, and lungs.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that’s caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Untreated, Lyme disease may cause damage to your immune system and tissues.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease- the body’s immune system attacks its own body parts, such as tissue or nerves, instead of protecting them as it should. The immune system triggers MS activity because it causes inflammation, or swelling, in the central nervous system (CNS).

Researchers agree that psoriatic disease is an autoimmune disease. That means that psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are actually caused by an overactive immune system. In psoriatic disease, the immune system is targeting it’s own skin and joints.

Asthma and other respiratory diseases are often linked to the immune system and inflammation. This is because the immune system is thought to be a regulator of asthma and airways inflammation by producing too many immune factors in response to a stimuli that should not cause such a reaction.

Rheumatoid arthritis develops when the immune system produces antibodies that attach to the linings of joints. Immune system cells then attack the joints, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain. If untreated, rheumatoid arthritis may gradually cause permanent joint damage.

Toxic effects of environmental chemicals impact the immune system.