autoimmune 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.

Postpartum thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid that occurs in women after the delivery of a baby See similar questions...

There 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. See similar questions...

A 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. See similar questions...

Postpartum thyroiditis is caused by of anti-thyroid (anti-thyroid peroxidase, anti-thyroglobulin) antibodies that attack the thyroid and cause inflammation. See similar questions...

In the United Status, postpartum thyroiditis occurs in approximately 5-10% of women. The incidence can be greater in certain high-risk populations (see below). See similar questions...

The thyrotoxic phase may be treated with beta blockers to decrease palpitations and reduce shakes and tremors. As symptoms improve, the medication is tapered off since the thyrotoxic phase is transient. Antithyroid medications (see Hyperthyroid brochure) are not used for the thyrotoxic phase since the thyroid is not overactive. The hypothyroid phase is often treated with thyroid hormone replacement (see Thyroid Hormone Therapy brochure). See similar questions...

Positive anti-thyroid antibodies (risk correlates with antibody levels, the higher the antibody the higher the risk) History of previous postpartum thyroiditis (20% of women will have recurrence of thyroiditis with subsequent pregnancies) See similar questions...

The classic description of postpartum thyroiditis includes thyrotoxicosis followed by hypothyroidism. The thyrotoxic phase usually lasts for 1-3 months and is associated with symptoms including anxiety, insomnia, palpitations (fast heart rate) fatigue, weight loss, and irritability. The hypothyroid phase typically occurs 1-3 months after the thyrotoxic phase and may last up to 9 –12 months. See similar questions...

Acute lymphocytic leukemia is a rapidly progressing disease that is marked by the overabundance of immature or functionless white blood cells (called lymphoblasts) in the blood and bone marrow. Although it is also found in adults, this is the most common type of leukemia to strike children. See similar questions...

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is caused by the overbundance of mature white blood cells (lymphocytes) in the body. The disease, which begins in the bone marrow but quickly spreads to other organs, rarely affects children and instead typically strikes adults over age 55. See similar questions...

While there is still no cure for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), there are several types of treatment designed to bring this disease into remission, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, bone marrow transplantation, and peripheral stem cell transplantation. See similar questions...

EMS is described as being autoimmune-mediated or by some as autoimmune. It definitely is a disease that involves autoimmunity. See similar questions...

Conventional wisdom believes that Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the body's defense system responds to a "false alarm" and attacks the joints. Different opinions center on which part of the joint is involved. Some believe that the synovium is attacked. Others argue that the collagen is assaulted. None of the argument really matters because the cause of the disease remains unknown to researchers. See similar questions...

The immune system plays a major role in development of joint inflammation and damage, fatigue, and the feeling that you have a chronic viral illness. The immune system is made up of body-protecting cells and antibodies. In normal people, these help to fight off invading infectious agents. In RA, however, something goes awry, and immune system appears to be directed against the person's tissues. Thus, it is called an autoimmune disorder. See similar questions...

The 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. See similar questions...

An autoimmune disease causes the body to attack itself. Some autoimmune diseases include lupus, multiple sclerosis and Celiac Disease. See similar questions...

Thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid gland. It generally occurs after a viral illness (which is known as subacute thyroiditis) or a pregnancy (postpartum thyroiditis). No specific virus or bacteria has been identified as causing the condition. This condition is temporary, but runs through a cycle of about six to three months. First, the thyroid will release too much thyroid hormone, resulting in hyperthyroidism. See similar questions...