Autoimmune disease
| Autoimmune disease | |
|---|---|
| Term | Autoimmune disease |
| Short definition | a disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks itself |
| Type | Medical term |
| Specialty | General |
| Language | English |
| Source | |
| Comments | |
Autoimmune Disease (pronunciation: /ˌɔːtoʊɪˈmjuːn dɪˈziːz/) is a condition in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, tissues, and organs.
Etymology
The term "autoimmune" is derived from the Greek words "auto" meaning self and "immune" referring to the body's immune system. The term "disease" comes from the Old French "desaise" meaning lack of ease.
Definition
An Autoimmune Disease is a pathological condition resulting from the immune system's response to normally occurring cells and tissues as if they were foreign. This results in inflammation and damage, and can affect any part of the body.
Types of Autoimmune Diseases
There are more than 80 types of Autoimmune Diseases. Some of the most common ones include:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Psoriasis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Symptoms
Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases can vary widely, depending on the specific disease and the body systems that are affected. Common symptoms include fatigue, fever, and general malaise. Many Autoimmune Diseases also feature specific symptoms related to the particular body system, organ, or tissue that the disease is attacking.
Causes
The exact cause of Autoimmune Diseases is unknown. However, it is believed that a combination of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors may trigger the immune system to attack the body's own cells.
Treatment
Treatment for Autoimmune Diseases generally focuses on reducing immune system activity. This can be achieved through the use of medications such as immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, and biologics. In some cases, physical therapy or surgery may be necessary.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Autoimmune disease
- Wikipedia's article - Autoimmune disease
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