Autoimmune Diseases.
Imagine that your body is a castle and your immune system is your army fighting off invaders like bacteria. If your army malfunctions and attacks the castle, you may have lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and/or psoriasis, among a hundred other autoimmune diseases. You may experience pain, fatigue, dizziness, rashes, depression and many more symptoms.
What is autoimmune disease?.
Autoimmune disease occurs when your body is unable to tell the difference between your own cells and foreign cells, making you more susceptible to infections and causing inflammation that leads to redness, pain, and swelling. Normally, your body’s immune system attacks germs like bacteria and viruses, but with an autoimmune disease, proteins called autoantibodies attack healthy cells.
Some common autoimmune disease symptoms include unexplained rashes, body aches, brain fog , and more— and can be more or less severe depending on the type of disease.
How do autoimmune diseases work?.
Experts don’t know why your immune system turns on you. It’s like it can no longer tell the difference between what’s healthy and what’s not — between what’s you and what’s an invader. There are some theories about why this happens, but experts aren’t completely sure.
Types Of Autoimmune Diseases.
There are over 80 different types of autoimmune diseases, such as Type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis, that attack different parts of your body. Some of the most common types of autoimmune diseases are:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus
Celiac disease
Hashimoto’s disease
Sjögren’s syndrome
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Multiple sclerosis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Type 1 diabetes
Alopecia areata
Vasculitis
Temporal arteritis.
Common Signs and Symptoms.
Inflammation, which can cause tissue and organ damage, is the main trigger behind the symptoms of autoimmune diseases.
Signs and symptoms that are common to most autoimmune diseases include;
- Fatigue
- Pain and swelling in the muscles, connective tissues, and/or joints
- Skin rashes
- Stomach ache
- Swollen glands
- Recurring low-grade fever
- Trouble concentrating
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.
Are autoimmune diseases contagious?.
No.
Are autoimmune diseases fatal?.
Autoimmune diseases are one of the top 10 causes of death in women in all age groups (up to age 64).
How are autoimmune diseases treated.
There are no cures for autoimmune diseases, but symptoms can be managed. Everyone’s immune system, genetics and environment are different. That means that your treatment must be unique.
Some examples of medications used to treat autoimmune diseases include:
- Painkillers.
- Anti inflammatories.
- Medications for depression and anxiety.
- Insulin injections.
- Sleeping medications.
- Plasma exchanges.
- Corticosteroids.
- Rash creams and pills.
- Intravenous immune globulin.
- Drugs that suppress (subdue) your immune system.
Some people try complementary (alternative) medicines and procedures. Examples include:
- Herbs.
- Acupuncture.
- Hypnosis.
- Chiropractic procedures.
Can autoimmune diseases be prevented?.
It may not be possible to prevent autoimmune diseases. But, some experts recommend that you try:
- Exercising consistently.
- Staying away from cigarettes.
- Avoiding toxins.
- Eating a healthy diet.
- Limiting processed foods from your diet.
There are many autoimmune diseases. Some cause distressing symptoms that affect a person’s quality of life but otherwise are not life threatening. Other autoimmune conditions are more serious and can cause lasting tissue damage.
In many cases, management strategies such as taking medication, modifying the diet, and making lifestyle changes can help reduce the symptoms.
A doctor can help diagnose and recommend treatments for specific autoimmune conditions.
Living with an autoimmune disease can be complicated. Diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis are complex and serious. Although there are no cures for these diseases, many of their symptoms can be treated, and sometimes they go into remission. Stay in touch with your healthcare provider about any advances in understanding and treating autoimmune diseases.
If you think you may have an autoimmune disease, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. Your symptoms will be easier to control if the condition is treated promptly.
