The immune system of the body is responsible for protecting the body against foreign bodies like bacteria and viruses. But what happens when the immune system starts giving faulty signals? Autoimmune diseases result when the immune system starts attacking its own special cells and tissues. As many as 80 different autoimmune diseases are affecting people across the world. The most common autoimmune disorders include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, diabetes type 1, multiple sclerosis and grave's disease.
Women stand at a greater risk of getting affected by autoimmune diseases, and the risk intensifies during their childbearing years. It is believed that sex hormones play a role in the development of autoimmune diseases. These diseases can fall under two broad categories - Organ Specific and Non-Organ Specific autoimmune diseases. Organ specific autoimmune diseases affect only one organ of the body while the latter affects multiple organs and systems.
What are the Most Common Autoimmune Disorders?
- Diabetes Type 1: This disorder affects the pancreas. The condition is characterized by frequent thirst and urination, loss of weight and an increased vulnerability to infections.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is a disease of the joints. The joints suffer inflammations and deformities. This disease might also produce adverse effects on the eyes, lungs and heart.
- Psoriasis: This is a skin disorder. This disease involves the development of thick, reddened skin scales.
- Grave's Disease: This is a disorder of the thyroid gland. Elevated heart rate, loss of weight, diarrhea and anxiety are the symptoms of this disorder.
- Scleroderma: This is a skin disorder which facilitates the formation of scar tissue. The skin becomes thick, the joints get stiffened and there is a development of skin ulcers.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The symptoms of this disorder are diarrhea and abdominal pain.
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: This is a connective tissue disorder which can affect any organ tissue of the body. This condition is characterized by the development of facial rash, weight loss, inflammation of the joints and fever.
- Multiple Sclerosis: This is a disorder of the nervous system. Typical symptoms include paralysis, vision impairment and numbness.
Factors That Might Cause Autoimmune Disorders
- Sex Hormones: Autoimmune disorders are more common in women than in men. A woman in her childbearing years is more susceptible to autoimmune diseases. Major hormonal changes in phases like pregnancy, childbirth and menopause trigger the possibilities of development of autoimmune diseases.
- Genetics: Autoimmune disorders are seen to run in families, but not every member of a family is going to be affected by the same type of disorder. For example, one might suffer from diabetes type 1 while another might experience symptoms of Psoriasis.
- Environmental Factors: Autoimmune diseases, which are believed to be hereditary in nature, might have some connections with common environmental factors. So it can be said that heredity and common environmental factors work in conjunction to cause autoimmune diseases.
What are the Various Treatment Options Available?
It is quite difficult to diagnose an autoimmune disease in its early stages. Physical examinations, biopsy, x rays, blood tests and medical history can be considered for a proper diagnosis. The disorders cannot be cured, but can be controlled with the help of the following treatments:
- Corticosteroids: These medications specifically target inflammations. They can be effectively deployed to handle an acute burst of symptoms.
- Deficiency Treatments: A typical example of such an option is the use of insulin injections to treat diabetes.
- Anti-Inflammatory Medications: These medications aim to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Pain Killers: Drugs like paracetamol and codeine can act as pain relief.
- Physical Therapy: This can promote mobility in cases of disorders which involve pain and inflammation of the joints.
- Immunosuppressant Medications: These drugs hinder the activities of the immune system. It has been found that early intervention with these drugs can go a long way to cure some conditions.
One has to accept the fact that the autoimmune diseases cannot be cured completely, but proper management of the conditions is always possible through a variety of methods. One can reduce the symptoms of the disorders to considerable extents and can lead a normal life.
A nice article.