The immune system is a collection of special cells and chemicals that fight infection-causing agents such as bacteria and viruses. An autoimmune disorder occurs when a person's immune system mistakenly attacks their own body tissues.
Autoimmune disorders are broadly grouped into two categories- 'organ-specific' means one organ is affected, while in 'non-organ-specific' disorders, multiple organs or body systems may be affected.
There are around 80 different autoimmune disorders ranging in severity from mild to disabling, depending on which system of the body is under attack and to what degree. For unknown reasons, women are more susceptible than men, particularly during their childbearing years. It is thought that sex hormones may be at least partly responsible. There is generally no cure, but the symptoms of autoimmune disorders can be managed.
Types of Autoimmune Disease-
The most common autoimmune diseases are:
Diabetes:
The pancreas releases the insulin hormone, which aids in the regulation of blood sugar levels. In this disease, the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA):
In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the joints. This attack causes stiffness in the joints, redness, soreness, and warmth.
Psoriasis or Psoriatic Arthritis:
Skin cells usually grow and then shed when they are no longer required. In psoriasis, skin cells multiply too quickly. This causes the extra cells to build up and form scaly, red patches known as scales or plaques on the skin.
Multiple Sclerosis:
This disease damages the myelin sheath, which is the protective coating that borders the nerve cells. Harm to the myelin sheath disturbs the transmission of messages between the brain and body.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus):
Even though lupus was first described as a skin disease because of the rash it produces, it hampers many organs, including the heart, brain, joints, and kidneys. Read More...
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