Autoimmune Life Blog

We survive with modern medicine. It has to be said. Peter and his squad of bad-ass dia-buddies are blessed with insulin, technology and care that have changed what it means to live with Type 1 Diabetes. And, they have reason to hope that the future will bring even better tools and outcomes.

Frequent urination, dry mouth and unexplained weight loss are common symptoms of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Also called juvenile diabetes, T1D affects nearly one million Americans and usually occurs in children or young adults.

There are around 40 trillion bacteria in your body, most of which are in your intestines. Collectively, they are known as your gut microbiota, and they are hugely important for your health. However, certain types of bacteria in your intestines can also contribute to autoimmune diseases.

A microbiome is a collection of microorganisms that create a “mini-ecosystem” – and there are 100 trillion bacteria inside your intestinal tract! Many gastrointestinal (GI) bacteria live in the gut and help with digestion.

Nearly 400 guests learned about the breakthrough medical research in fighting allergies and autoimmune diseases during the Illuminations Luncheon on Oct. 27 at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel.

Being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, such as lupus, MS or Crohn’s disease, can be a challenging journey.

Lupus, also known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE, is a complex disease that can be difficult to diagnose. It affects many areas of body including the joints, skin and kidneys. More than 200,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with lupus each year.

With the help of generous volunteers, BRI scientists have been able to move autoimmune and immune-mediated disease research forward.

Did you know that BRI researchers aren’t just researchers? They’re teachers, too. In fact, 12 BRI researchers serve on the University of Washington (UW) faculty, two of which also teach at the Chiba University School of Medicine in Japan.

Julie Poulsen learned she was allergic to peanuts at two years old. “I almost died in my mother’s arms after having a Snicker’s candy bar at a friend’s house,” says Julie.