How does an autoimmune disease manifest itself? Autoimmune diseases - list of diseases

Everyone knows that immunity is our main protector and assistant in the fight against pathogenic microorganisms. But in the human body, not everything is always perfect. Sometimes our "program" fails and starts the mechanism of self-destruction - then autoimmune diseases develop. A list of such diseases and their symptoms can be found below.

Who is threatened by immune aggression?

Most diseases are due to external influence. But there are ailments that the body provokes itself, and they are called “autoimmune diseases”. What is it and why does this happen? Their reason is that the immune system suddenly becomes too sensitive and begins to perceive his cells as alien and dangerous. Special cells - T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes, which are weapons against infections, begin to fight with their systems and organs. To put it simply, the body destroys itself.

Such diseases are quite common and in people of all ages. They affect at least 5% of the total population of our planet. Today, the number of such diseases includes 80 ailments, and, according to doctors, this list will be replenished.

There is evidence that diseases of this type are more often detected in women. It is not known for what reason, but in men, T-lymphocytes attack the cells of their own body much less often than in the fair sex.

Since the mechanism of the origin of such processes is unclear, there are no ways that would allow them to be avoided. Therefore, it is important to recognize the symptoms in a timely manner in order to begin treatment. Listed autoimmune diseases enough serious illness, threatening not only health, but also life, so we advise you to familiarize yourself with their manifestations very carefully. As a result of immune aggression, any certain body or several at once - then they talk about a systemic disease.

Read also:

Myasthenia gravis: symptoms, causes

Here is a list of the most common diseases of this type with symptoms and the name of the organ that suffers as a result of their development.

Blood:

hemolytic anemia. Weakness, reduced efficiency, pain in the spleen and liver, yellowness of the sclera and skin;
autoimmune neutropenia. Inflammation in the mouth, nose, paranasal sinuses nose, temperature.

Leather:

psoriasis. Dry, red spots that slightly protrude from the surface of the skin and merge with one another;
alopecia. The occurrence of foci of baldness;
vasculitis. Red rashes, fatigue, constantly fever, pallor, possibly - constant pain in the abdomen, discharge of pus or blood from the nose;
systemic lupus. Skin lesions, which are aggravated by exposure to ultraviolet light, fatigue, pain and stiffness in the joints, difficulty breathing, butterfly erythema on the face, impaired blood flow in the fingers, temperature, dry eyes, headache, memory impairment.

Autoimmune diseases of the thyroid gland, caused by an increased or decreased amount of hormones:

autoimmune thyroiditis. Often there are no symptoms. Signs of hypothyroidism - depression, apathy, swelling of the tongue, joint pain, hair loss, slow speech. If thyrotoxicosis develops, then mood swings, tachycardia, fragility bone tissue, menstrual irregularities;
Graves' disease. exophthalmos, hand trembling, palpitations, muscular hypotension, difficulty falling asleep;
Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Fatigue, depressed mood, susceptibility to cold, constipation, throbbing pain in the head, memory disorder, infertility.

Liver:

primary cirrhosis (biliary). Jaundice, pruritus, loss of strength, pain from the liver;
autoimmune hepatitis. An increase in the size of the liver, rashes and yellowness of the skin, nausea, aversion to food, vomiting;
sclerosing cholangitis. Fever, progressive malaise, seizures severe pain V right half abdomen, sudden weight loss, itching of the skin, jaundice, hyperpigmentation.

Joints:

rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation and stiffness of the joints, deterioration in general well-being;
spondyloarthropathies. Stiffness and soreness of the joints.

Nervous system:

multiple sclerosis. speech problems, muscle weakness, unstable mood, tingling and numbness, double vision, impaired memory, attention, impaired urination, decreased vision;
Guien-Bare syndrome. Increasing weakness in the body, respiratory failure;
myasthenia gravis. shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, severe fatigue late in the day, difficult to open eyes in the morning, nasal voice.

Female reproductive organs:

endometriosis. Pelvic pain and infertility.

Pancreas:

diabetes mellitus type 1. Weight loss, frequent urination, nausea with vomiting, thirst.

After reviewing this list, it becomes apparent that the symptoms of many autoimmune diseases overlap. If they appear, it is recommended to find good doctor and undergo a full examination.

How are these problems diagnosed and treated?

It is difficult to recognize such diseases even for a specialist. To make a diagnosis, they do a physical examination, take a history, order a blood test for antibodies, and take tissue samples (biopsy). The patient may also receive a referral for X-ray, CT, MRI.

It will not work to cure an autoimmune disease on its own, the patient needs qualified help. Treatment prescribes narrow specialist, and each ailment requires its own strategy. And to support the patient, they use anti-inflammatory drugs (relieve pain and inflammation), corticosteroids and immunosuppressants (suppress excessive activity of the immune system), analgesics (relieve severe pain). Also used replacement therapy(to compensate for the lack of hormones), physiotherapy. Often you have to resort to surgical treatment or autoimmune therapy(plasmapheresis).

Before proceeding to the story of the origin of autoimmune diseases, let's understand what immunity is. Probably everyone knows that doctors call this word our ability to defend ourselves against diseases. But how does this protection work?

IN bone marrow a person produces special cells - lymphocytes. Immediately after entering the bloodstream, they are considered immature. And the maturation of lymphocytes occurs in two places - the thymus and lymph nodes. thymus ( thymus) is located at the top chest, just behind the sternum superior mediastinum), and there are lymph nodes in several parts of our body at once: in the neck, in armpits, in the groin.

Those lymphocytes that have undergone maturation in the thymus receive the appropriate name - T-lymphocytes. And those that have matured in the lymph nodes are called B-lymphocytes, from the Latin word "bursa" (bag). Both types of cells are needed to create antibodies - weapons against infections and foreign tissues. An antibody reacts strictly to its corresponding antigen. That is why, having had measles, the child will not receive immunity to mumps, and vice versa.

The point of vaccination is precisely to “acquaint” ours with the disease by introducing a tiny dose of the pathogen, so that later, with a massive attack, the flow of antibodies destroys the antigens. But why then, having had a cold from year to year, we do not acquire strong immunity to it, you ask. Because the infection is constantly mutating. And this is not the only danger to our health - sometimes the lymphocytes themselves begin to behave like an infection and attack their own body. Why this is happening, and whether it can be dealt with, will be discussed today.

What are autoimmune diseases?

As the name suggests, autoimmune diseases are diseases caused by our own immune system. For some reason, white blood cells begin to consider a certain type of cell in our body as foreign and dangerous. That is why autoimmune diseases are complex or systemic. Amazed immediately whole organ or group of organs. Human body launches, figuratively speaking, a program of self-destruction. Why is this happening, and is it possible to protect yourself from this disaster?

Among lymphocytes, there is a special "caste" of orderly cells: they are tuned to the protein of the body's own tissues, and if any part of our cells dangerously changes, gets sick or dies, the orderlies will have to destroy this unnecessary garbage. At first glance, very useful feature, especially considering that special lymphocytes are under the strict control of the body. But alas, the situation sometimes develops, as if according to the scenario of an action-packed action movie: everything that can get out of control, gets out of it and takes up arms.

The causes of uncontrolled reproduction and aggression of paramedical lymphocytes can be divided into two types: internal and external.

Internal causes:

Gene mutations of type I, when lymphocytes cease to identify a certain type of cells of the body. Having inherited such genetic baggage from their ancestors, a person with highly likely will get the same autoimmune disease that his closest relatives had. And since the mutation concerns the cells of a particular organ or organ system, it will be, for example, toxic or thyroiditis;

Type II gene mutations, when nurse lymphocytes multiply uncontrollably and cause a systemic autoimmune disease, such as lupus or. Such ailments are almost always hereditary.

External reasons:

Very heavy, lingering infectious diseases, after which immune cells begin to behave inappropriately;

pernicious physical impact from the environment, for example, radiation or solar radiation;

The "trick" of disease-causing cells that pretend to be very similar to our own, only diseased cells. Lymphocytes-orderlies cannot figure out who is who, and take up arms against both.

Since autoimmune diseases are so diverse, it is extremely difficult to identify common symptoms for them. But all diseases of this type develop gradually and pursue a person all his life. Very often, doctors are at a loss and cannot make a diagnosis, because the symptoms seem to be erased, or they turn out to be characteristic of many other, much more well-known and widespread diseases. But the success of treatment or even saving the patient's life depends on the timely diagnosis: autoimmune diseases can be very dangerous.

Consider the symptoms of some of them:

Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints, especially small ones - on the hands. It manifests itself not only in pain, but also in swelling, numbness, a feeling of pressure in the chest and general muscle weakness;

Multiple sclerosis- it's a disease nerve cells, as a result of which a person begins to experience strange tactile sensations, lose sensitivity, and see worse. Sclerosis is accompanied muscle spasms and numbness, as well as memory impairment;

Type 1 diabetes makes a person dependent on insulin for life. And its first symptoms are frequent urination, constant thirst and wolfish appetite;

Vasculitis - the most dangerous autoimmune disease that affects the circulatory system. Vessels become fragile, organs and tissues seem to collapse and bleed from the inside. The prognosis, alas, is unfavorable, and the symptoms are pronounced, so diagnosis rarely causes difficulties;

lupus erythematosus called systemic, because it harms almost all organs. The patient experiences pain in the heart, cannot breathe normally, and is constantly tired. Red rounded spots appear on the skin raised spots irregular shape that itch and scab over;

Pemphigus is a terrible autoimmune disease, the symptoms of which are huge blisters on the surface of the skin filled with lymph;

Hashimoto's thyroiditis- autoimmune disease thyroid gland. Its symptoms: drowsiness, coarsening of the skin, strong increase weight, fear of cold;

Hemolytic anemia is an autoimmune disease in which white blood cells turn against red ones. The lack of red blood cells leads to fatigue, lethargy, drowsiness, ;

Graves' disease is the opposite of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. With her thyroid begins to produce too much of the hormone thyroxine, so the symptoms are opposite: weight loss, heat intolerance, increased nervous excitability;

myasthenia gravis strikes muscle tissue. As a result, a person is constantly tormented by weakness. Tired especially quickly eye muscles. The symptoms of myasthenia gravis can be treated with special medications that increase muscle tone;

Scleroderma is a disease of connective tissues, and since such tissues are found in our body almost everywhere, the disease is called systemic, like lupus. The symptoms are very varied: occur degenerative changes joints, skin, blood vessels and internal organs.

It is important to know! If any person becomes worse on vitamins, macro and microelements, amino acids, as well as when using adaptogens (, and others) - this is the first sign of autoimmune processes in the body!

A long and sad list of autoimmune diseases would hardly fit in our article. We will name the most common and well-known of them. According to the type of damage, autoimmune diseases are divided into:

Systemic;

Organ-specific;

Mixed.

Systemic autoimmune diseases include:

polymyositis;

Sjögren's syndrome;

Antiphospholipid Syndrome.

Organ-specific, that is, affecting a specific organ or system of the body, autoimmune diseases include:

Nervous autoimmune diseases - multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Bare syndrome;

Diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract - biliary, Crohn's disease, cholangitis, autoimmune and celiac disease;

Diseases circulatory system-, hemolytic, thrombocytopenic purpura;

Autoimmune kidney diseases - some types of vasculitis, Goodpasture's syndrome, glomerolupatia and glomerol nephritis (a whole group of diseases);

Pulmonary diseases- again, vasculitis with lung damage, as well as fibrosing alveolitis;

Diagnosis of autoimmune diseases

Diagnosis can be made with a special blood test. Doctors know which types of antibodies are indicative of a particular autoimmune disease. But the problem is that sometimes a person suffers and gets sick long years before the GP even thinks of sending the patient to a lab to be tested for autoimmune diseases. If you have appeared strange symptoms, be sure to consult several specialists with a high reputation at once. Do not rely on the opinion of one doctor, especially if he doubts the diagnosis and choice of treatment methods.

Autoimmune diseases belong to pathologies that can occur due to a disorder of the immune system. Therefore, the body begins to perceive its own tissues as foreign.

This becomes the reason that the immune system begins to fight with such tissues and, as a result, can be affected. important organs in body. Such diseases can also be called systemic.

Since immunity cells are located throughout the body, they should only respond to third-party pathogens, remaining inactive to the cells of their “owner”. Therefore, the main task of immunity is to correctly distinguish between such cells.

Sometimes the system may fail, and therefore it will perceive "its" cells as "strangers". Their system will try to overcome. This can happen to anyone, so similar ailments millions of people around the world suffer.

In other words, an autoimmune disease is such an ailment when the immune system begins to act very actively, as a result, it cannot perceive its cells in the body and begins to fight them. As a result, such cells are damaged as foreign.

Signs of autoimmune diseases can be the same as when foreign cells are exposed to the body, but the only difference is that the body will then produce bodies that can destroy their own cells, and not third-party ones. As a result, not only a single tissue can suffer, but also the whole body.

And how to treat such a pathology, what are autoimmune diseases, their list will be given below. It is possible to cure autism disorder. To do this, the attending physician must follow certain rules and take certain measures.

Markers of autoimmune diseases can be any. To establish the diagnosis and determine the antibodies, it is necessary to donate blood. Also, the reaction of the body to its own cells is different. The body can attack its tissues. These are autoimmune skin diseases or autoimmune blood diseases. Correct diagnosis autoimmune diseases helps to identify characteristic symptoms disease and prescribe appropriate therapy. In humans, the following pathologies can occur:

Deterioration mental abilities. The patient may find it difficult to concentrate. He may have a clouded mind.
Weight loss. The sign is common. It may indicate an earlier onset of the disease. A person can eat as before, but his weight will fall.
Weight gain without proper reason.
Pain in muscles or joints.
Decreased sensitivity. There may be numbness in the limbs.
Disorders in the digestive tract.
Baldness.

When such symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor. He will make a diagnosis, as well as prescribe the appropriate treatment for the signs that autoimmune diseases have.

Causes of pathology

The lymphocytes that are in the blood are sanitary bodies that can work with proteins and are aimed at eliminating all other pathogenic formations in the body. They begin to work when the cells of the body die for various reasons.

Also, lymphocytes cleanse the body. This is very useful, as with the help of them you can get rid of many problems. When lymphocytes do not work properly, disturbances occur in the body and autoimmune pathologies begin to appear.

In order for leukocytes to become aggressive both for their own and for other people's cells, two things are necessary. They can be:

External.
Internal.

The first are ailments, the treatment of which takes a long time. In this case, leukocytes become aggressive to all bodies. Also external factors can be negative manifestations nature. It's radiation Sun rays and other moments. Sometimes pathogenic bodies can disguise themselves as cells of the body, and therefore the leukocytes no longer know where they are and where they are foreign, and they begin to react aggressively to everyone.

Internal causes may be mutations in the body or genes. When such a gene is inherited to a person, then he has a greater risk of getting sick. The mutation can then affect entire systems of the body.

The pathology can also worsen from the fact that a person, when manifesting negative symptoms not in a hurry to visit the doctor. Sometimes it can also be observed by a doctor, but after a course of therapy, there will be no positive results. Therefore, it is possible to determine an autoimmune disease only by a blood test.

This will make it possible to determine the antibodies and establish their type. If any unusual symptoms appear, then there is no need to wait. You should immediately go to the doctor and be examined by him. This is the only way to quickly cure the disease.

Diagnosis

This process in this situation is not simple. Each type of immune disorder is special. But most of the diseases can occur with the same symptoms. Since the symptoms can be similar, an accurate diagnosis becomes difficult.

To help the doctor make a diagnosis, you need to find out the cause of the ailment. Here you will need to accurately report all the symptoms to the doctor, you will also need to collect a medical history of all close relatives. It is also important to visit a specialized doctor. For example, if you have a gastrointestinal disorder, you should contact a gastroenterologist. At some points, autoimmune thyroiditis can be diagnosed.

Autoimmune diseases: a list of diseases

Regardless of whether the pathologies can be very different, they often occur with the same symptoms:

Temperature.
fatigue.
Head spinning.
Fainting and others.

Therefore, it is important for the doctor to determine exactly what disease a person has. To do this, there is a list of such ailments, each of which has different symptoms.

Main diseases:

Sjögren's syndrome. hoarse voice, dryness of the membrane of the eyes, caries, swelling of the joints.
Vitiligo. Spots appear on the skin. Also, the mucous membrane in the mouth loses its color.
SLE. Joints and internal organs are affected. An ulcer or baldness may appear. A rash will appear on the skin. The temperature will appear.
Cirrhosis of the biliary type. Bile begins to accumulate in the ducts. May lead to liver failure.
scleroderma. Swallowing becomes more difficult, the skin becomes thicker and whiter, swelling and constipation.
myasthenia gravis. The muscles in the body are paralyzed. It is difficult to walk and speech is impaired.
Sclerosis. The brain and nerves suffer. Paralysis and tremor. Sometimes the limbs may become numb.
VZK. The work of the digestive tract is disrupted. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, mouth ulcers, weight loss.
Anemia. The number of red blood cells decreases and the load on the myocardium increases.

If such symptoms are detected, then you should immediately consult a doctor.

Treatment

Can be used to treat pathologies different methods. They will suppress the work of lymphocytes. Diet will also be important. To do this, you need to use dietary supplements and fats. There should be fish, fish oil, fish caviar and phospholipids with oils on the table. Doctors may also prescribe medications and recommend active image life.

Disease prevention

To do this, you must constantly maintain your health in good shape and monitor it. It is also important to maintain immunity. It is worth visiting the clinic regularly and undergoing examinations there, especially when there is congenital predisposition to such pathologies.

Also, attention should be paid to nutrition. It must be correct and balanced. You need to eat fruits, juices and milk. Do not abuse fried or fatty, sweet or salty.

To strengthen the immune system you need:

Eat properly.
Monitor bowel function.
Constantly walk in the air.
Rest.
Avoid stress.

You need to constantly monitor your health in order to avoid problems.

Autoimmune diseases, according to various sources, affect approximately 8 to 13% of the population of developed countries, and women most often suffer from these diseases. Autoimmune diseases are among the top 10 leading causes of death in women under the age of 65. The branch of medicine that studies the functioning of the immune system and its disorders (immunology) is still in the process of development, as doctors and researchers learn more about failures and shortcomings in the work of the natural protective system organism only in case of its malfunction.

Our bodies have an immune system, which is a complex network of special cells and organs that protect the body from germs, viruses, and other pathogens. The immune system is based on a mechanism that is able to distinguish the body's own tissues from foreign ones. Damage to the body can trigger a malfunction in the immune system, as a result of which it becomes unable to distinguish between its own tissues and foreign pathogens. When this happens, the body produces autoantibodies that attack normal cells by mistake. At the same time, special cells called regulatory T-lymphocytes are unable to do their job of maintaining the immune system. The result is an erroneous attack on the tissues of your organs. own body. This causes autoimmune processes that can affect different parts of the body, causing all sorts of types of autoimmune diseases, of which there are more than 80.

How common are autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune diseases are the leading cause of death and disability. However, some autoimmune diseases are rare, while others, such as autoimmune thyroiditis, affect many people.

Who suffers from autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune diseases can develop in anyone, but following groups people are exposed increased risk development of these diseases

Women childbearing age . Women are much more likely than men to suffer from autoimmune diseases, which often begin during childbearing years.
People with a family history of the disease. Some autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis, can be inherited from parents to children. Also often common can be the appearance in the same family various kinds autoimmune diseases. Heredity is a risk factor for developing these diseases in people whose ancestors suffered from some type of autoimmune disease, and the combination of genes and factors that can trigger the development of the disease further increases the risk.
People exposed to certain factors. Certain events or impact environment may cause or worsen some autoimmune diseases. sunlight, chemical substances(solvents), as well as viral and bacterial infections can trigger the development of many autoimmune diseases.
People of certain races or ethnic groups . Some autoimmune diseases are more common or affect certain groups of people more severely than others. For example, type 1 diabetes is more common in white people. Systemic lupus erythematosus is most severe in African Americans and Hispanics.

Autoimmune diseases: the ratio of the incidence of women and men

Types of Autoimmune Diseases and Their Symptoms

The autoimmune diseases listed below are either more common in women than men, or occur in many women and men at about the same rate.

And although each disease is unique, they can have similar symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness and slight increase body temperature. The symptoms of many autoimmune diseases can come and go, and be mild to severe form. When the symptoms go away for a while, this is called remission, after which there may be sudden and severe flare-ups of symptoms.

Alopecia areata

The immune system attacks hair follicles(the structures from which hair grows). This disease is usually not a health hazard, but it can greatly affect a person's appearance and self-esteem. Symptoms of this autoimmune disease include:

patchy hair loss on the scalp, face, or other areas of your body

Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)

Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes problems with the lining of blood vessels, resulting in blood clots (clots) in the arteries or veins. Antiphospholipid syndrome can lead to the following symptoms:

formation of blood clots in veins and arteries
multiple miscarriages
lacy mesh red rash on wrists and knees

autoimmune hepatitis

The immune system attacks and destroys liver cells. This can lead to scarring and lumps in the liver and, in some cases, to liver failure. Autoimmune hepatitis causes the following symptoms:

fatigue
liver enlargement
pruritus
joint pain
stomach pain or indigestion

Celiac disease (gluten enteropathy)

This autoimmune disease is characterized by an intolerance to gluten (gluten), a substance found in wheat, rye and barley, as well as some medicines. When people with celiac disease eat foods that contain gluten, the immune system reacts to mucosal damage. small intestine. Symptoms of celiac disease include:

bloating and pain
diarrhea or constipation
weight loss or gain
fatigue
disruptions in the menstrual cycle
skin rash and itching
infertility or miscarriage

Type 1 diabetes

This autoimmune disease is characterized by your immune system attacking the cells that make insulin, a hormone needed to control blood sugar levels. As a result, your body cannot produce insulin, without which too much sugar is left in the blood. Too much high level blood sugar can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, gums and teeth. But the most serious problem associated with diabetes is heart disease. At diabetes Type 1, patients may experience the following symptoms:

excessive thirst
frequent urge to urinate
strong feeling of hunger
severe fatigue
weight loss for no apparent reason
slow healing wounds
dry, itchy skin
decreased sensation in the legs
tingling in the legs
blurry vision

Basedow's disease (Graves' disease)

This autoimmune disease causes the thyroid gland to overproduce thyroid hormones. Symptoms of Basedow's disease include:

insomnia
irritability
weight loss
heat sensitivity
increased sweating
thin brittle hair
muscle weakness
irregularities in the menstrual cycle
bulging eyes
shaking hands
sometimes there are no symptoms

Guillain-Barré syndrome

This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the nerves that connect your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body. Nerve damage makes signaling difficult. Among the symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a person may experience the following:

weakness or tingling in the legs, which may radiate to upper part body
in severe cases, paralysis may occur

Symptoms often progress relatively quickly, over days or weeks, and often affect both sides of the body.

Autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease)

A disease that damages the thyroid gland, causing it to become incapable of producing enough hormones. Symptoms and signs of autoimmune thyroiditis include:

fatigue
weakness
overweight (obesity)
sensitivity to cold
muscle pain
joint stiffness
swelling of the face
constipation

Hemolytic anemia

This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys red blood cells. At the same time, the body is not able to produce new red cells quickly enough. blood cells to meet the needs of the body. As a result, your body is not getting the oxygen it needs to normal functioning organs, leading to increased load on the heart, as it must vigorously pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. Hemolytic anemia causes the following symptoms:

fatigue
dyspnea
dizziness
cold hands or feet
pallor
yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
heart problems, including heart failure

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (Werlhof's disease)

This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys platelets needed for blood clotting. Among the symptoms of this disease, a person may experience the following:

very heavy menstruation
tiny purple or red dots on the skin that may look like a rash
minor bruising
bleeding from the nose or mouth

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

This autoimmune disease causes chronic inflammation gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common forms of IBD. Symptoms of IBD include:

abdominal pain
diarrhea (may be bloody)

Some people also experience the following symptoms:

rectal bleeding
increase in body temperature
weight loss
fatigue
mouth ulcers (in Crohn's disease)
painful or difficult bowel movements (with ulcerative colitis)

Inflammatory myopathies

This is a group of diseases that cause muscle inflammation and muscle weakness. Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are more common in women than in men. Inflammatory myopathies can cause the following symptoms:

Slowly progressive muscle weakness, starting in the muscles of the lower body. Polymyositis affects the muscles that control movement on both sides of the body. Dermatomyositis causes a skin rash that may be accompanied by muscle weakness.

You may also experience the following symptoms:

fatigue after walking or standing
trips or falls
difficulty swallowing or breathing

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the protective covering of the nerves. Damage is dealt to the head and spinal cord. A person with MS may experience the following symptoms:

weakness and problems with coordination, balance, speech, and walking
paralysis
shivering (tremor)
numbness and tingling in the limbs
symptoms vary depending on the location and severity of each attack

myasthenia gravis

A disease in which the immune system attacks nerves and muscles throughout the body. A person with myasthenia gravis experiences the following symptoms:

double vision, trouble focusing, and drooping eyelids
swallowing problems, frequent belching or suffocation
weakness or paralysis
muscles work better after rest
head holding problems
trouble climbing stairs or lifting things
speech problems

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)

In this autoimmune disease, the immune system slowly destroys bile ducts in the liver. Bile is a substance produced in the liver. It passes through the bile ducts to aid digestion. When the channels are destroyed by the immune system, bile accumulates in the liver and damages it. Damage to the liver hardens and leaves scars, which eventually leads to the incapacity of this organ. Symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis include:

fatigue
pruritus
dry eyes and mouth
yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes

Psoriasis

It is an autoimmune disease that causes excessive and excessive fast growth new skin cells, causing huge layers of skin cells to accumulate on the surface skin. A person with psoriasis experiences the following symptoms:

hard red patches on the skin covered with scales (usually appear on the head, elbows and knees)
itching and pain, which can adversely affect a person's performance and worsen sleep

A person with psoriasis may also suffer from the following:

A form of arthritis that often affects the joints and ends of the fingers and toes. Back pain can occur if the spine is affected.

Rheumatoid arthritis

This is a disease in which the immune system attacks the lining of the joints throughout the body. With rheumatoid arthritis, a person may experience the following symptoms:

soreness, stiffness, swelling and deformity of the joints
deterioration in motor function

A person may also have the following symptoms:

fatigue
elevated body temperature
weight loss
eye inflammation
lung disease
neoplasms under the skin, often on the elbows
anemia

scleroderma

It is an autoimmune disease that causes abnormal growth connective tissue in skin and blood vessels. Symptoms of scleroderma are:

fingers and toes become white, red, or blue due to exposure to heat and cold
pain, stiffness, and swelling of the fingers and joints
skin thickening
skin looks shiny on hands and forearms
the skin of the face is stretched like a mask
sores on fingers or toes
swallowing problems
weight loss
diarrhea or constipation
dyspnea

Sjögren's syndrome

This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the tear and salivary glands. With Sjögren's syndrome, a person may experience the following symptoms:

dry eyes
itchy eyes
dry mouth, which can lead to ulceration
swallowing problems
loss of taste sensation
severe dental caries
hoarse voice
fatigue
joint swelling or joint pain
swollen tonsils
cloudy eyes

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, Liebman-Sachs disease)

A disease that can cause damage to the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, and other parts of the body. Symptoms of SLE include:

increase in body temperature
weight loss
hair loss
mouth ulcers
fatigue
butterfly-shaped rash on nose and cheeks
rashes on other parts of the body
painful or swollen joints and muscle pain
sun sensitivity
chest pain
headache, dizziness, seizure, memory problems, or change in behavior

Vitiligo

This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys the pigment cells of the skin (give color to the skin). The immune system can also attack tissues in the mouth and nose. Vitiligo symptoms include:

white patches on areas of skin exposed to the sun or on the armpits, genitals, and rectum
early gray hair
loss of color in the mouth

Are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Autoimmune Diseases?

Syndrome chronic fatigue(CFS) and fibromyalgia are not autoimmune diseases. But they often show signs of certain autoimmune diseases, such as constant fatigue and pain.

CFS can cause extreme fatigue and loss of energy, trouble concentrating, and muscle pain. Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome come and go. The cause of CFS is not known.
Fibromyalgia is a disease in which pain or tenderness occurs in many places throughout the body. These " pain points» are located on the neck, shoulders, back, thighs, arms and legs and are painful when pressed on them. Among other symptoms of fibromyalgia, a person may experience fatigue, trouble sleeping, and morning stiffness joints. Fibromyalgia mostly affects women of childbearing age. However, in rare cases this disease can also develop in children, the elderly and men. The cause of fibromyalgia is not known.

How do I know if I have an autoimmune disease?

Making a diagnosis can be a long and stressful process. While each autoimmune disease is unique, many of these diseases share similar symptoms. In addition, many of the symptoms of autoimmune diseases are very similar to other types of health problems. This makes it difficult to diagnose, where it is quite difficult for a doctor to understand whether you really suffer from an autoimmune disease, or whether it is something else. But if you are experiencing symptoms that bother you a lot, it is extremely important to find the cause of your condition. If you don't get any answers, don't give up. You can take the following steps to help figure out the cause of your symptoms:

Write down a complete family medical history of your relatives, and then show it to your doctor.
Write down all the symptoms you experience, even if they seem unrelated, and show them to your doctor.
See a specialist who has experience with your most basic symptom. For example, if you have symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, start by visiting a gastroenterologist. If you don't know who to contact about your problem, start by visiting a therapist.

Diagnosing autoimmune diseases can be tricky.

Which doctors specialize in the treatment of autoimmune diseases?

Here are some specialists who treat autoimmune diseases and related conditions:

Nephrologist. A doctor who specializes in treating kidney disorders, such as inflammation of the kidneys caused by systemic lupus erythematosus. The kidneys are organs that purify the blood and produce urine.
Rheumatologist. A doctor who specializes in the treatment of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases such as scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Endocrinologist. Doctor who specializes in the treatment of glands internal secretion And hormonal diseases such as diabetes and thyroid disease.
Neurologist. A doctor who specializes in the treatment of diseases nervous system such as multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis.
Hematologist. A doctor who specializes in treating blood disorders such as some forms of anemia.
Gastroenterologist. A doctor who specializes in the treatment of diseases digestive system such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Dermatologist. A doctor who specializes in the treatment of skin, hair and nail conditions such as psoriasis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Physiotherapist. Health care worker who uses the appropriate types physical activity to help patients suffering from joint stiffness, muscle weakness and limited body movement.
occupational therapist. A healthcare worker who can find ways to make the patient's day-to-day activities easier despite pain and other health problems. It can teach a person new ways to control daily affairs or the use of special devices. He may also suggest making some changes to your home or workplace.
Speech therapist. Health care professional who helps people with speech problems with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Audiologist. A healthcare professional who can help people with hearing problems, including internal ear damage associated with autoimmune diseases.
Psychologist. A specially trained specialist who can help you find ways to manage your illness. You can work through your feelings of anger, fear, denial and frustration.

Are there drugs to treat autoimmune diseases?

There are many types of drugs used to treat autoimmune diseases. The type of medicines you need depends on what condition you have, how serious it is, and how severe your symptoms are. Treatment focuses primarily on the following:

Relief of symptoms. Some people may use drugs to relieve minor symptoms. For example, a person may take drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen to relieve pain. With more serious symptoms a person may need prescription medications to help relieve symptoms such as pain, swelling, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, fatigue, or rashes. In rare cases, surgery may be recommended to the patient.
Replacement therapy. Some autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and thyroid disease, can affect the body's ability to produce substances it needs to function properly. Therefore, if the body is unable to produce certain hormones, recommend hormone replacement therapy, during which the person takes the missing synthetic hormones. Diabetes requires insulin injections to regulate blood sugar levels. Synthetic thyroid hormones restore thyroid hormone levels in people with decreased activity thyroid gland.
Suppression of the immune system. Some drugs can suppress the activity of the immune system. These drugs can help control the disease process and preserve organ function. For example, these drugs are used to control inflammation in affected kidneys in people with systemic lupus erythematosus in order to keep the kidneys working. Medicines used to suppress inflammation include chemotherapy, which is used for cancer, but at lower doses, and drugs taken by organ transplant patients to protect against rejection. A class of drugs called anti-TNF drugs block inflammation in some forms of autoimmune arthritis and psoriasis.

New treatments for autoimmune diseases are being explored all the time.

Are there alternative treatments for autoimmune diseases?

Many people at some point in their lives try to use some form of alternative medicine. For example, they resort to using plant origin, resort to the services of a chiropractor, use acupuncture therapy and hypnosis. I would like to point out that if you suffer from an autoimmune disease, alternative methods treatments can help relieve some of your symptoms. However, research into alternative treatments for autoimmune diseases is limited. In addition, some non-traditional medicinal products may cause health problems or interfere with other drugs from working. If you want to try alternative treatments, be sure to discuss this with your doctor. Your doctor may point you to possible benefits and the risks of this type of treatment.

I want to have a child. Can an autoimmune disease damage?

Women with autoimmune diseases can safely have children. But there may be some risks for both mother and baby, depending on the type of autoimmune disease and its severity. For example, pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus are at increased risk premature birth and stillbirth. Pregnant women with myasthenia gravis may have symptoms that lead to difficulty breathing during pregnancy. Some women experience relief of symptoms during pregnancy, while others get worse. Also, some medications used to treat autoimmune diseases are not safe to use during pregnancy.

If you want to have a baby, talk to your doctor before you start trying to get pregnant. Your doctor may suggest that you wait until your illness goes into remission or suggest that you change medications first.

Some women with autoimmune diseases may have trouble getting pregnant. This can happen for many reasons. Diagnosis can show if fertility problems are related, with an autoimmune disease, or for another reason. For some women with an autoimmune disease, fertility drugs can help them get pregnant.

How can I deal with outbreaks of autoimmune diseases?

Outbreaks of autoimmune diseases can occur suddenly and be very difficult to endure. You may notice that certain factors that contribute to your flare-ups, such as stress or sun exposure, can make your condition worse. Knowing these factors, you can try to avoid them while undergoing treatment, which will help to prevent outbreaks or reduce their intensity. If you have an outbreak, you should contact your doctor immediately.

What else can you do to improve your condition?

If you are living with an autoimmune disease, there are things you can do every day to feel better:

Eat healthy, well-balanced food. Make sure your diet consists of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low fat or low content fat from dairy products and a lean source of protein. Limit your intake of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, salt, and refined sugar. If you follow the plan healthy eating, you will receive all the necessary nutrients from food.
Be physically active. But be careful not to overdo it. Talk to your doctor about what types of physical activity you can use. A gradual increase in stress and a gentle exercise program often works well for people with muscle damage and joint pain. Some types of yoga or tai chi exercises can be very helpful for you.
Get some rest. Rest gives your body's tissues and joints the time they need to recover. Healthy sleep is excellent remedy helping your body and mind. If you don't get enough sleep and are stressed out, your symptoms may worsen. When you do not sleep well, you also cannot effectively fight the disease. When you are well rested, you can better deal with your problems and reduce your risk of developing illness. Most people need at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep every day to feel well rested.
Reduce your stress levels. Stress and anxiety can trigger flare-ups of the symptoms of some autoimmune diseases. Therefore, using ways that can help you simplify your life and cope with daily stresses will help you feel better. Meditation, self-hypnosis, visualization and simple methods relaxation can help you reduce stress, control pain, and improve other aspects of life related to your illness. You can learn how to do this through books, audio and video materials, or with the help of an instructor, and you can also use the stress relief techniques described on this page -

What are autoimmune diseases? Their list is very wide and includes about 80 clinical signs diseases, which, however, are united by a single mechanism of development: for reasons still unknown to medicine, the immune system takes the cells of its own body as "enemies" and begins to destroy them.

One organ can get into the attack zone - then we are talking about the organ-specific form. If two or more organs are affected, then we are dealing with systemic disease. Some of them can run like systemic manifestations, and without them, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Some diseases are characterized by simultaneous damage various organs, with others, the consistency appears only in the case of progression.

These are the most unpredictable diseases: they can suddenly appear and disappear just as spontaneously; appear once in a lifetime and never bother a person again; rapidly progress and end lethal outcome... But most often they take chronic form and require lifelong treatment.

Systemic autoimmune diseases. List

What other systemic autoimmune diseases are there? The list can be continued with such pathologies as:

dermatopolymyositis is a severe, rapidly progressive lesion of connective tissue with involvement of transversely smooth muscles, skin, and internal organs in the process;
which is characterized by venous thrombosis;
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease that most commonly affects the lungs, but also the heart, kidneys, liver, brain, spleen, reproductive and endocrine system, gastrointestinal tract and other organs.

Organ-specific and mixed forms

Organ-specific types include primary myxedema, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyrotoxicosis ( diffuse goiter), autoimmune gastritis, pernicious anemia, (insufficiency of the adrenal cortex), and severe myasthenia gravis.

From mixed forms should be called Crohn's disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, celiac disease, chronic active hepatitis and others.

Autoimmune diseases. List by predominant symptoms

This type of pathology can be divided depending on which organ is predominantly affected. This list includes systemic, mixed, and organ-specific forms.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis is based on the clinical picture and lab tests for autoimmune diseases. As a rule, they take a general, biochemical and immunological blood test.