The immune system is a network of tissues and cells that work together to protect the body from external attacks such as infections, bacteria, and viruses. They identify, kill, and remove the attackers that might cause harm to the body.
Usually, the immune system can differentiate between your own cells and foreign cells. However, when they mistakenly attack the body cells, the condition is called autoimmunity.
In the following article, we dig deep into understanding autoimmune diseases, their causes, types, and those who are at risk of getting them. Read through for a detailed outline.
What are autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune disorders are conditions of the body that leads to abnormal overactivity or low activity of the immune systems. In cases of overactivity, the system attacks and destroys its own cells and tissues. This condition is known as an autoimmune disorder.
On the other hand, low immune system activity lowers the body’s ability to defend its tissues and cells from external attacks hence leading to vulnerability to infections and diseases.
While responding to different triggers, the system may start releasing antibodies that turn to the body tissues instead of attacking external invaders. Autoimmune diseases’ treatment often focuses on lowering the immune system over activities.
Types of autoimmune diseases.
While there are various forms of autoimmune disorders, this post outlines only the common ones. Check the following section for these disorders.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
This is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects body joints, including feet and hands. The immune system release antibodies that get attached to the joint linings and then attack them causing swelling, inflammation, and pain.
If not promptly treated, the condition can lead to permanent joint problems. The treatment may include injectable and oral medications that reduce immune system overactivity.
- Lupus.
Also known as systemic lupus erythematosus, it is a common autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks body tissues leading to widespread tissue damage and inflammation in various body organs.
It normally affects the joints, nerves, lungs, blood cells, and even sexual organs. The treatment requires consistent use of oral prednisone, a form of steroid used to reduce activities of the immune system.
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus.
In this case, the Immune system invades and damages insulin-producing cells found in the pancreas, leading to low insulin in the body. Once diagnosed, individuals will need consistent insulin injections to survive.
- The Graves’ disease.
This is an immune system disorder that causes a butterfly-shaped gland in the throat. While many disorders can lead to hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease is the common one.
The immune system releases antibodies that make thyroid glands produce a lot of thyroid hormones into the blood system. Graves’ disease symptoms include weight loss, bulging eyes, nervousness, rapid heart rate, irritability, weakness, and brittle hairs.
Treatment of this condition involves using medicines or surgery to destroy or remove the thyroid glands.
Diagnosis of autoimmune diseases.
There is no single test that has been proved to diagnose autoimmune disorders. However, your doctor will apply a combination of physical examinations, tests, and a review of the symptoms to ascertain if you have this condition.
Usually, the antinuclear antibody test is the primary test that doctors use if the symptoms point to the possible presence of autoimmune disease symptoms. A positive result will suggest that you have either of the discussed conditions, but it won’t show the exact one, or if there is any at all.
Also, the doctor may perform nonspecific tests to confirm the type of inflammation the condition produces in the body to point out the exact disease.
Treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Although treatment cannot cure these disorders, they can control the immune system over activities and reduce the inflammation and pains associated with them. The following are the drugs used to treat autoimmune diseases;
- Immune suppressing medications.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like naproxen and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
There are also other treatments that can be used to relieve pains, fatigue, swelling, and skin rashes. Getting regular exercise and eating a balanced diet can also make you feel better when you have this condition.
In a nutshell, major treatment of autoimmune disorders is through drugs that are used to reduce inflammation and minimize over activities of the immune systems.
Conclusion.
There are more than 80 autoimmune diseases globally. But due to overlapping symptoms, their diagnosis is often difficult. These diseases are more common in women than men, and they tend to be hereditary in the family.
Although there is no proven method of diagnosis, blood tests that check for autoantibodies can enable doctors to diagnose them. And treatments, though not a cure, can help reduce the symptoms and relieve inflammations. These treatments include anti-inflammation suppressants and NSAIDs used to reduce overactive immune system response and inflammation in the body.
