Autoimmune Diseases Are Rising in India—Here’s Why (and What You Can Do)

Published on: 23/May/2024
Posted By: Arka Health

The Hidden Health Crisis in India

Autoimmune diseases were once considered rare in India. Not anymore.

Today, more people are being diagnosed with conditions like thyroid issues, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, and celiac disease than ever before. Even more alarming—many are living with symptoms for years without a proper diagnosis.

If you’ve been feeling tired all the time, dealing with unexplained joint pain, bloating, hair loss, skin rashes, or brain fog, it might not just be “stress” or “age”—it could be your immune system reacting to something deeper.

Autoimmune diseases are rising—and it’s time we talk about why, and what we can do about it.

What Are Autoimmune Diseases?

In a healthy body, your immune system protects you from infections and harmful invaders.

In an autoimmune disease, your immune system becomes confused. It mistakenly attacks your own cells and tissues—thinking they’re the enemy.

Depending on where the attack happens, you could be diagnosed with:

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – attacks your thyroid
Rheumatoid arthritis – attacks your joints
Psoriasis – affects your skin
Lupus – attacks multiple organs
Celiac disease – damages your small intestine

Autoimmune diseases can affect nearly any part of the body—and symptoms often overlap, making them tricky to identify.

Why Are Autoimmune Diseases Increasing in India?

There’s no single cause—but here’s what we know from science and real-world clinical experience:

1. Gut Health Problems

Your gut is where about 70% of your immune system lives. Poor diet, frequent antibiotics, processed foods, pesticides, and stress damage your gut lining, leading to what’s called “leaky gut.” This is one of the biggest known triggers for autoimmunity.

2. Stress and Mental Health

Stress doesn’t just affect your mind—it deeply affects your immune function. Chronic stress can trigger inflammation, throw off hormones, and worsen autoimmune responses.

3. Environmental Toxins

We’re exposed to more toxins than ever—through polluted air, chemicals in food, plastics, cosmetics, and cleaning products. These can overload your immune system over time.

4. Nutrient Deficiencies

Many Indians are low in:

Vitamin D
Zinc
Magnesium
Omega-3s

These nutrients are essential for keeping your immune system calm and balanced.

5. Poor Sleep and Lifestyle Habits

Late nights, lack of physical activity, irregular eating, and high screen time also contribute to poor immune regulation.

6. Genetics + Modern Triggers

You may inherit a genetic risk, but it usually takes environmental or lifestyle triggers to activate autoimmune disease.

Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood.
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities (anhedonia).
Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, or worthlessness.
Irritability, frustration, or restlessness.
Changes in sleep patterns (difficulty sleeping or oversleeping).
Changes in appetite or unplanned weight fluctuations.
Fatigue, lack of energy, or feeling slowed down.
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Physical aches, pains, headaches, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause.
Thoughts of death or suicide. (If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for immediate help. Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or seek local emergency services.)

It’s important to remember that depression doesn’t look the same for everyone; symptoms can vary based on age, gender, and individual circumstances. Some might experience more irritability than sadness, while others might notice physical symptoms more prominently.

Common Autoimmune Conditions Affecting Indians Today

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Most common cause of underactive thyroid
Symptoms: fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, brain fog, depression

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Painful swelling in joints, especially hands and knees
Can lead to joint deformity over time if untreated

Psoriasis

Red, scaly skin patches caused by immune system attacking skin cells
Often linked to gut and liver health

Type 1 Diabetes

Immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas
Usually diagnosed in children, but increasing in adults too

Celiac Disease / Gluten Sensitivity

Gluten triggers an immune attack on the small intestine

Symptoms: bloating

Why Standard Treatments Often Aren’t Enough

Conventional medicine typically focuses on:

Suppressing symptoms with medications (like steroids or painkillers)
Replacing hormones (like thyroid meds or insulin)
Managing flare-ups—but not addressing the root cause

While these treatments are necessary in some cases, they don’t explore why your immune system is acting up in the first place. That means symptoms can return—or even worsen—over time.

You might be told:

“Your labs are normal.”
“It’s something you’ll have to manage for life.”
“There’s nothing else you can do.”

That’s frustrating—and it’s not the whole truth.

A Smarter Way to Heal: The Root Cause Approach

At Arka Health, we use a functional medicine model to treat autoimmune conditions.

This approach doesn’t just suppress symptoms—it works to identify and remove the underlying triggers so the immune system can reset and heal.

Here’s how it works:

We look at your whole story—not just your diagnosis
We use advanced tests to find hidden issues like leaky gut, food sensitivities, nutrient gaps, and inflammation
We create a personalized healing plan—targeted diet, lifestyle, and supplements to rebalance your immune system
We guide you step-by-step—so you’re never alone in your journey

This approach helps people:

Lower inflammation
Reduce autoimmune flare-ups
Heal their gut
Regain energy and clarity
Feel in control again

How to Start Taking Control of Your Autoimmune Health

If you’re experiencing any of the following regularly, it’s worth digging deeper:
- Constant fatigue, even after rest
- Brain fog or memory issues
- Digestive problems like bloating or IBS
- Joint or muscle pain
- Skin rashes or patches
- Hair loss
- Mood swings or anxiety
- Weight gain or loss without reason
You don’t need to wait for things to get worse. Early action makes a big difference in autoimmune care.

Signs It’s Time to Get Tested

If you’re experiencing any of the following regularly, it’s worth digging deeper:

Constant fatigue, even after rest
Brain fog or memory issues
Digestive problems like bloating or IBS
Joint or muscle pain
Skin rashes or patches
Hair loss
Mood swings or anxiety
Weight gain or loss without reason

You don’t need to wait for things to get worse. Early action makes a big difference in autoimmune care.

Final Thoughts: You Can Heal—With the Right Approach

Autoimmune diseases are rising in India—but so is awareness.
If you’ve been told there’s no solution beyond medication, know this: there is another way.
You can heal—not by fighting your immune system, but by understanding what’s triggering it and giving your body what it truly needs to find balance again.
At Arka Health, we specialize in helping people uncover the root cause of their autoimmune symptoms and support them with personalized healing strategies that actually work.
Ready to get to the root of your symptoms?
Book a discovery call at arka.health and start your healing journey with our expert team.
We’re here to help you go from “managing” to truly healing.

Conventional Approach	At Arka, We Offer...
CBT and Medication Only	CBT plus Limbic System Retraining for self-regulation
Talk Therapy	Energy Healing to release stuck emotional patterns
Generic Pain Management	Somatic & Trauma Healing to release trauma held in body muscles causing chronic pain
Surface-Level Mindfulness	Mind-Body Connection practices with deep energy alignment
Standard Psychiatric Support	Holotropic Breathwork and USIRU for deep subconscious release
Treatment with medication alone	Ketamine Therapy integrated with trauma-informed care
Nervous system overlooked	Vagus Nerve Stimulation to activate innate calming and healing pathways

With convention therapies we also try to move a step ahead by including :

Ketamine Therapy: For treatment-resistant depression and trauma, guided by skilled clinicians in a supportive setting.
Limbic System Retraining: Helping you rewire the brain’s stress and fear responses for long-term calm and clarity.
Energy Healing: Addressing emotional and energetic blockages that traditional therapies may miss.
Vagus Nerve Activation: Supporting the nervous system’s natural recovery via non-invasive methods.
Trauma-Informed Somatic Work: Releasing physical tension where trauma is held — often resolving chronic pain and fatigue.
Holotropic Breathwork & USIRU: Deep, experiential techniques that allow inner transformation without words.

If you’re looking for depression treatment in Bangalore that goes beyond just prescriptions, our team at Arka Anugraha Hospital is here for you. We pride ourselves on being one of the leading holistic mental health centers in Bangalore, offering functional psychiatry services that incorporate nutrition, mind-body therapies, advanced treatments, and compassionate psychiatric care.

Our integrative approach is also suitable for patients across India – even if you’re not in Bangalore, we offer telehealth consultations and can guide you on lifestyle and nutrition remotely, and invite you to visit us for specialized treatments like TMS or ketamine if needed. This pan-India approach ensures that anyone seeking a more natural, well-rounded strategy for mental wellness can access our services.

At Arka Anugraha, treatment is a partnership. You’ll work closely with psychiatrists, nutritionists, and therapists as a team. We educate and empower you at every step – whether it’s understanding how gut health affects mood, or learning how to use breathwork to calm anxiety, you’ll gain knowledge and tools to manage your mental health for life. And importantly, we approach every patient with deep empathy and respect. We know depression is not a sign of weakness or something you can just “snap out of.” It’s a real condition that can happen to anyone – hardworking professionals, parents, students, you name it. Our mission is to provide hope and healing through an integrative lens, tailored to the unique needs of each individual.

You don’t have to walk through depression alone. Help is available, and recovery is absolutely possible – we see it every day. An integrative approach might be the key that finally unlocks the improvements you’ve been looking for. If you or a loved one is struggling with depression, consider reaching out to explore these holistic options.

Take the first step towards healing today – Book a Free Discovery Call with Arka Anugraha Hospital. Our team will be happy to discuss your concerns, answer your questions, and guide you on a path to a brighter, healthier future.

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