What are autoimmune disorders?

Autoimmune Disorders are diseases that occur when the immune system of the body does not respond well. Sometimes the immune system does not recognize its own body tissue and produces anti bodies to attack the healthy body cells. This causes inflammation and leads to autoimmune disorders.

Though the causes are unknown it is said to be an inherited predisposition in most of the cases. In a few types of autoimmune disease like rheumatic fever virus or infection of the bacteria triggers immune response and the antibodies attack normal cells. This is because a part of their structure resembles that of the infecting microorganism. This disorder falls into two type of categories. One category is where a single organ is damaged and the second is where multiple organs are damaged. There are also cases where the anti bodies do not affect an organ but it can react with the substance.

There are almost 80 types of autoimmune diseases. The exact problem depends on the organ it has affected. The first autoimmune diseases symptoms are fatigue, dizziness, muscle pain, and fever. These symptoms may sometimes be severe or sometimes be of a low grade. If the symptoms are recognized as autoimmune disorder, it would enable for the person to seek medical advice. But, as these symptoms are common ones it is difficult for the doctor to also make a diagnosis.

Some of the autoimmune disorder symptoms are Underactive Thyroid, Overactive Thyroid, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, and Multiple Sclerosis.

If the reason for autoimmune disease is underactive thyroid or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis then the symptoms would be depression, sensitivity to cold, muscle cramps, dry hair, tough skin, and constipation. But, it may happen that none of these symptoms would show up also.

The symptoms for Grave’s Disease or Overactive Thyroid are weight loss, sweating, muscle weakness, sensitive to heat, insomnia, restlessness, shivering etc. The hair also becomes brittle in some cases. Lupus symptoms can be identified by swelling in the joints, rashes on the skin and sensitivity to sun.

The symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis are tremors, paralysis, and numbness of hands and legs. The patient would also experience coordination while speaking and walking. If the condition is Rheumatoid Arthritis then the symptoms would be weight loss, muscle pain, deformed joints, weakness, fatigue and unable to move at all in extreme cases.

Autoimmune disease treatment may vary from person to person. Sometimes it may also happen that a team of doctors are required to treat the person rather than a single doctor. A Team of doctors who treat autoimmune diseases include endocrinologist, neurologist, dermatologist, nephrologists, rheumatologist, and endocrinologist. The main goal of the treatment is reduce the symptoms and also increase the body’s ability to fight diseases. Sometimes the patient may require supplements to replace the vitamins and hormones that are lost. Immunosuppressive medicines are often prescribed for the patient suffering from autoimmune disease.

People can make some changes in their diet like eating more fish and spirulina which helps in fighting inflammation and allergies. Addition of Vitamin C, B and E also helps in immune system functioning.