Autoimmune Diseases: An Overview

Foreign invaders like bacteria, virus and fungi attack the human body everyday. In order to protect ourselves from diseases and infections, our bodies have an in-built immune system. But in case you have an autoimmune disease, the immune system attacks itself by mistake. Auto means self. This is why such diseases are called autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases can affect the tissue, which binds body tissues and organs. These diseases can affect various parts of the body like nerves, muscles and digestive system.

Autoimmune diseases occur more often in women than men. The reason behind this rather strange phenomenon is unknown. These disorders are also believed to run in families. During pregnancy, the exchange of cells from mothers to their babies can induce autoimmunity.

There are more than eighty autoimmune diseases known till date. It is important to be aware about some of these diseases so that if need be, you may get the right treatment of the disorder at its initial stage and avoid chances of future complications. But some autoimmune diseases do have similar symptoms, which may even confuse your doctor.

Some common autoimmune diseases and their symptoms are as follows. Hashimoto's thyroditis followed by symptoms like: tiredness, muscle pain, constipation, dry hair and rough skin. Another disease is lupus, which shows symptoms like: swelling and damage to joints, skin, heart, lungs and brain, 'butterfly' rash across the nose and cheeks and sensitivity to sun. Graves disease shows symptoms like: insomnia, bulging eyes, shaky hands, sweating and irritability.

Sudden and serious onset of symptoms may occur if you have an autoimmune disease. The best cure in such case would not be provided by your friends or family but only by your doctor.

The medicines you take depend upon the disease you have and the symptoms that accompany it. Normal painkillers may relieve patients with mild symptoms but patients showing severe symptoms may have to take some kinds of prescriptive medicines to alleviate the pain, swelling and anxiety. Medicines also help to hinder the progress of the disease.

Certain factors need to be kept in mind if you are suffering from an autoimmune disease. Eat healthy to keep your immune system as healthy as possible. Make gradual and gentle exercise a part of your daily routine, but remember not to overdo it. Get enough rest and adequate sleep as rest allows the body tissues to repair and lessens the stress as well, which help to lower the severity of your illness.

Although autoimmune diseases have no permanent cures, one can lower its risk by managing the disease so as to live life to the fullest. Moreover, continued research is being done to find the cause and discover improved methods to deal with them.