General Information About Autoimmune Diseases
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It occurs when our immune (defense) system, whose job is to protect us from incoming microbes and viruses, suffers a programming glitch and attacks our own healthy tissues inside as if they were the enemy, destroying them.
Every organ in the body can be affected. If it attacks the joints, it's Rheumatoid Arthritis; if the thyroid gland, Hashimoto's; if the nerve sheaths, MS (Multiple Sclerosis); if the intestines, Crohn's or Celiac disease emerges.
The exact cause is unknown. However, in a person with a genetic predisposition (family history), a severe viral infection (such as Epstein-Barr), intense chronic stress, unhealthy diet, or toxin exposure can confuse the immune system and flip the switch.
Although it varies depending on the affected organ; persistent fatigue, unexplained low-grade fever, joint swelling/stiffness, skin rashes, and hair loss are common warning signs observed in most autoimmune diseases.
It is diagnosed by an Internal Medicine or Rheumatology specialist by measuring the levels of auto-antibodies produced by the immune system (ANA, Anti-TPO, Rheumatoid Factor, etc.) and inflammation markers (CRP, ESR) in the blood.
Autoimmune diseases are lifelong and do not completely disappear (there is no cure). The goal of treatment is to calm the immune system using cortisone, immune suppressants (immunosuppressants), and modern smart drugs (biologic agents) to save organs from destruction and put the disease to sleep (remission).
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
