See also...
Lupus
Hashimoto’s
thyroiditis
Graves’
disease
Guillain-Barre
syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome
What is an autoimmune disease?
The
term "autoimmune disease" refers to a varied group
of more than 80 serious, chronic illnesses that involve almost
every human organ system. In all of these diseases, the underlying
problem is similar--the body’s immune system becomes
misdirected, attacking the very organs it was designed to
protect. About 75% of autoimmune diseases occur in women,
most frequently during the childbearing years. Autoimmune
diseases can affect connective tissue. (This is the tissue
which binds together various tissues and organs.) It can also
affect the nerves, muscles, endocrine system, and gastrointestinal
system.
What are some of the
most common examples of autoimmune diseases?
Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic sclerosis all affect
the connective tissue. Multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis,
and Gullian-Barre syndromes are neuromuscular diseases. On
the other hand, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’
disease, and insulin-dependent/juvenile diabetes (type 1)
are all related to the endocrine system. Finally, inflammatory
bowel disease is an autoimmune disease which attacks the gastrointestinal
system.
What causes autoimmune diseases?
Unfortunately,
autoimmune diseases remain among the most poorly understood
of any category of illness. It is thought that hormones play
a role in inducing autoimmune diseases; some cases suddenly
improve during pregnancy, some flare-ups occur after delivery,
while others will get worse during pregnancy, or flare up
after menopause.
Autoimmune
diseases seem to also have a hereditary component, but mysteriously,
they can cluster in families as different illnesses. For example,
a mother may have lupus erythematosus; her daughter, diabetes;
her grandmother, rheumatoid arthritis. Research is shedding
light on genetic, as well as hormonal and environmental risk
factors that contribute to the causes of these diseases.
How are autoimmune diseases diagnosed?
The
diagnosis of an autoimmune disease is based on an individual’s
symptoms, findings from a physical examination, and results
from laboratory tests. Autoimmune diseases are difficult to
diagnose, especially in the early stages of the disease. In
some cases a specific diagnosis cannot be made; the patient
must continue to follow up on the disease with frequent consultations
with a physician. Although autoimmune diseases are chronic,
the course they take is unpredictable. Patients should be
monitored closely by their doctors so environmental factors
or triggers can be avoided.
How are autoimmune diseases treated?
Autoimmune
diseases are often chronic, requiring lifelong care and monitoring,
even when the person may look or feel well. Currently, few
autoimmune diseases can be cured or disappear with treatment.
However, many people with these diseases live relatively normal
and healthy lives when they receive the proper medical care.
Physicians
often help patients manage the consequences of the disease.
For example, people suffering from Type 1 diabetes will be
prescribed insulin to control blood sugar levels. In some
diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, medication
can occasionally slow or stop the immune system’s destruction
of the kidneys or joints. These medications are called immunosuppressive
medications and sometimes can have serious side effects. Ultimately,
medical science is striving to design therapies that prevent
and cure autoimmune diseases.
For More Information...
You can find out more about autoimmune diseases by contacting
the following organizations:
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin
Diseases
Internet Address: http://www.nih.gov/niams/
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Internet Address: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/
National Organization for Rare Diseases
Phone Number(s): (800) 999-6673 or 999-NORD
Internet Address: http://www.rarediseases.org/
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
Phone Number(s): (800) 598-4668 (Literature Requests)
Internet Address: http://www.aarda.org/
This information was abstracted from fact sheets developed
by the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health
and Human Services and the National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases (Autoimmune Disease in Women).
All material contained in the FAQs is free of copyright restrictions,
and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission
of the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health
and Human Services; citation of the source is appreciated.
