About Autoimmune Diseases

Often confused with cancer or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), the term autoimmune disease classifies more than 80 illnesses that result when the immune system begins attacking the cells in your body's healthy tissue. The immune system normally works to rid the body of outside invaders (antigens). With an autoimmune disease, the immune system begins working hyperactively to combat the perceived threat of the healthy cells.

Types of Autoimmune Diseases

• The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) reports that the types of autoimmune disease usually divide into two groups: organ specific and non-organ specific. Organ specific autoimmune diseases affect particular organs. The immune system affects the organ by interfering with its function, directly attacking the tissue of the organ or causing the organ to grow to an excessive size. In some cases, a person may have more than one organ specific autoimmune disease. Type-1 diabetes and Addison's disease may appear together, for example.

  The effects of non-organ specific autoimmune diseases are seen throughout the entire body. The result of the overactive immune system may cause inflammation in joints, muscles or organs. The blood may also be targeted by the renegade immune system, which could cause clotting in a blood vessel. Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are examples of non-organ specific autoimmune diseases.

Symptoms

• According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website, autoimmune diseases can strike any part of the body, and because the classification includes such a wide spectrum of the diseases, the symptoms vary. The Johns Hopkins Autoimmune Research Center reports that autoimmunity may occur in any system in the body.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis for an autoimmune disease poses several challenges. The wide range of diseases crosses multiple medical specialties. Patients often have incomplete medical records. The symptoms for some autoimmune diseases may disappear for months at a time, and the symptom for others have such a subtle onset that you don't notice immediately.

  To help increase the likelihood of an accurate diagnosis, the AARDA has some suggestions:
  • Keep a medical history for your family. Genetics play a role in autoimmune diseases.
  • Track your symptoms. Keep a log of when the symptom occurred, the discomfort level, and how long the symptom lasted.
  • Ask the doctor if she has any experience with autoimmune disease.
  • Seek referrals to experienced physicians.
  • Get a thorough medical examination. You may need multiple kinds of tests.
  • Get another opinion or two, if you feel you need it.

Treatment

• The broad array of autoimmune diseases plays a role in limiting the treatment. Some of these diseases can be managed by treating the symptoms with drug therapy and lifestyle changes. The specific treatment will depend largely on which disease you have.

  Some treatments include drugs that work to reduce the activity of the immune system, but infection from outside antigens may occur if the immune system is suppressed too deeply. Some patients will need supplemental hormones, insulin or vitamins to help combat the damage from the autoimmune disease. Others may require physical therapy to help repair damaged bones or muscles.

Causes

• Genetics and environmental factors both seem to play a role in developing an autoimmune disease. The exact cause is unknown. The AARDA estimates that 20 percent of Americans suffer from an autoimmune disease, and women in their childbearing years are 75 percent more likely to develop an autoimmune disease than men.