Autoimmune Diseases
What Are Autoimmune Disorders and How Do They Affect You?
Immune system problems result in unusually low or excessive immune system activity. Overactive immune systems cause the body to attack and harm its very own tissues (autoimmune diseases). Immune deficiency illnesses reduce the body’s abilities to fend against intruders, making it more susceptible to infection.
The immune system might produce antibodies that, rather than defending against infections, attack the body’s tissues in reaction to an unidentified stimulus. The goal of autoimmune disease treatment is to reduce the activity of the immune system.
Some autoimmune disorders are limited to a single organ. The pancreas is harmed by type 1 diabetes. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an example of a disease that affects the entire body.
Ten autoimmune disorders that are very frequent
A total of 80 distinct autoimmune disorders exist. The following are 10 of the most frequent.
- Type 1 diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Addison’s disease
- Graves’ disease
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Symptoms of autoimmunity
Several autoimmune disorders have very identical early signs, including such:
- fatigue
- muscles that are aching
- redness and swelling
- Fever of a low intensity
- unable to concentrate
- tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
- hair thinning
- rashes on the skin
Each disease may have its own set of symptoms. Type 1 diabetes, for example, causes severe thirst, loss of weight, and fatigue. IBD is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea.
When should you see a doctor?
When you experience signs of an autoimmune condition, see a doctor. Based on the sort of sickness you encounter, you may require to see a specialist.
- Rheumatologists treat autoimmune disorders, including Sjögren’s syndrome and SLE, and joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Gastroenterologists treat gastrointestinal disorders such as celiac disease and Crohn’s disease.
- Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and Addison’s disease are all disorders treated by endocrinologists.
- Psoriasis, for example, is treated by dermatologists.
What is the treatment for autoimmune diseases?
Treatments can’t diagnose autoimmune disorders, but they could help manage the overactive immune system and lessen inflammation, if not eliminate it. The following medications are used to treat such circumstances:
NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen, are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) (Naprosyn)
Medications that inhibit the immune system
Pain, swelling, exhaustion, and skin rashes can all be relieved with the correct medication.
Doing some exercising and consuming a well-balanced diet might also assist you to experience healthier.
Last but not least
There are over 80 multiple kinds of autoimmune disorders. Their symptoms frequently overlap, rendering diagnosis difficult.
Women are much more likely to have autoimmune disorders, and they frequently run in families.
Autoantibody blood testing can assist doctors in diagnosing certain disorders. Medicines to quiet the hyperactive immune response and reduce inflammation throughout the body are among the solutions.
