Autoimmune diseases: what is it, a list of diseases, symptoms

Autoimmune diseases are those diseases in which the immune system unexpectedly reacts to the body itself. The immune system confuses a healthy normal cell with a threat to health, causing harm to the body for no apparent reason.

In addition to explaining what an autoimmune disease is, let's take a look at the list of diseases, the symptoms they cause, and the treatments available today.

What are autoimmune diseases

Typically, the immune system serves to fight infections and protect the body from microorganisms such as viruses, fungi and bacteria, or harmful substances such as allergens and toxins, for example.

However, there are cases when the immune system confuses certain parts of the body or healthy organ cells as harmful. When faced with this threat, the body releases proteins known as antibodies that incorrectly attack these components. This type of disease is an immune system disorder that causes the immune system to become too active.

There are also cases where the body's ability to fight harmful substances is impaired, which causes immunodeficiency, making the body vulnerable to infection and disease.

That is, an autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system attacks healthy components of the body or decreases the immune system's ability to defend itself.

These autoimmune reactions can occur due to:

• the ingress of a foreign substance into the body, for example, a harmless allergen;
• inadequate functioning of cells that control the production of antibodies, forcing them to attack healthy cells;
• an injury that causes a substance to be released into the bloodstream, which is usually found in a specific part of the body.

The cause of the "failure" in the immune system is unknown. However, statistics indicate that women are more likely to develop this type of disease compared to men, usually between the fertile age of 14 and 44.

In addition, some autoimmune diseases are more common in certain ethnic groups, such as such as lupus, which affects more African Americans and Hispanics than Caucasians.

There is also a genetic influence, as autoimmune diseases such as lupus and multiple sclerosis, can occur in several members of the same family.

Researchers also believe that environmental factors, inflammation, stress, unhealthy diet, infections, and toxins can influence the immune system's response.

This is also not proven, but some scientists believe that due to the protective agents that currently exist as vaccines and antiseptics, children today are no longer are exposed to as many microbes as before, which can cause the immune system to overreact to harmless substances or healthy cells present in the body. This could explain the rise in the incidence of autoimmune diseases.

Thus, the exact cause of these diseases has not been established. But a number of environmental and genetic factors are likely to be involved.

List of autoimmune diseases

There are several types of autoimmune diseases. Some of them affect cells in a specific organ, such as type 1 diabetes, which damages cells pancreas or autoimmune thyroid diseasethat only affect thyroid gland. Other types may affect whole organismas is the case with lupus.

According to a study published in the scientific journal “Autoimmune diseases ", in 2014 there were already more than 80 types of detectable autoimmune diseases. According to the latest data American Association for Autoimmune Diseases, this number exceeds 100. For ease of reading, we have reduced the list to the most common ones.

1. Rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition in which the immune system attacks the joints, causing inflammation, redness, stiffness, and pain in the joints.

2. Diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which cells in the pancreas are damaged by the immune system, preventing the organ from producing insulin or produces too little of it. Insulin is an essential hormone for regulating blood sugar levels, and a lack of it can make the glycemic index consistently high.

3. Psoriasis.

Psoriasis, also known as psoriatic arthritis, is a skin disorder in which epithelial cells grow in size and then detach. This causes skin cells to proliferate much faster than normal, resulting in excess skin cells that can form red patches and scales on the skin. Photo).

4. Lupus.

Also called systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes a rash. It is not just a skin condition, however, as it affects several organs, including the kidneys, brain, heart, and joints.

5. Multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis occurs when the immune system attacks myelin, which is the lining of nerve cells in our body. Such damage can damage the nervous system and affect the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

This leads to unpleasant symptoms that vary from patient to patient and may include numbness, balance problems, difficulty walking, weakness and various other problems with health.

6. Inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease is inflammation in the lining of the intestines that manifests itself as two conditions: Crohn's disease, in which inflammation can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, or ulcerative colitis, when only the mucous membrane of the colon and rectum are affected.

7. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

CIDP is a disease in which the immune system affects the body's nerves, impairing their motor function. In some cases, when the diagnosis and treatment take too long, the illness can lead to the fact that patients have to move in wheelchairs.

8. Graves' disease.

In Graves' disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and inhibits the production of hormones. This change in hormone production can cause symptoms such as increased heart rate, weight loss, nervousness, and heat intolerance.

9. Addison's disease.

Addison's disease is an autoimmune disease that affects adrenal glandsresponsible for the production of the hormones aldosterone and cortisol. Low levels of these hormones in the body can impair carbohydrate intake and storage, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, low glycemic index, and weakness.

10. Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves that control the muscles in the legs and upper body. This can cause muscle weakness in these regions and other symptoms that affect mobility.

11. Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

In this autoimmune disease, the production of thyroid hormones decreases, causing such symptoms like hair loss, fatigue, thyroid swelling, sensitivity to cold and weight gain.

12. Celiac disease.

Celiac disease (celiac disease) occurs when the immune system comes into contact with gluten (gluten) from food. Thus, people with this disease cannot eat foods that contain gluten.

13. Sjogren's Syndrome.

Sjogren's Syndrome Is another autoimmune pathology that affects the joints and glands that lubricate the eyes and mouth. Thus, the main symptoms of this syndrome are dry mouth and dry eyes, and joint pain.

14. Myasthenia gravis Gravis.

This autoimmune disease affects the nerves that help the brain control muscles. Thus, symptoms such as muscle weakness during physical activity and problems with swallowing and facial movements may occur.

15. Pernicious anemia.

Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disease that affects a protein called intrinsic factor that helps the intestines to metabolize vitamin B12 found in diet foods.

Flaw vitamin B12 reduces the synthesis of red blood cells, which, in turn, can impair the absorption of other nutrients and oxygen to various organs of the body.

16. Vasculitis.

Vasculitis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the blood vessels. This leads to inflammation, which reduces the size of the veins and arteries, which impairs blood circulation.

Symptoms of autoimmune diseases

Many autoimmune diseases usually have very similar initial symptoms. Thus, people with this type of disorder usually feel:

• muscle pain;
• fever;
• hair loss;
• fatigue;
• swelling and redness on the skin;
• difficulty concentration;
• skin rash;
• numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.

In some cases, such as people with type 1 diabetes, other symptoms such as intense thirst, weight loss and fatigue are observed. Irritable bowel syndrome, on the other hand, can cause abdominal swelling, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

In most cases, symptoms are temporary and can change over time. The period in which most symptoms occur is called a crisis, and the period in which symptoms stop is called remission.

Diagnostics, which doctors to contact

The occurrence of 1 or 2 of the above symptoms is not enough to make a diagnosis. But this is already a reason to look for a doctor.

There is no single test for diagnosing most autoimmune diseases. Thus, different tests may be required.

Typically, an anti-nuclear antibody test is the first test requested when an autoimmune disease is suspected. A positive result indicates that there is an ongoing autoimmune disease, but the test is unable to identify the specific disease.

The doctor may also order blood tests to see how the levels of inflammation in the body are going, or other tests to determine specific antibodies, which are usually carried out by a specialist when there is already an idea of ​​what disease has affected the patient.

Some specialists who treat autoimmune diseases:

• Rheumatologists in cases of arthritis or Sjogren's syndrome;
• Endocrinologists for the treatment of autoimmune thyroid diseases such as Graves' or Addison's disease;
• Dermatologists, with psoriasis;
• Gastroenterologistswhen the immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract, as in celiac disease and Crohn's disease.

Other doctors who can treat autoimmune diseases or help manage symptoms are physical therapists, nephrologists, neurologists, hematologists, and therapists.

Treatment

The most widely used drugs for the treatment of autoimmune diseases in general are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Naproxen sodium or Ibuprofen, and immunosuppressive drugs to regulate the activity of the immune system. Immunosuppressants help control the disease and maintain the integrity of the affected organ.

Your doctor may also suggest additional remedies to relieve pain, fatigue, swelling, and rashes.

Availability a balanced and healthy diet, and regular exercise also help maintain the symptoms of autoimmune diseases.

For certain medical conditions, such as type 1 diabetes, the patient needs insulin injections to regulate blood sugar levels. In the case of autoimmune thyroid disease, hormone replacement therapy may be required.

That is, each case is a separate case. It is imperative to see your doctor to determine the best treatment for your particular disease.

Can autoimmune diseases be cured?

Unfortunately, it cannot yet be said that autoimmune diseases are curable. What can be done is to get rid of the symptoms by controlling the overactive immune response and fighting inflammation.

In addition to medication, there are complementary or alternative treatments that can help relieve symptoms. Some of them - chiropractic, acupuncture, herbal medicine and hypnosis. However, research on their effectiveness is still not well understood, and it is not known if they actually help.

Although medication is essential for life, an excellent living environment can be achieved with autoimmune disease. Frequent physical activity, reducing stress and anxiety in daily life, and a balanced and healthy diet can help improve your life, even if you have autoimmune diseases.