Systemic autoimmune disease
Systemic Autoimmune Disease
Systemic autoimmune disease (pronunciation: sis-tem-ik aw-toh-im-yoon dih-zeez) is a type of disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body.
Etymology
The term "systemic" is derived from the Greek word "systema" meaning "organized whole". "Autoimmune" is a combination of "auto" meaning "self" and "immune" referring to the body's immune system. "Disease" comes from the Old French "desaise" meaning "lack of ease".
Definition
Systemic autoimmune diseases are characterized by the body's immune responses being directed against its own tissues, causing prolonged inflammation and subsequent tissue damage. These diseases can affect multiple organs and systems in the body, including the skin, joints, muscles, blood vessels, nervous system, and internal organs.
Types of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases
There are several types of systemic autoimmune diseases, including:
- Rheumatoid arthritis: This disease primarily affects the joints but can also affect other organs.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus: This disease can affect any part of the body, including the skin, joints, and internal organs.
- Sjogren's syndrome: This disease primarily affects the glands that produce tears and saliva.
- Scleroderma: This disease primarily affects the skin, but can also affect the internal organs.
- Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis: These diseases primarily affect the muscles.
Symptoms
The symptoms of systemic autoimmune diseases can vary widely depending on the specific disease and the organs affected. However, common symptoms can include fatigue, fever, joint pain, skin rashes, and weight loss.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of systemic autoimmune diseases typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests, including blood tests and imaging tests.
Treatment
Treatment for systemic autoimmune diseases typically involves managing symptoms and reducing inflammation. This can include medication, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Systemic autoimmune disease
- Wikipedia's article - Systemic autoimmune disease
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