Autoimmune Diseases
The human immune system is made up of a collection of special cells, tissues, proteins and organs that collectively work together to protect the body against foreign and/or harmful substances, including bacteria, viruses, toxins, cancer cells, and blood or tissue from another person or species. A healthy immune response involves the identification and eradication of these harmful substances, utilizing specific antibodies produced to combat the foreign invader, along with B and T cells that work together to “tag” and destroy these substances.
In a person with an autoimmune disorder, however, her/his immune system is unable to distinguish between the body’s own healthy cells/tissue and harmful, foreign substances. The body’s immune system, then, attacks its own tissue as if it were an “other” body. There are over 80 types of autoimmune diseases, none of which are currently curable. Though the exact cause of such diseases is not known, it is commonly believed to be a combination of a person’s genetic predisposition for such disorders, combined with an environmental “trigger,” such as a microorganism or drug. The segment of the population most affected by autoimmune diseases are women in the childbearing years. Though there is no cure for these disorders of the immune system, there are medicines and CAM therapies proven to reduce the frequency and severity of the symptoms.
A few of the most common autoimmune diseases and their symptoms are listed below. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, and/or if these disorders run in your family, please see your doctor. You can also contact us for a consultation.
- Lupus: a chronic disease often marked by pain and inflammation in the muscles and joints. The kidneys, heart, lungs, skin and brain may also be affected by the immune response. Other symptoms include a “butterfly” rash across the nose and cheeks, sensitivity to the sun and/or rashes appearing on other body parts.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: a disease in which the immune response attacks joint tissue, often in the knee, hand or foot. It often begins as inflammation in the tissue that lines the joint, then will spread to the entire joint. Other symptoms include: deformed joints, muscle pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss and weakness (sometimes to the point that one must be bed-ridden).
- Multiple Sclerosis: a disease in which the immune response destroys the protective fatty layer (myelin sheath) that surrounds the neurons of the brain and spinal cord. Once the myelin is destroyed, causing multiple scars (or scleroses) on the myelin sheaths, the signals carried by the neurons are no longer effectively transmitted. Symptoms vary according to the area of the brain or spinal cord affected. Some of the more common symptoms include: tremors, paralysis, difficulty with coordination, walking and/or speaking, and numbness or tingling in the arms and legs.
- Scleroderma: a chronic disease caused by an autoimmune response to the body’s connective tissue, causing the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and/or organs. The primary symptom of this disease is a thickening or hardening of the affected area. Since scleroderma can occur throughout the body, affecting small or large areas of tissue, various side effects can result, including high blood pressure, acid reflux or heartburn, constipation, coloration of fingers or toes, and more.
Because many autoimmune diseases have similar symptoms, and because many of these symptoms can be traced to sources other than autoimmune responses, diagnosing an autoimmune disease can be a long and stressful process. But it is important to remain persistent, in order to get relief from the symptoms and to regain your quality of life.