Resources
Autoimmune Disease
Organization & Website Links
News Articles & Media
- Autoimmune Disease in Women; AARDA
- Scientists develop a new class of drug to treat autoimmune diseases without compromising immune system; Arthritis Digest, February 23, 2016
- Autoimmune Diseases Brew in Your Body for Years Before Diagnosis; Tracy Konoske, February 2, 2016
- Who Am I Now?: Living with an Autoimmune Disease; Adapted from a talk at the Myositis Support Group at Hospital for Special Surgery, Patricia B. Vitacco, PsyD, September 12, 2011
Books & Other Resources
- The Autoimmune Solution: Prevent and Reverse the Full Spectrum of Inflammatory Symptoms and Diseases; Amy Myers M.D., January 27, 2015
- Women and Autoimmune Disease: The Mysterious Ways Your Body Betrays Itself; October 13, 2009
- Coping with Prednisone;
Overview
About
An autoimmune disease develops when your immune system, which defends your body against disease, decides your healthy cells are foreign. As a result, your immune system attacks the healthy cells. Depending on the type, an autoimmune disease can affect one or many different types of body tissue. It can also cause abnormal organ growth and changes in organ function. A close genetic relationship exists among autoimmune disease, explaining clustering in individuals and families as well as a common pathway of disease. The cause of autoimmune disease is unknown. There are many theories about what triggers autoimmune diseases, including:
- bacteria or virus
- drugs
- chemical irritants
- environmental irritants
Occurrence
Autoimmune disease affects up to 50 million Americans. Commonly used immunosuppressant treatments can lead to devastating long-term side effects.
Treatment & Prognosis
Autoimmune diseases are chronic conditions with no cure. Treatment involves attempts to control the process of the disease and to decrease the symptoms, especially during flare-ups. To alleviate symptoms, patients may make adjustments that include:
- eat a balanced and healthy diet
- exercise regularly
- get plenty of rest
- take vitamin supplements
- decrease stress
- limit sun exposure
- avoid any known triggers of flare-ups
Medical interventions include:
- hormone replacement therapy, if necessary
- blood transfusions, if blood is affected
- anti-inflammatory medication, if joints are affected
- pain medication
- immunosuppressive medication
- physical therapy
Different types of identified autoimmune diseases
