Autoimmune Disorders - Immune Disorders. An autoimmune disorder is a malfunction of the body's immune system that causes the body to attack its own tissues. What triggers autoimmune disorders is not known. Symptoms vary depending on which disorder develops and which part of the body is affected. Several blood tests are often used to check for an autoimmune disorder. Treatment depends on the type of autoimmune disorder and often involves drugs that suppress the activity of the immune system. The immune system defends the body against what it perceives to be foreign or dangerous substances (see Recognition). Such substances include parasites (such as worms), certain cancer cells, and even transplanted organs and tissues. These substances have molecules that the immune system can identify and that can stimulate a response by the immune system. These molecules are called antigens. Antigens may be contained within cells or on the surface of cells (such as bacteria or cancer cells) or be part of a virus. Some antigens, such as pollen or food molecules, exist on their own. Cells in a person's own tissues also have antigens. But normally, the immune system reacts only to antigens from foreign or dangerous substances, not to antigens from a person's own tissues. However, the immune system sometimes malfunctions, interpreting the body's own tissues as foreign and producing antibodies (called autoantibodies) or immune cells that target and attack particular cells or tissues of the body. This response is called an autoimmune reaction. It results in inflammation and tissue damage. Such effects may constitute an autoimmune disorder, but many people produce such small amounts of autoantibodies that an autoimmune disorder does not occur. There are many autoimmune disorders. Some of the more common autoimmune disorders include Graves disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto thyroiditis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), and vasculitis. Additional disorders that are believed to be autoimmune include Addison disease, polymyositis, Sj. Itching is common. Metabolic Wellness and Longevity Institute. Welcome to the Metabolic Wellness and Longevity Institute, located in Warren, NJ. Our goal is to help you achieve optimal. In cases of immune system over activity, the body attacks and. A Note from Nick! I’ve teamed up with my good friend Dr. Kim D’Eramo, an expert in using EFT Tapping for autoimmune disorders, to bring you the most cutting edge. Author: Timothy C. Last edited: 10/2012. What is Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease? What Causes Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease? How is Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease. The disorder affects mainly older people and can be life threatening, especially in older people who have other disorders. Goodpasture syndrome. Lungs and kidneys. Symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coughing up blood, fatigue, and swelling, may develop. The prognosis is good if treatment begins before severe lung or kidney damage occurs. Graves disease. Thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is stimulated and enlarged, resulting in high levels of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism). Symptoms may include a rapid heart rate, intolerance of heat, tremor, weight loss, and nervousness. With treatment, the prognosis is good. Hashimoto thyroiditis. Thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is inflamed and damaged, resulting in low levels of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism). Symptoms may include weight gain, coarse skin, intolerance of cold, and drowsiness. Lifelong treatment with thyroid hormone is necessary and usually relieves the symptoms completely. Multiple sclerosis. Brain and spinal cord. The covering of affected nerve cells is damaged. As a result, the cells cannot conduct nerve signals normally. Symptoms may include weakness, abnormal sensations, vertigo, problems with vision, muscle spasms, and incontinence. Symptoms vary over time and may come and go. The prognosis varies. Myasthenia gravis. The connection between nerves and muscles (neuromuscular junction)Muscles, particularly those of the eyes, weaken and tire easily, but the weakness varies in intensity. Autoimmune Diseases Directory. Autoimmune disorders occur when the body's immune system reacts improperly, attacking and damaging the body itself. The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association is dedicated to the eradication of autoimmune diseases and the alleviation of suffering and the socioeconomic. The pattern of progression varies widely. Drugs can usually control the symptoms. Pemphigus vulgaris. Skin. Large blisters form on the skin and mucous membranes (such as those lining of the mouth). The disorder can be life threatening if untreated. Pernicious anemia. Certain cells in the stomach's lining. Damage to cells in the stomach's lining makes absorbing vitamin B1. Nerves can be damaged, resulting in weakness and loss of sensation. Without treatment, the spinal cord may be damaged, eventually contributing to loss of sensation, weakness, and incontinence. The risk of stomach cancer is increased. Otherwise, with treatment, the prognosis is good. Rheumatoid arthritis. Joints or other tissues, such as lung, nerve, skin, and heart tissue. Many symptoms are possible. They include fever, fatigue, joint pain, joint stiffness, deformed joints, shortness of breath, loss of sensation, weakness, rashes, chest pain, and swollen joints and tendons. The prognosis varies. Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus)Joints, kidneys, skin, lungs, heart, brain, and blood cells. The joints, although inflamed, do not become deformed. Symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue, weakness, and light- headedness, and those of kidney, lung, or heart disorders, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, itching, and chest pain, may occur. A rash may develop. Hair loss is common. The prognosis varies widely, but most people can lead an active life despite occasional flare- ups of the disorder. Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Beta cells of the pancreas (which produce insulin)Symptoms may include excessive thirst, urination, and appetite, as well as various long- term complications. Lifelong treatment with insulin is needed, even if the destruction of pancreatic cells stops, because not enough pancreatic cells remain to produce enough insulin. The prognosis varies greatly and tends to be worse when the disease is severe and lasts a long time. Vasculitis. Blood vessels. Vasculitis can affect blood vessels in one part of the body (such as the nerves, head, skin, kidneys, lungs, or intestine) or several parts. There are several types. Symptoms (such as rashes, abdominal pain, weight loss, difficulty breathing, cough, chest pain, headache, loss of vision, and symptoms of nerve damage or kidney failure) depend on which part of the body is affected. The prognosis depends on the cause and how much tissue is damaged. Usually, the prognosis is much better with treatment. Autoimmune diseases . But there could be some risks for the mother or baby, depending on the disease and how severe it is. For instance, pregnant women with lupus have a higher risk of preterm birth and stillbirth. Pregnant women with myasthenia gravis (MG) might have symptoms that lead to trouble breathing during pregnancy. For some women, symptoms tend to improve during pregnancy, while others find their symptoms tend to flare up. Also, some medicines used to treat autoimmune diseases might not be safe to use during pregnancy. If you want to have a baby, talk to your doctor before you start trying to get pregnant. Your doctor might suggest that you wait until your disease is in remission or suggest a change in medicines before you start trying. You also might need to see a doctor who cares for women with high- risk pregnancies. Some women with autoimmune diseases may have problems getting pregnant. This can happen for many reasons. Tests can tell if fertility problems are caused by an autoimmune disease or an unrelated reason. Fertility treatments are able to help some women with autoimmune disease become pregnant.
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