What are autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune DiseasesOur bodies have an immune system that protects us from disease and infection. But if you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks itself by mistake, and you can get sick. Autoimmune diseases can affect connective tissue in your body (the tissue which binds together body tissues and organs). Autoimmune disease can affect many parts of your body, like your nerves, muscles, endocrine system (system that directs your body’s hormones and other chemicals), and digestive system.
Related QuestionsCanadian Society of Intestinal Research • Ibd FaqThe term autoimmune disease refers to any one of many conditions where the body's defence mechanisms appear to be attacking its own tissues, almost as though the body had somehow become allergic to part of itself. There are a number of features of Crohn's and colitis that resemble this type of auto-allergic or autoimmune reaction. the favourable response to certain "anti-allergic" drugs such as cortisone.Related Questions
Archive - DrDonnica.com - The First Name in Women's HealthAutoimmune diseases occur when the immune system turns on the self, producing antibodies. They include diseases like lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleraderma, type one diabetes, and autoimmune liver disease.Related Questions
How do I find out if it's autoimmune?
FAQ - ICUS - International Chronic Urticaria SocietyOne of the first tests you should have is something called the autologous serum skin test (ASST). This test is still not widely available, so it may take some hunting around to find a local clinic or hospital that offers the test. The ASST involves taking a sample of your blood, spinning it down in a centrifuge to separate the serum, and then injecting the serum back into your arm. A wheal/flare response to the injection is considered positive for autoimmune CU.
Related QuestionsWhat if I am not autoimmune?
FAQ - ICUS - International Chronic Urticaria SocietyCan you take aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)? If not, you may be salicylate sensitive. Salicylates are the active ingredient in aspirin, and are found in all plant matter to some extent (fruits, vegetables, herbal supplements, etc). If you find that taking aspirin makes your hives worse, you may have discovered your cause. This is also true if you cannot tolerate other NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen or Aleve, because they are cross-reactive with salicylates.
Related QuestionsCan taking Immune Alert cause autoimmune diseases or aggravate an autoimmune disease?
Immune Alert - All Natural Immune SupplementNo. In numerous clinical studies there was no indication that the active ingredient in Immune Alert causes autoimmune diseases or aggravates an existing one. However, if you have any questions you should consult your physician or health care provider.
Related QuestionsCan vaccines cause autoimmune diseases?
BH ArticlesVaccines themselves do not cause autoimmune disease, but in genetically predisposed animals they may trigger autoimmune responses followed by disease - as can any infection, drug, or a variety of other factors. Yes - For example, Leptospira bacterins are often the diluent for the viral antigen combination. The "viral cake" may be resuspended in sterile water, and the Leptospira bacterin be given separately at another site or time, or discarded.
Related QuestionsWho is at risk for getting autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune DiseasesMost autoimmune diseases occur in women, and most often during their childbearing years. Some of these diseases also affect African American, American Indian, and Latina women more than white women. These diseases tend to run in families, so your genes, along with the way your immune system responds to certain triggers or things in the environment, affect your chances of getting one of these diseases.
Related QuestionsWhat are the most common symptoms of autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune DiseasesThere are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases. Learning the symptoms of some of the more common autoimmune diseases can help you recognize the signs if you get one. But some autoimmune diseases share similar symptoms. This makes it hard for doctors to find out if you really have one of these diseases, and which one it might be. This can make your trip to doctors long and stressful. But if you are having symptoms that bother you, you need to persist to make sure you get relief.
Related QuestionsAre there medicines to treat autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune DiseasesYou can take medicines to help your symptoms, which your doctor(s) will talk with you about. The type of medicine you take depends on which disease you have and what your symptoms are. Some people can take over-the-counter drugs, like aspirin and ibuprofen for pain. Others with more severe symptoms may have to take certain kinds of prescription drugs that can help with pain, swelling, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, fatigue, or rashes.
Related QuestionsCan autoimmune diseases or reactions improve with a gluten-free diet?
Clearly most immune-related damage in the intestine heals with a gluten-free diet. Now it appears from early research of this question that many if not all autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune thyroid disease, psoriasis, alopecia, arthritis, lupus, hepatitis, diabetes, among others, and autism improve with a gluten-free diet.
Related QuestionsWhat do you recommend for autoimmune diseases?
Fetalogos - Frequently Asked QuestionsAlong with the work that I do, I recommend Transfer Factor Plus. It is the best product I have found. For more information, go to http://www.4tf.com/fetalogos.
Related QuestionsWhat happens in autoimmune diseases like lupus?
FAQThe immune system is designed to protect and defend the body from foreign intruders (bacteria, viruses). You can think of it like a security system for your body. It contains several different types of cells, some of which function like "security guards" and are constantly on patrol looking for any foreign invaders. When they spot one, they take action, and eliminate the intruder.
Related QuestionsWhat is an autoimmune disorder?
Vitiligo Support International - Frequently Asked Questionsautoimmune disorder is any of a number of conditions in which a person's immune system reacts against the body's own organs or tissues, and the person's immune system produces antibodies to them. An autoimmune disorder is NOT an "immune deficiency". In the case of vitiligo, we believe that the immune system probably sees the person's own pigment cells as foreign bodies, and attacks them, destroying them or weakening them.
Related QuestionsAre chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune DiseasesChronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are not autoimmune diseases, but they often have symptoms—like being tired all the time and pain—that may seem like other autoimmune diseases. CFS can cause you to be very tired, have trouble concentrating, feel weak, and have muscle pain. Symptoms of CFS come and go. The cause of CFS is not known. FM is a disorder with symptoms of widespread muscle pain, fatigue (feeling tired and having low energy), and multiple tender points.
Related QuestionsCan visualization fight cancer, the HIV virus or autoimmune diseases?
DrJayStone.comThere have been 22 medical studies on visualization and healing. In 18 of those studies, the conclusion was that visualization helps fight cancer. For more information on visualization and healing, read Getting Well Again by oncologist Dr. Carl Simonton.
Related QuestionsDo you sell supplements for specific cancers and other autoimmune and degenerative diseases?
Welcome to Century Wellness ClinicYes, we do sell customized holistic formulas to our patients only. In order to receive our support formulas for your disease, you would need to be seen in our office. Please click on the following link for Dr. Forsythe’s newsletters that include information on supplements http://www.drforsythe.com/cw/newsindex.php. For specific questions on nutrition, please e-mail our nutritionist at Laura@drforsythe.com.
Related QuestionsIs ulcerative colitis an autoimmune disease?
Frequently Asked QuestionsThere is certainly a malfunction in the immune system that takes place in ulcerative colitis. However, immunosuppressive medications used to keep individuals from rejecting transplanted organs have shown less effectiveness in treating ulcerative colitis than in treating Crohn's disease.
Related QuestionsIs Crohn's disease an autoimmune disease?
Frequently Asked QuestionsA malfunction in the immune system is certainly a part of Crohn's disease. This may be an inability to "turn off" the immune system after it "turns on" for an appropriate reason. Or, the immune system may "turn on" for the wrong reason. Immunosuppressive medications used to keep individuals from rejecting transplanted organs have been shown to be effective in treating Crohn's disease. These factors have led many researchers to characterize Crohn's disease as autoimmune.
Related QuestionsWhat is an autoimmune disease?
Faustman Lab- FAQaautoimmune disease is a disease in which the immune system malfunctions and mistakenly attacks itself. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system incorrectly targets, attacks and destroys a person's own insulin-producing cells. Other autoimmune diseases include lupus, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Related QuestionsLupus Frequently Asked QuestionsFirst, it is important to understand the normal way the immune system functions. The immune system is the body's normal defense system against foreign or non-self invaders, such as infections from the environment or tumors from within the body. A normal immune response includes making antibodies and causing inflammation in an effort to rid the body of the foreign intruder.Related Questions
ARE THERE CORRELATIONS WITH OTHER DISEASES?
QTsyndrome.ch - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Recent research suggests that a prolonged QT-interval could be an important cause for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Mutations in the KCNJ2 gene are associated with Andersen syndrome (AS). AS is a rare, inherited disorder characterized by periodic paralysis, skeletal developmental abnormalities and a prolonged QT-interval (see point 2) with ventricular arrhythmias. Because of the prolongation of the QT-interval, AS is considered a subtype of long QT syndrome.
Related QuestionsAre these diseases very serious?
San Diego Immunization Information > Parents & Commun...Although we might not think these diseases are very serious because we don't see them in our communities, they do still exist and can be very deadly. Before the MMR vaccine, measles used to kill hundreds--sometimes thousands--of people a year. In the 1920's over 10,000 people a year died from diphtheria. And in the 1940's and 50's tens of thousands of children were crippled and killed by polio.
Related QuestionsWhat diseases are covered?
FAQ Frequently Asked QuestionsFor POWs detained for 30 days or more, such eligibility covers any of the following illnesses that are found at a compensable level (at least 10 percent disabling): avitaminosis; beriberi; chronic dysentery; dysthymic disorder, or depressive neurosis; helminthiasis; irritable bowel syndrome and malnutrition, including associated optic atrophy.
Related QuestionsWhat about catching diseases?
The Barefoot FAQThe following is an excerpt from a pamphlet on Athlete's Foot by the American Academy of Dermatology, April 1994: Athlete's foot does not occur among people who traditionally go barefoot. It's moisture, sweating and lack of proper ventilation of the feet that present the perfect setting for the fungus of athlete's foot to grow.
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