When a bacterial organism, a virus or a protozoan gains entry into the body, the immune system is activated to fight it off. The same also occurs when we suffer from cancerous and inflammatory conditions. In some cases, however, element in our own tissues activate the system and cause auto immune diseases. There are a number of facts on auto immune disorders Charlotte residents need to be aware of if they have been diagnosed with the condition.
Up to 80 autoimmune conditions have been identified. Close to 50 million of Americans are suffering from one form of the condition or the other. For unknown reasons, most of these conditions are more prevalent in women than men. Diagnosing the specific type often takes time due to the fact that they tend to have the same symptomatic pattern. At the same time, some patients may have more than one type.
One of the most widely studied conditions is diabetes mellitus type 1. This metabolic disorder is the result of absolute insulin deficiency. Autoantibodies attack the insulin-producing cells found in the pancreases and impair production of the hormone. It is believed that the formation of these autoantibodies is due to a number of factors including infection by a virus. Persons with the condition need insulin therapy for their entire life to keep blood sugar levels normal.
Another commonly encountered condition is rheumatoid arthritis. The antibodies that are produced here target and destroy the inner lining of small joints of the toes and fingers. The result is chronic inflammation that is associated with swelling and pain. If intervention does not take place early, the joints may be damaged permanently and function impaired. Management is mainly through the use of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant drugs.
Inflammatory bowel disease affects the large and the small intestines. There are two main types of this condition: ulcerative colitis and Chrons disease. The latter type is more aggressive. The cause of the problem is the presence of antibodies that attack the mucosa and muscular layers leading to inflammation. Patients will usually complain of diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, weight loss and fever among others. Immunosuppressant drugs help to reduce symptom severity.
The nervous system may also be affected by a number of autoimmune condition. Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects peripheral nerves causing loss of the protective coat known as myelin. The symptoms include visual impairment, weakness, muscle spasms, pain and lack of coordination. Myasthenia gravis affects the nerve endings and impairs proper function of muscles. Pyridostignime is the drug of choice. Gullain Barre Syndrome, GBS is another example.
Graves disease and Hashimotos thyroiditis are examples of autoimmune conditions that affect the thyroid gland. In the case of Graves, the immune system produces autoantibodies that cause thyroid gland stimulation. The result of this is increased thyroid hormone in circulation a condition also referred to as hyperthyroidism. In Hashimotos, antibodies attack the gland leading to reduced hormone production (hypothyroidism).
There are many other types of conditions that affect various systems. The skin, for example, is involved in vitiligo, scleroderma and psoriasis. Multiple systems are involved in systemic lupus erythematosus while the blood is affected in pernicious anemia. In all cases, the principle of treatment is to suppress the immune system. Analgesic agents are also frequently prescribed to relieve the pain.
Up to 80 autoimmune conditions have been identified. Close to 50 million of Americans are suffering from one form of the condition or the other. For unknown reasons, most of these conditions are more prevalent in women than men. Diagnosing the specific type often takes time due to the fact that they tend to have the same symptomatic pattern. At the same time, some patients may have more than one type.
One of the most widely studied conditions is diabetes mellitus type 1. This metabolic disorder is the result of absolute insulin deficiency. Autoantibodies attack the insulin-producing cells found in the pancreases and impair production of the hormone. It is believed that the formation of these autoantibodies is due to a number of factors including infection by a virus. Persons with the condition need insulin therapy for their entire life to keep blood sugar levels normal.
Another commonly encountered condition is rheumatoid arthritis. The antibodies that are produced here target and destroy the inner lining of small joints of the toes and fingers. The result is chronic inflammation that is associated with swelling and pain. If intervention does not take place early, the joints may be damaged permanently and function impaired. Management is mainly through the use of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant drugs.
Inflammatory bowel disease affects the large and the small intestines. There are two main types of this condition: ulcerative colitis and Chrons disease. The latter type is more aggressive. The cause of the problem is the presence of antibodies that attack the mucosa and muscular layers leading to inflammation. Patients will usually complain of diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, weight loss and fever among others. Immunosuppressant drugs help to reduce symptom severity.
The nervous system may also be affected by a number of autoimmune condition. Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects peripheral nerves causing loss of the protective coat known as myelin. The symptoms include visual impairment, weakness, muscle spasms, pain and lack of coordination. Myasthenia gravis affects the nerve endings and impairs proper function of muscles. Pyridostignime is the drug of choice. Gullain Barre Syndrome, GBS is another example.
Graves disease and Hashimotos thyroiditis are examples of autoimmune conditions that affect the thyroid gland. In the case of Graves, the immune system produces autoantibodies that cause thyroid gland stimulation. The result of this is increased thyroid hormone in circulation a condition also referred to as hyperthyroidism. In Hashimotos, antibodies attack the gland leading to reduced hormone production (hypothyroidism).
There are many other types of conditions that affect various systems. The skin, for example, is involved in vitiligo, scleroderma and psoriasis. Multiple systems are involved in systemic lupus erythematosus while the blood is affected in pernicious anemia. In all cases, the principle of treatment is to suppress the immune system. Analgesic agents are also frequently prescribed to relieve the pain.
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