Autoimmune Disease Treatment
Autoimmunity is a medical condition whereby the immune system of the body attacks the body, thereby creating destruction and inflammation of the body system. This is a defect, since the immune system is only supposed to attack foreign and harmful organisms. In this case though, the system attacks the body mistakenly, in that there is no threat. The only threat to the body here is the immune system itself. There are several types of known autoimmune diseases, which include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus among others. It has been argued that autism could be a condition due to autoimmunity, although this is yet to be fully and universally classified and accepted as an autoimmune disease.
Several factors are important in determining autoimmune disease treatment. Among them are the type of the disease, severity of the disease and the symptoms exhibited. The main aim of autoimmune disease treatment is to relieve symptoms and to maintain and preserve functions of vital organs. The other function of treatment is to target the disease mechanisms, and cushion the body from autoimmunity. The medical specialists commonly known for autoimmune disease treatment include rheumatologists, endocrinologists and neurologists.
Through autoimmune disease treatment, the patient is able to get some relief. To get relief from autoimmunity symptoms, treatment may involve ordinary medication, or even surgery. In preserving vital organ functions, treatment serves to mostly prevent organ damage. That is, in case the liver is involved, for instance, autoimmune disease treatment will help in reducing the rate and general action of liver damage. This is because if it is left unchecked, organ damage would most certainly only lead to more serious medical complications for the patient.
Autoimmune disease treatment may include medication to control inflammation in the organs such as the kidney, especially for cases of lupus. In diabetes, insulin injection is administered to regulate blood sugar.
However, it is important to note that autoimmune disease treatment is not meant for stopping the autoimmune disease. Since there is no known way to stop the immune system from fighting organisms it 'feels' are a threat, there is still no way to stop or cure this condition of autoimmune disease. Rather, treatment is useful in preserving the body organs, thereby saving crucial organ functions. This in turn goes a long way in helping people living with the diseases, and related complications to better cope with the condition.
Showing posts with label Autoimmune Disease Symptoms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Autoimmune Disease Symptoms. Show all posts
Monday, June 23, 2014
Autoimmune Disease Symptoms
Autoimmune Disease Symptoms
Autoimmune disease is a broad term to describe a variety of different diseases. The only common thing among all of these diseases is the immunological response of the patients. The disease may be manifested in a myriad of different ways, but the basic mechanism is always same, with altered immunity or altered immunological system response.
Depending upon the disease manifestation of Auto immunity the symptoms can vary widely. If the Auto immune disease is organ specific then the symptoms are also organ specific. If the Auto immune disease is non organ specific then the symptoms will also be in the same manner.
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis:
The usual patients are between 20 and 60 years of age. They visit the doctor with a small or moderately sized goiter, which is firm or rubbery to touch. About 25 5 of these patients are Hypothyroid and present with symptoms of Hypothyroidism. Sudden gain of weight, dryness of the skin and hair, brittleness of the hair, excessive fatigue, easy tiredness, palpitations, constipation, distension of the abdomen, menstrual irregularities or even amenorrhea, etc are the various symptoms of hypothyroidism. The remaining 75 % of the patients may be having normal or slightly raised serum TSH, with normal T4. But they are at a risk of developing Hypothyroidism in the future.
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
RA or rheumatoid arthritis is another common manifestation of Auto immune diseases. Here the major involvement is of the joints of the body. The involvement of the joints is typically symmetrical, destructive and deformative. It is characterized by various episodes of remissions and exacerbations, and is typically prolonged and chronic in nature. The disability caused by Rheumatoid arthritis can be very much extensive. There is wide spread tissue and muscle wasting, bone erosions, loss of cartilage and fibrositis and tendinitis of the joints. The joints can be rendered totally useless with spindling of the joints and hands are typically seen like the neck of a swan.
Good Pasture's Syndrome
Good Pasture's syndrome is another Auto immune disorder affecting the Kidneys. This disease involves proliferative glomerulo nephritis. The usual presenting picture is that of acute renal failure. There may be associated bleeding inside the lungs, (intrapulmonary hemorrhage) and this can lead to spitting of blood or haemoptysis.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
This is a type of generalized Auto immune disease. Here the symptoms are a trio of arthritis, arthralgia and fever. The arthritis may be very short in duration and may shift from one joint to another joint
Autoimmune disease is a broad term to describe a variety of different diseases. The only common thing among all of these diseases is the immunological response of the patients. The disease may be manifested in a myriad of different ways, but the basic mechanism is always same, with altered immunity or altered immunological system response.
Depending upon the disease manifestation of Auto immunity the symptoms can vary widely. If the Auto immune disease is organ specific then the symptoms are also organ specific. If the Auto immune disease is non organ specific then the symptoms will also be in the same manner.
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis:
The usual patients are between 20 and 60 years of age. They visit the doctor with a small or moderately sized goiter, which is firm or rubbery to touch. About 25 5 of these patients are Hypothyroid and present with symptoms of Hypothyroidism. Sudden gain of weight, dryness of the skin and hair, brittleness of the hair, excessive fatigue, easy tiredness, palpitations, constipation, distension of the abdomen, menstrual irregularities or even amenorrhea, etc are the various symptoms of hypothyroidism. The remaining 75 % of the patients may be having normal or slightly raised serum TSH, with normal T4. But they are at a risk of developing Hypothyroidism in the future.
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
RA or rheumatoid arthritis is another common manifestation of Auto immune diseases. Here the major involvement is of the joints of the body. The involvement of the joints is typically symmetrical, destructive and deformative. It is characterized by various episodes of remissions and exacerbations, and is typically prolonged and chronic in nature. The disability caused by Rheumatoid arthritis can be very much extensive. There is wide spread tissue and muscle wasting, bone erosions, loss of cartilage and fibrositis and tendinitis of the joints. The joints can be rendered totally useless with spindling of the joints and hands are typically seen like the neck of a swan.
Good Pasture's Syndrome
Good Pasture's syndrome is another Auto immune disorder affecting the Kidneys. This disease involves proliferative glomerulo nephritis. The usual presenting picture is that of acute renal failure. There may be associated bleeding inside the lungs, (intrapulmonary hemorrhage) and this can lead to spitting of blood or haemoptysis.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
This is a type of generalized Auto immune disease. Here the symptoms are a trio of arthritis, arthralgia and fever. The arthritis may be very short in duration and may shift from one joint to another joint
Autoimmune Disease Lupus
Autoimmune Disease Lupus
Lupus, short form for systemic lupus erythematosus or simply SLE, is an autoimmune disease meaning the cells of the body and tissues are attacked by the body's immune system. The disease affects the skin, joints, lungs, kidneys, nervous system, and heart, among other organs of the body. Autoimmune disease lupus is 10 times more prevalent in women than in men and while it can develop at any age, the onset generally occurs between ages 18 and 45.
The manifestation of autoimmune disease lupus varies significantly, making it difficult to diagnose especially at the early stages of infection. It isn't uncommon for lupus symptoms to resemble those of other types of rheumatic and arthritis diseases. Some of the unique symptoms of autoimmune lupus that can not be mistaken however include the characteristic butterfly rash known as malar rash that affects the checks and the nose., hair loss, nephritis, arthritis, fatigue among others.
Other early symptoms of autoimmune disease lupus can include photosensitivity, joint pains, vulnerability to viruses and other infections, unexplained swollen glands, conditions like pleurisy, patients may feel depressed, which may worsen in adverse weather conditions. Seizures, hallucinations, severe confusion, mouth sores are few of the less common, but still noteworthy symptoms of autoimmune disease lupus.
There are Several types of lupus that exist today i.e. Discoid lupus, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, Neonatal lupus, and Drug-induced lupus. The causes of autoimmune disease lupus are yet to be known, but being an autoimmune disease, the reason why the immune system malfunctions cannot be understood well but as in the case of other autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, etc, it is suspected to involve both environmental and genetic factors.
Because of the varying symptoms and unique manifestations of the same, it is always advisable to explain to the doctor all the symptoms you might have if you suspect you might be suffering from lupus. Diagnosis of autoimmune disease lupus is complicated based on the ways in which the condition first manifests itself. There is no single test that doctors use to diagnose autoimmune disease lupus, but the diagnosis will be determined by a number of factors such as blood tests, clinical symptoms and the patient's medical history.
Some people react positively to treatment upon diagnosis although still others will experience different levels of complications. Every individual is different, and the disease can change its manifestation as it progresses.
Lupus, short form for systemic lupus erythematosus or simply SLE, is an autoimmune disease meaning the cells of the body and tissues are attacked by the body's immune system. The disease affects the skin, joints, lungs, kidneys, nervous system, and heart, among other organs of the body. Autoimmune disease lupus is 10 times more prevalent in women than in men and while it can develop at any age, the onset generally occurs between ages 18 and 45.
The manifestation of autoimmune disease lupus varies significantly, making it difficult to diagnose especially at the early stages of infection. It isn't uncommon for lupus symptoms to resemble those of other types of rheumatic and arthritis diseases. Some of the unique symptoms of autoimmune lupus that can not be mistaken however include the characteristic butterfly rash known as malar rash that affects the checks and the nose., hair loss, nephritis, arthritis, fatigue among others.
Other early symptoms of autoimmune disease lupus can include photosensitivity, joint pains, vulnerability to viruses and other infections, unexplained swollen glands, conditions like pleurisy, patients may feel depressed, which may worsen in adverse weather conditions. Seizures, hallucinations, severe confusion, mouth sores are few of the less common, but still noteworthy symptoms of autoimmune disease lupus.
There are Several types of lupus that exist today i.e. Discoid lupus, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, Neonatal lupus, and Drug-induced lupus. The causes of autoimmune disease lupus are yet to be known, but being an autoimmune disease, the reason why the immune system malfunctions cannot be understood well but as in the case of other autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, etc, it is suspected to involve both environmental and genetic factors.
Because of the varying symptoms and unique manifestations of the same, it is always advisable to explain to the doctor all the symptoms you might have if you suspect you might be suffering from lupus. Diagnosis of autoimmune disease lupus is complicated based on the ways in which the condition first manifests itself. There is no single test that doctors use to diagnose autoimmune disease lupus, but the diagnosis will be determined by a number of factors such as blood tests, clinical symptoms and the patient's medical history.
Some people react positively to treatment upon diagnosis although still others will experience different levels of complications. Every individual is different, and the disease can change its manifestation as it progresses.
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