Auto-immuni(me).3
“Your body is a museum of natural disasters,
can you grasp how stunning that is?”
- poet Rupi Kaur, Milk and Honey, page 173
I am no longer at the beginning of my journey. I am full of awareness of my body’s signals.
My Journey to Autoimmune Remission: How Consistent Exercise Led to Relief
The Moment My Chronic Inflammation Went Into Remission
Something amazing happened recently: my chronic inflammation went into remission. I didn’t feel pain, even when I ate something potentially inflammatory. The biggest difference at this point in my life was a long 98-kilometer walk through Galicia, the most northeastern autonomous state in Spain. This consistent, low-exertion physical activity seemed to send my autoimmune symptoms into remission. In short, auto-immuni(me) fell in love with exercise.
A Wake-Up Call: The First Signs of Autoimmunity
I will never forget the moment when my naturopath called with the first warning sign that "autoimmune stuff" had shown up in my bloodwork. The initial reaction was overwhelming—a deep dive into a foreign language that no one in my immediate circle understood, and yet, I could feel the repercussions playing out in my body. Tracing the truths about autoimmunity felt like navigating a complex, uncharted terrain.
For weeks, I noticed the ebbing and flowing of inflammation, directly correlating with a combination of factors like sunlight exposure, sleep, stress, diet, and exercise.
The Key Factors Affecting Autoimmunity: Sunlight, Sleep, Stress, and Diet
As I continue to learn more about autoimmunity, I’ve become increasingly aware of how specific lifestyle variables impact my symptoms:
Sunlight Exposure: I’ve noticed that prolonged sun exposure can trigger inflammation, and too much exposure may lead to pain in my joints or skin.
Sleep: Lack of sleep often exacerbates inflammation. When I sleep less than 8 hours, my pain intensifies, accompanied by brain fog and fatigue.
Stress: Stress pain is sudden, sharp, and intense, appearing immediately after a stressor.
Diet: What I eat has a huge impact on how my body reacts. I’ve learned that foods that are inflammatory for some people may not trigger symptoms for me, as long as I maintain a balanced lifestyle with adequate exercise, sleep, and stress management.
Learning to Distinguish Pain and Inflammation Sensations
Over time, I’ve developed the ability to distinguish between the various types of pain I experience:
Stress-related pain: Sudden, sharp, and intense.
Insufficient sleep: More subtle, prolonged pain with signs like brain fog and tiredness.
Sunlight-related pain: Obvious and noticeable after too much sun exposure.
I never imagined I’d be able to discern these subtle differences, but now I’m able to identify the root causes and address them more effectively. The journey has been enlightening and empowering.
The Gut Microbiome: A Fascinating New Frontier in Autoimmunity
I’ve also immersed myself in learning about the gut microbiome, an emerging area of research that could revolutionize how we approach chronic illness and autoimmune diseases. Though I don’t claim to be an expert, the field is growing rapidly, and it holds immense potential for people dealing with autoimmune conditions.
This knowledge is essential for anyone struggling with chronic illness, and especially important for those with autoimmune disease. The more we understand our gut and its connection to the immune system, the better equipped we’ll be to heal. Below, I’ve linked several resources to help you explore this exciting science further.
Lifestyle Practices to Support Autoimmune Health
As I continue this journey, there are a few core practices I follow to nurture my autoimmune health and promote overall well-being:
Eat a Varied, Nutrient-Dense Diet: I focus on consuming a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and proteins to support my immune system.
Exercise Regularly: Walking has been a game-changer for me. I make sure to stay active without pushing my body too hard.
Prioritize Sleep: Getting at least 8-9 hours of sleep each night has been crucial to managing inflammation.
Minimize Stress: Learning to manage and minimize stress has been one of the most significant changes I’ve made.
Incorporate Probiotics: Regular consumption of probiotics, like my homemade pineapple tepache has been essential for gut health.
Homemade Pineapple Tepache: A Probiotic Powerhouse
One of my go-to probiotic sources is homemade pineapple tepache, which I make with local honey. It’s ready to drink every 2-3 days and provides a tasty, natural boost to my gut health. The fermentation process is simple: just add honey and water to the base, and it’s good to go.
Reintroducing Foods: A Milestone in My Autoimmune Journey
I’ve successfully reintroduced a variety of foods into my diet, including corn, eggs, rice, and oats. It feels liberating to gradually add these foods back into my life without triggering inflammation. Interestingly, some foods often considered highly inflammatory—like alcohol, sugar, and gluten—don’t cause me pain when consumed in moderation, as long as my other health practices (adequate sleep, exercise, stress management) are on track. On my birthday, I was able to eat corn-based arepas with cheese with no pain!
The Emotional Side of the Autoimmune Journey
Embarking on this autoimmune journey hasn’t always been easy. I began with enthusiasm, motivated to reclaim my health. But six months in, I’ve had plenty of days where I’ve felt frustrated and angry about the constant need to manage my condition. And you know what? That’s okay. We’re not always going to feel positive or motivated.
Sometimes, it’s okay to feel irritated or discouraged. As I learned from S.N. Goenka in my post on Vipassana Meditation, we must learn to observe things as they are, without judgment. This also applies to how we view ourselves in the midst of illness. Accepting ourselves—autoimmunity and all—is part of the healing process.
The Importance of Self-Care and Listening to Your Body
No matter where you are on your autoimmune journey, it’s essential to listen to your body. It may be telling you exactly what you need to do to feel better. Even when pain or discomfort arises, view it as an opportunity to gather information.
I am proud of the progress I’ve made, and I’m proud of you too. If you’re reading this, you’re already on the path to wellness. Don’t hesitate to share your own tips and wisdom in the comments below, or pass along my Auto-immuni(me) series to someone who may need it. Health is a journey worth fighting for.
Related Articles You Might Enjoy:
How the Gut Microbiome Affects Autoimmunity
5 Key Tips for Managing Autoimmune Symptoms
Understanding the Autoimmune Protocol Diet
