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Autoimmunity and Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and damages healthy body tissues. Any resulting disease is called an autoimmune disease. Common autoimmune diseases include type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In autoimmune diseases, antibodies produced by the immune system attack cells and tissues in various parts of the body, including joints, organs, and glands. Symptoms vary depending on which body parts are affected but can include fatigue, pain, swelling, and skin rashes. Diagnosis involves testing for autoantibodies and assessing symptoms, while treatment focuses on controlling inflammation and the immune response.
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Autoimmunity and Autoimmune Diseases
- 1. Dr. P. Saranraj Head Departmentof Microbiology Sacred Heart College (Autonomous) Tirupattur – 635 601 Tamil Nadu, India Mobile: +91-9994146964; E.mail: [email protected] AUTOIMMUNITY & AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES
- 2. AUTOIMMUNITY Autoimmunity isthe system of immune responses of an organism against its own healthy cells and tissues. Any disease that results from such an aberrant immune response is termed an "Autoimmune disease”. In the later 19th century it was believed that the immune system was unable to react against the body's own tissues. Paul Ehrlich, at the turn of the 20th century, proposed the concept of Horror Autotoxicus. Ehrlich later adjusted his theory to recognize the possibility of autoimmune tissue attacks, but believed certain innate protection mechanisms would prevent the autoimmune response from becoming pathological.
- 3. An Autoimmunedisease is a condition in which the humans immune system mistakenly attacks human body. The immune system normally guards against germs like bacteria and viruses. When it senses these foreign invaders, it sends out an army of fighter cells to attack them. Normally, the immune system can tell the difference between foreign cells and its own cells. In an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakes part of human body like your joints or skin as foreign. It releases proteins called Autoantibodies that attack healthy cells. Some autoimmune diseases target only one
- 4. An Autoantibodyis an antibody (a type of protein) produced by the immune system that is directed against one or more of the individual's own proteins (self antigen). Some of the common Autoimmune diseases are (1) Type – 1 Diabetes, (2) Rheumatoid Arthritis, (3) Psoriasis/Psoriatic Arthritis, (4) Multiple Sclerosis, (5) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, (6) Inflammatory Bowel Disease, (7) Addison’s Disease, (8) Grave’s Disease, (9) Sjogren’s Syndrome, (10) Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, (11) Myasthenia gravis, (12) Vasculitis, (13) Pernicious anaemia and (14) Celiac disease.
- 5. 1. Type –1 Diabetes The Pancreas produces the hormone Insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar levels. In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels, as well as organs like the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.
- 6. 2. Rheumatoid Arthritis In Rheumatoid Arthritis, the immune system attacks the joints. It is a Chronic Inflammatory Disorder. Rheumatoid Arthritis attack joints and causes redness, warmth, soreness, and stiffness in the joints. Unlike Osteoarthritis (Joint inflammation that results from cartilage degeneration), which affects people as they get older, Rheumatoid Arthritis can start as early as the age of 30.
- 7. 3. Psoriasis/Psoriatic Arthritis Psoriasis causes skin cells to multiply too quickly. The extra cells build up and form Red, scaly patches called Scales or Plaques on the skin. About 30 % of people with Psoriasis also develop swelling, stiffness, and pain in their joints. This form of the disease is called Psoriatic arthritis.
- 8. 4. Multiple Sclerosis Multiple sclerosis damages the myelin sheath - the protective coating that surrounds nerve cells. Damage to the myelin sheath affects the transmission of messages between your brain and body. Damage to the myelin sheath can lead to symptoms like Numbness, Weakness, Balance issues, and Trouble walking. About 50 per cent of people with Multiple sclerosis need help walking within 15 years after getting the disease.
- 9. 5. Systemic LupusErythematosus (Lupus) Doctors in the 1800s first described Lupus as a skin disease because of the rash it produces, it actually affects many organs, including the joints, kidneys, brain, and heart. Joint pain, fatigue, and rashes are among the most common symptoms.
- 10. 6. Inflammatory BowelDisease Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term used to describe conditions that cause inflammation in the lining of the intestines. Each type of IBD affects a different part of the Gastrointestinal tract. 1) Crohn’s disease can inflame any part of the Gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. 2) Ulcerative colitis affects only the lining of the Large intestine (Colon) and Rectum.
- 11. 7. Addison’s Disease Addison’s disease affects the Adrenal glands, which produce the hormones Cortisol and Aldosterone. Reduced amount of hormones can affect the way the body uses and stores carbohydrates and sugar. Symptoms include weakness, fatigue, weight loss, and low blood sugar.
- 12. 8. Grave’s Disease Graves’ disease attacks the thyroid gland in the neck, causing it to produce too much of its hormones. Thyroid hormones control the body’s energy usage, or metabolism. Having too much of these hormones revs up your body’s activities, causing symptoms like nervousness, a fast heartbeat, heat intolerance, and weight loss. One common symptom of this disease is bulging eyes, called Exophthalmos. It affects up to 50 percent of people with Graves’ disease.
- 13. 9. Sjogren’s Syndrome Sjogren’s syndrome is the condition attacks the joints, as well as glands that provide lubrication to the eyes and mouth. The hallmark symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome are joint pain, dry eyes, and dry mouth.
- 14. 10. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis In Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, thyroid hormone production slows. Symptoms include weight gain, sensitivity to cold, fatigue, hair loss, and swelling of the thyroid (Goiter).
- 15. 11. Myasthenia Gravis Myasthenia Gravis affects nerves that help the brain control the muscles. When these nerves are impaired, signals can’t direct the muscles to move. The most common symptom is muscle weakness that gets worse with activity and improves with rest. Often muscles that control swallowing and facial movements are involved.
- 16. 12. Vasculitis Vasculitishappens when the immune system attacks blood vessels. The inflammation that results narrows the arteries and veins, allowing less blood to flow through them.
- 17. 13. Pernicious Anemia Pernicious anemia condition affects a Protein called “Intrinsic factor” that helps the intestines absorb Vitamin B12 from food. Without the Vitamin B12, the body can’t make enough red blood cells. Pernicious anemia is more common in older adults. It affects 0.1 percent of people in general, but nearly 2 percent of people over age 60.
- 18. 14. Celiac Disease People with Celiac disease can’t eat foods containing Gluten - a protein found in Wheat, rye, and other grain products. When gluten is in the intestine, the immune system attacks it and causes Inflammation. A larger number of people have Gluten sensitivity shows similar symptoms like Diarrhea and Abdominal pain.
- 19. Early symptoms ofautoimmune diseases Fatigue Ache muscles Swelling and Redness Low grade fever Trouble concentrating Hair loss Number of tillings in the hands and feet. Skin rashes Type I – Diabetes causes extreme thirst, weight loss, and fatigue. IBD causes belly pain, bloating, and diarrhea.
- 20. Diagnosis of Autoimmunediseases No single test can diagnose most Autoimmune diseases. A combination of tests and an assessment of symptoms to diagnose Autoimmune diseases. The “Antinuclear Antibody Test” is often the first test that doctors use when symptoms suggest an Autoimmune disease. A positive test means you likely have one of these diseases, but it won’t confirm exactly which one you have.
- 21. Treatment for Autoimmunediseases Treatments can’t cure Autoimmune diseases, but they can control the overactive immune response and bring down inflammation. Drugs used to treat these conditions include: 1) Non - steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and Naproxen (Naprosyn) 2) Immune-suppressing drugs Treatments are also available to relieve symptoms like Pain, Swelling, Fatigue, and Skin rashes. Eating a well-balanced diet and getting regular exercise can also help you feel better.