List of autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune Diseases

An autoimmune disease is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells, tissues, and organs. This can result in a wide range of symptoms and can affect various parts of the body. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune diseases.

Pronunciation

au·to·im·mune dis·ease

Etymology

The term "autoimmune" comes 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.

Related Terms

• Immunology
• Inflammation
• Chronic disease
• Genetic predisposition

List of Autoimmune Diseases

Below is a list of some common autoimmune diseases:

• Rheumatoid arthritis - This is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.

• Type 1 diabetes - This is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone needed to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy.

• Psoriasis - This is a common skin condition that speeds up the life cycle of skin cells. It causes cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin.

• Multiple sclerosis - This is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).

• Systemic lupus erythematosus - This is an inflammatory disease that can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain.

• Inflammatory bowel disease - This term includes diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

• Addison's disease - This is a disorder in which the adrenal glands don't produce enough hormones.

• Graves' disease - This is an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism).

• Sjögren's syndrome - This is a disorder of the immune system, often defined by its two most common symptoms — dry eyes and a dry mouth.

• Hashimoto's thyroiditis - This is an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid gland is gradually destroyed.

• Myasthenia gravis - This is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles, which are responsible for breathing and moving parts of the body, including the arms and legs.

• Vasculitis - This is an inflammation of the blood vessels that can affect any organ in the body.

• Pernicious anemia - This is a decrease in red blood cells when the body can't absorb enough vitamin B12.

• Celiac disease - This is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on List of autoimmune diseases
• Wikipedia's article - List of autoimmune diseases

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