Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders where the immune system malfunctions and starts to attack the persons own body. These can be organ specific like Hypothyroidism or systemic, involving multiple organs like Lupus. These diseases have no cure.

About the disease

The immune system is a defence mechanism that protects our body from attack by pathogens (bacteria, virus, fungi, etc). The immune system are of two types - innate immune system (present from birth) and adaptive immune system (develops when exposed to infections). The immune system is composed of the bone marrow, thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, and various components of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.

The normal immune system is able to differentiate our own cells from those of invading bacteria or other organisms, and hence, by recognising the foreign cells, is able to destroy them. When the body is unable to differentiate "self" from "non-self" cells, it may attack itself, leading to autoimmune diseases.

An autoimmune disease may result in:

• The destruction of body tissue
• Abnormal growth of an organ
• Changes in organ function

An autoimmune disease may affect one or more organ or tissue types. Areas often affected include:

• Blood vessels
• Connective tissues
• Endocrine glands such as the thyroid or pancreas
• Joints
• Muscles
• Red blood cells
• Skin

A person may have more than one autoimmune disorder at the same time.

Common autoimmune diseases

• Addison disease - characterized by inadequate production of the hormones by adrenal glands.
• Celiac disease - a condition where gluten intake results in damage to the intestinal lining.
• Graves disease - a condition that results in hyperthyroidism
• Hashimoto thyroiditis - a condition where the thyroid is being destroyed and thereby hypothyroidism
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease - a chronic inflammation of the digestive tract
• Multiple sclerosis - a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord
• Psoriasis - a condition that affects the skin
• Pernicious anemia - a blood disorder characterized by inadequate production of red blood cells
• Rheumatoid arthritis - chronic inflammatory disease affecting the joints
• Systemic lupus erythematosus - chronic inflammation of the connecting tissues
• Type I Diabetes - condition characterized by insufficient insulin production by the pancreas.
• Vitiligo - a disorder characterised by depigmentation of skin

Source : MedlinePlus