Alternative Names
autoimmune disease; autoimmune disorders
Autoimmune Conditions Symptoms & Characteristics
The immune system protects the body from disease and infection. However, if someone has an autoimmune condition (disease), their immune system attacks itself by mistake. Autoimmune conditions can affect many parts of the body including, connective tissue (the tissue that binds body tissues and organs), nerves, muscles, the endocrine system (system that produces the body's hormones and chemicals) and the digestive system.
There are more than 80 types of autoimmune conditions, many of which have symptoms that overlap. This can make an accurate diagnosis difficult. In many people, the first symptoms are being tired, muscle aches and low grade fever. When symptoms worsen, affected people may have flare-ups, followed by remissions when symptoms all but disappear.
Some of the more common autoimmune conditions include:
Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is characterized by an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
Graves' disease, which is characterized by an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
Lupus, which involves swelling and damage to the joints, skin, organs and blood vessels.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which involves inflammation in joint tissue, especially of the hands.
Multiple sclerosis, which may be classified as either an autoimmune disorder or a nervous system disorder, as it involves an autoimmune attack on a part of nerve cells.
Celiac disease, in which the immune system responds to the protein gluten by damaging the small intestine.
Inflammatory bowel diseases (such as Crohn's disease; Ulcerative Colitis), which causes inflammation of the intestines.
Ankylosing spondylitis, which involves chronic inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the spine.
Type 1 diabetes, which is when the body does not produce insulin.
Some skin diseases like vitiligo and psoriasis are also believed to be autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune Conditions Management & Treatment
Although the symptoms of autoimmune conditions may disappear at times, the conditions themselves typically do not. Medications and other treatments may help to manage symptoms. Physical therapy may help some people.
If someone notices or experiences any of the signs or symptoms common to autoimmune disease, it is important to see a doctor immediately.
Autoimmune Diseases in Pregnancy
Some autoimmune conditions increase the risk of birth defects or complications during pregnancy. It is always important to speak with a doctor regarding the appropriate care and management of autoimmune disease during pregnancy.
How Common Are Autoimmune Conditions? Autoimmune Conditions Statistics
In many autoimmune conditions, women are more often affected than men. African-American, Hispanic, and Native-American women have a higher risk to develop some autoimmune diseases than Caucasian women.
Autoimmune Conditions Causes & Risk Factors
Many environmental factors have been proposed to possibly contribute to autoimmune conditions including infections, environmental and industrial toxins, certain drugs, diet, the state of pregnancy and stress.
Autoimmune Conditions Inheritance & Family History
The causes of autoimmune conditions are largely unknown. Autoimmune conditions most likely have multifactorial inheritance, which means they involve a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors.
It is currently well established that certain autoimmune conditions also run in some families. Researchers believe that there are probably a number of genes that affect the development and symptoms of autoimmune conditions. Different genes may also influence that way we metabolize certain medications that are commonly used to treat autoimmune condition symptoms.
The estimated recurrence risk for autoimmune conditions in a family depends on different factors. These factors can include the number of affected people within the family, the degree of relationship (close, distant) of the affected relatives and the sex of all affected people.
Autoimmune Conditions Tests & Diagnosis
Clinical genetic testing for most autoimmune conditions is unavailable. For more information on the genetics of autoimmune disease, the benefits and limitations of genetic testing, accurate diagnosis, and recurrence risk; use our find a genetic professional directory to locate a trained genetic professional in your area.
Informational genetic testing for susceptibility to some autoimmune conditions is available online (over the internet) as part of a whole genome scan. Whole genome scanning involves analyzing thousands of SNPs at once related to a number of different health conditions.
- At this point, many genetic professionals do not consider this testing clinically useful or medically relevant, but for informational purposes only. Go to the Tests tab to link to the best providers, compare providers and read provider reviews.
Autoimmune Conditions Prevention & Related Issues
In order to maintain good health and reduce the risk of developing many diseases, including autoimmune disease, it is important to:
- Exercise regularly
- Get adequate sleep and rest
- Avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke
- Reduce your stress levels
- Eat a diet rich in fruit and vegetables
Autoimmune Conditions Support & More Information
More and support can be found at:
Autoimmune Conditions Sources