A List of Autoimmune Diseases
The Autoimmune Association and Global Autoimmune Institute have compiled a list of autoimmune diseases, including various disorders affecting any organ or tissue. The list shows the wide range of clinical manifestations and patient phenotypes associated with each disease. Check out their articles on Symptoms, Pathology, and Treatments for further reading.
Symptoms
Many autoimmune diseases affect the body. These disorders affect the joints and other organs. They can also affect fertility and pregnancy. Fortunately, many of these diseases are treatable, and some can even go into remission. But to ensure the best outcome, it is important to consult your doctor to get the right treatment.
Symptoms of an autoimmune disease can vary, and it's important to seek medical attention when you experience them. The main characteristic of autoimmune disease is inflammation. This inflammation can be accompanied by heat or pain. Another common symptom is fatigue. In addition, your lymph nodes may swell and become painful.
Pathology
Pathology of autoimmune disease is an important area of study. Scientists are trying to determine the causes of different autoimmune disorders and the genetics involved. Several environmental factors are also suspected. For example, poor air quality and pollution can lead to autoimmune diseases. Local viral infections are another possible cause.
The pathogenesis of autoimmune disease includes the interaction of genetics, environment, and the immune system. The immune system produces antibodies against antigens, which enables it to destroy foreign particles. However, autoimmune diseases affect this process, causing the body to attack healthy tissues instead of invading foreign bodies.
Treatments
Although there is currently no cure for autoimmune disease, treatments are available to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Many treatments involve medications, which suppress the immune system. Other treatments involve restoring substances, such as insulin, destroyed by the disease. Various dietary changes can also help people with autoimmune diseases. These measures can improve overall health and quality of life.
Prescription drugs are commonly prescribed to help with the symptoms of autoimmune diseases. However, they are more expensive than over-the-counter medications and can cause more side effects. Some medications are known as immunosuppressive agents and suppress the immune system to prevent the onset of inflammation and restore normal function. These drugs can also prevent organ rejection after organ transplants.
Prevalence
The prevalence of autoimmune diseases is the rate of disease occurrence in a population. It is calculated by averaging the patient population at the end of a calendar year with the previous year's. The prevalence rates are reported with 95% confidence intervals. This study compared prevalence rates for 26 different autoimmune diseases between patients with JIA and control groups from a general practice patient population.
The data were collected from patient records. The data included information about the date of diagnosis, presenting symptoms, confirmatory tests, and treatment. Common chronic comorbidities were hypertension, coronary artery disease, and atrial fibrillation.
