Autoimmune disorders occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissues. It is a disease involving the formation of auto-antibodies that cause pathological damage to the host. It may be associated with sepsis and hepatitis, which are serious medical conditions that include build up of inflammatory cells in organs. This kind of disease is prevalent nowadays partly because of the advancement in technology, particularly in the field of medicine.
To learn more about autoimmune disorders, listed below is some helpful information:
1. Causes. As we all know, white blood cells protect our body from harmful substances known as antigens. Our whole immune system produces antibodies to help destroy unwanted substances that enter our bodies. With the occurrence of autoimmune disorders, the immune system can't distinguish between a normal and healthy body tissue from antigens allowing it to also destroy the former. The absolute cause of autoimmune disorder is still unknown, but studies show that certain microorganisms and drugs may cause some of these changes. Destruction of different types of body tissue, abnormal growth of an organ and changes in organ function are only some of the outcomes of having an autoimmune disorder. Some of the organs and tissues affected by this kind of disorder are the red blood cells, blood vessels, connective tissues, endocrine glands like thyroid/pancreas, muscles, joints, and skin.
2. Types. There are around 80 or more types of autoimmune disorders, and that includes the following:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus, which is a general autoimmune disease and occurs when antibodies attack various tissues. This type of autoimmune disease is prevalent in young and middle-aged women.
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is a kind of thyroid disease caused by the binding of an antibody to the cells in the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormone production is lessened by this occurrence.
- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, which occurs when antibodies that coat red blood cells are produced by the body.
3. Symptoms. Symptoms of autoimmune diseases may vary depending on the type. Dizziness, fatigue, generally feeling ill and low-grade fever is a group of symptoms that is evident in all autoimmune diseases. Allergy is one of the autoimmune reactions that contain inflammation and redness of the skin.
4. Treatment. Treatment is done to reduce the symptoms and control the autoimmune process. It also aids in the maintenance of the body's ability to fight diseases. The kind of treatment used depends on the specific disease and symptoms. Immunosuppressive medicines such as corticosteroids and nonsteroid medicines like cyclophosphamide, tacrolimus, and azathioprine are given to patients to control their immune system's response. Most autoimmune diseases are chronic, though they can be controlled using the proper treatment. Flare-up is the medical term for sudden and severe development of symptoms that happens in some patients.
An autoimmune disease can happen to anybody, but by eating a proper diet and living a clean and healthy lifestyle, one is sure to help prevent it. Going through your family history may also help you in knowing if you are predisposed to have such kind of a disease. As the saying goes, prevention is definitely better than cure.
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