AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

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 AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE, SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, DIAGONIS AND POSSIBLE TREATMENTS- EZENWA LILIAN OLUCHI




AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE


Normally, the immune system is functioned to protect the body against foreign bodies like bacteria and viruses. The immune system senses foreign bodies that are not part of the body, so it fights and destroys them completely.

Here, the immune system attacks healthy cells and organs. This condition is called Autoimmune disease.

 

Causes of Autoimmune Disease

The cause of Autoimmune disease has remained unknown. Doctors and researchers in a 2014 study, prove the prevalence of Autoimmune diseases are more in women than in men. Some Autoimmune diseases are common in certain ethnic groups, for instance, Lupus affects more African Americans and Hispanic people than white people.


The case of Autoimmune disease is on the high side, and researchers suspect there are  factors that may trigger it such as;

  • Exposure to chemicals

  • Eating highly fatted food and sugar

  • Genetics



Types of Autoimmune diseases


 According to researchers, there are up to 80 different types of Autoimmune disease, but in this article, we will look into 8 most common types of Autoimmune disease.


                                             Picture of type 1 diabetes.


  1. Type 1 diabetes: Insulin is a hormone that helps export sugar or glucose into the body’s tissue, where the immune system mistakenly fights and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.



                                          Picture of Rheumatriod Artherties


  1. Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is an Autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks its own tissue causing it to affect the joint  linings. Rheumatoid Arthritis affects mainly joints at once, commonly the joints in the hands, wrist and knees. As the cause remains unknown, there are factors that can triggers a person to stand at risk of this diseases which may include; age, sex, genetics and diet.



Picture of Vitiligo

  1. Vitiligo: Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease which causes loss of skin colour in patches. It occurs when cells that produce melanin die or start malfunctioning. It can start at any age but becomes more visible before the age of 30. Vitiligo can affect almost all skin surface (universal vitiligo), many parts of the body (generalised vitiligo), only one side or part of the body (segmental vitiligo), one or only a few areas of the body ( facial vitiligo), the face and hands  (acrofacial vitiligo).


                                      Picture of Grave's disease


  1. Grave’s disease: Normally, the body is supposed to produce thyroid hormones which helps in controlling the metabolism in the body. Grave’s disease causes overproduction of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). If you eat too much without gaining weight, always get hungry and lack concentration, these symptoms probably put you at an edge of having overactive thyroid.


Autoimmune Vasculitis: This is an Autoimmune disorder that affects the red blood vessels. The immune system attacks blood vessels causing inflammation that results in less flow of blood through the veins and arteries.

  1. Myasthenia Gravis: This affects the nerve impulse that helps control the muscles from nerves when communication is impared, signals can’t affect muscles to contract.


  1. Inflammatory bowel disease: This is an Autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the lining of the intestinal walls.


  1. Pernicious Anaemia: This disorder results in a lack of a protein produced by the cells that line the stomach, a vital intrinsic component for the small intestine to absorb vitamin B12 from diet.



TEST THAT DIAGNOSE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE


Antinuclear antibody testing (ANA) is frequently used by doctors when a patient's symptoms point to an autoimmune condition. A positive test indicates a possibility that you have one of these illnesses, but it cannot identify which one you have or whether you have it for sure. 

Various autoimmune illnesses create specific autoantibodies, which are the focus of other tests. Additionally, your doctor may perform non-specific tests to look for the inflammation that these illnesses cause in the body. An autoimmune disease may be detected by a positive ANA blood test. Your doctor can confirm the diagnosis with other tests, along with your symptoms.


TREATMENTS OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE


There is no permanent cure for Autoimmune disease, when Autoimmune disease is diagnosed, doctors administer immunosuppressive medications which tend to manage the condition. Some immunosuppressive medications includes; Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)- Ibuprofene.


Key notes

  • The main cause of Autoimmune disease is generally unknown.

  • There are many triggers of Autoimmune disease such as environmental factors, genetics, diets e.t.c

  • An Autoimmune may be detected when ANA test indicates positive

  • Autoimmune disease can be managed with immunosuppressive medications.

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