Overview – The concept of autoimmune diseases aren’t new to the world or to anybody reading this. Autoimmune diseases are by far the worst sort of medical conditions one can have, irrespective of the fact that in what intensity it has affected them and for how long.
Autoimmune diseases are basically the diseases that are caused by your immune system to your own body. Which means that our immunity, the quality that is given to our body to eradicate and diagnose the entry of harmful foreign agents automatically, cannot distinguish between the foreign cells and the body’s own cells. It then mistakes your cells, joints, and muscles to be foreign particles and sends autoantibodies to attack the cells. Some target one organ. Some target the whole body. The cause of autoimmune diseases is still unclear, but research and consensus suggests and shows that for every 1 man, 2 women contain this condition, which generally takes place from their childbearing days.
Types – There are several types of autoimmune diseases that can take place in the body of an individual, and the most common ones have been listening down below with their possible treatments,
- Type 1 Diabetes: In this case, the autoimmune disease is such that the autoantibodies attack the cells of the pancreas which releases the insulin that helps control the blood sugar level, making the sugar level rise. This, in turn, creates a vast number of problems that can become serious with time if not controlled.
Treatment – Insulin injections need to be taken regularly that will help with the decrease of the blood sugar levels and help the individual survive.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: This disease is where the immune system recognizes and attacks the joints of the body making the body sore, stiff, and reddening and warming the joints to a very uncomfortable level that leads to permanent joint damage.
Treatment – The treatments for this kind of arthritis generally include injectable medicines and medications over time that take control of the immune system and reduce the degenerative activity.
- Psoriasis: This is a condition where the immune system attacks the skin cells, which makes the skin cells multiply too quickly, after which they ultimately form red patches, with silver-white scales. The cells grow and shed, and it’s like a continuous cycle that takes place.
Treatment – Treatments like photodynamic therapy and medications like steroids, Vitamins A derivative, and Anti-inflammatory drugs can be had to reduce this condition to some extent.
- Multiple Sclerosis: A very serious condition that takes place in the body, where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath that is present around the nerve cells as a protective coating. When this sheath is attacked, the reaction time and the messages that go to and fro from your brain slow down, which in turn results in serious issues like trouble walking and balancing.
Treatment – Medications, and treatments that can be taken to reduce this are chemotherapy, steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, and therapies like counseling and speech therapy.
- Lupus: Lupus is one such condition that takes control of all the tissues in the body and the antibodies created to attach to all the tissues of the body, which commonly produces rashes. This condition generally affects the kidneys, brain, heart, and the joint of the person. This is a very serious condition that is taking place a lot nowadays.
Treatment – The best treatment for lupus is ingesting a specific drug called prednisone, which primarily helps to take control over the immune system and helps to control the damages caused by it to the body of the individual.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease: This is a general term that is used when the immune system of the body attacks the lining of the intestinal wall that causes reactions in the body like, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fever, and weight loss without absolutely any reason. There can be two types of IBD, depending on the specific parts they affect in, Ulcerative Colitis, and Crohn’s Disease.
Treatment – Oral and injected medicines can be had that will suppress the immune system and keep it in check. There isn’t any specific and comprehensive treatment for this. It is suggested to go and have a proper checkup with the doctor when the symptoms start increasing strangely.
- Graves’ disease: This disease happens when the immune system of the body attacks the thyroid gland in the neck, making it produce more hormones than necessary. The thyroid hormones control the metabolism of the body, and hence, when this condition takes place, the individual faces nervousness, fast heartbeats, and weight loss abruptly.
Treatment – The treatment for this condition generally ends up with the destruction or removal of the thyroid gland in the body, either via extensive surgeries or by the regular intake of medicines.