Visual image simulating autoimmune disease

The immune system in the human body has a protective function, against the invasion of bacteria and diseases. However, in some people the immune system is dysfunctional, so it turns to attack the body's own cells, this is the formation of autoimmune disease.

Autoimmune disease is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body. The immune system normally protects against germs such as bacteria and viruses. When it senses foreign invaders, it fights off using cells to attack. Normally, the immune system can tell the difference between foreign cells and the body's own cells.
With autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakes a body part such as joints or skin as an external factor. It releases proteins (antibodies) that attack healthy cells. Some autoimmune diseases affect only one organ of the body. For example, type 1 diabetes damages the pancreas. Other diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), affect the entire body.

Formation of autoimmune disease of unknown cause with the immune system. Some people are more likely to have an autoimmune disease than others. According to a 2014 study, women develop autoimmune diseases about 2:1 to men (6.4% of women versus 2.7% of men). Usually, the disease begins in the year a woman gives birth (ages 15 to 44).
Some autoimmune diseases are more common by ethnic group. For example, lupus affects more African-Americans and Hispanics than whites.
Some autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and lupus can run in families. Not every family member will necessarily get the same disease, but they are genetically susceptible to autoimmune conditions.
The incidence of autoimmune diseases is on the rise leading researchers to suspect that environmental factors such as infections and chemical exposure may also be involved.
Western diet is another suspected risk factor for autoimmune disease. Eating high-fat, high-sugar and processed foods is thought to be linked to inflammation, which can trigger an immune response.

Initial symptoms of autoimmune diseases are very similar, such as:
Fatigue Muscle pain Swelling and redness Mild fever Difficulty concentrating Numbness and tingling in hands and feet Hair loss Dermatitis Isolated disease may also present unique symptoms. For example, type 1 diabetes causes thirst, weight loss, and fatigue. Or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea.

4.1. Type 1 diabetes
The pancreas produces the hormone insulin that helps regulate blood sugar levels. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. That results in high blood sugar that can cause damage in blood vessels, as well as organs like the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.
4.2. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is when the immune system attacks the joints. This condition causes redness, warmth, pain, and stiffness. Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis usually affects people as they age, and can start as early as your 30s or earlier.
4.3. Psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis
Skin cells normally grow and then slough off when they are no longer needed. Psoriasis is a disease that causes skin cells to multiply too quickly, the extra cells to accumulate and form red, inflamed patches (often with silvery-white scales on the skin). About 30% of people with psoriasis also develop swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints. This type of disease is called psoriatic arthritis.
4.4. Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) destroys the myelin sheath, the protective layer that surrounds nerve cells, in the central nervous system. Damage to the myelin sheath slows the rate at which signals are transmitted between the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. This destruction can lead to symptoms such as numbness, weakness, balance problems, and difficulty walking.
4.5. Lupus erythematosus
Lupus is a skin disease caused by a rash. People with lupus develop autoimmune antibodies that can attach to tissues throughout the body. The joints, lungs, blood cells, nerves, and kidneys are commonly affected in lupus.

The immune system attacks the intestinal lining, causing episodes of diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgent bowel movements, abdominal pain, fever, and weight loss. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease.
4.7. Addison's Disease
Addison's disease affects the adrenal glands, which produce the hormones cortisol and aldosterone as well as androgens. Having too little cortisol can affect how the body uses and stores carbohydrates and sugar (glucose). Lack of aldosterone will lead to sodium loss and excess potassium in the blood. Symptoms of the disease include weakness, fatigue, weight loss, and low blood sugar.
4.8. Graves disease
Graves disease attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to produce too much hormone. Thyroid hormone controls the body's use of energy (metabolism). Having too much of these hormones increases the body's activity, causing symptoms such as palpitations, tachycardia, heat intolerance, and weight loss. The potential symptom of this disease is bulging eyes.
4.9. Sjögren's syndrome
This syndrome is an attack on the glands that provide lubrication to the eyes and mouth. Symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome are dry eyes and dry mouth, but it can also affect joints or skin.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is caused by the slow production of thyroid hormone to the point of deficiency. Symptoms include weight gain, sensitivity to colds, fatigue, hair loss, and swelling of the thyroid gland (goiter).
4.11. Myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis is a disease that affects nerve impulses that help the brain control muscles. When the transmission of signals from nerves to muscles is impaired, the signals that can direct the muscles to contract.
4.12. Autoimmune vasculitis
Autoimmune vasculitis occurs when the immune system attacks the blood vessels. Inflammation causes narrowing of the arteries and veins, restricting blood flow.
4.13. Anemia
An anemia condition that causes a deficiency in proteins and is produced by the cells lining the stomach. This is also an intrinsic factor necessary for the small intestine to absorb vitamin B12 from food. Without enough of this vitamin, the body will become anemic and the body's ability to synthesize DNA will also be altered. Anemia is more common in older people.
4.14. Hair Loss
When your body attacks the follicles where hair grows, they can shrink and stop working. That can lead to bare patches or complete loss of body hair.
4.15. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)
This syndrome is caused by the immune system attacking the nerve network that controls the muscles in the legs, sometimes arms, and upper body. The arms and legs may be weak and may not even feel hot or painful.
Autoimmune disease currently has no specific treatment, so the prevention of autoimmune diseases is very necessary. To prevent this disease you should maintain a suitable diet, do not smoke, control weight and blood sugar. Periodic health check-up when symptoms of autoimmune disease appear.
Customers can get medical examination and treatment at Vinmec International General Hospital by registering HERE