Autoimmune diseases: The facts behind the different types of immune-deficiency disorders

Origin of autoimmune diseases - Many theories exist as to why autoimmune diseases occur. The basic notion is that autoimmune diseases are thought to arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. External environmental factors may trigger a genetic predisposition to disease, cause changes to hormone levels, or compound low immunoregulatory control.

4 / 25 Fotos

Rise in incidences - Recorded incidences of autoimmune diseases have increased over the last 40 years. Future predictions indicate that these diseases will affect between 15 and 20% of the world's population.

5 / 25 Fotos

Many different types of illnesses -

There are more than 30 illnesses caused by autoimmunity, each of which is identified by different symptoms and attacks specific areas of the body.

6 / 25 Fotos

Every part of the body can be affected - Autoimmune diseases can affect nearly every part of the body including heart, brain, blood vessels, the nervous and digestive systems, muscle and skin tissue, eyes, joints, lungs, kidneys, and various glands.

7 / 25 Fotos

Inflammation - Depending on the condition, classic symptoms of an autoimmune disease include inflammation, painful rashes, and swelling.

8 / 25 Fotos

Stiff and painful joints - Rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis are common examples of autoimmune disease. Sufferers complain of stiff, painful joints and restricted function.

9 / 25 Fotos

The thyroid gland - If it affects the thyroid gland, as in Graves' disease or thyroiditis, the condition can cause fatigue, weight gain and muscle pain.

10 / 25 Fotos

Skin conditions -

If the attacks affect the skin, as in systemic sclerosis, vitiligo, and systemic lupus erythematosus, the disease can cause wounds, blisters, and color changes to the epidermis.

11 / 25 Fotos

The whole body - There are many examples of autoimmune diseases, which can attack various regions of the body as well as specific glands and organs.

12 / 25 Fotos

Increased hygiene - Many hypotheses exist as to why autoimmune diseases appear and how they may be treated. Several are controversial, including the suggestion that just practicing better hygiene habits can reduce instances of immune system disorders.

13 / 25 Fotos

Infections - Another controversial opinion is that it's the infection itself that causes an autoimmune disease and not the other way round.

14 / 25 Fotos

How it begins - While it's not known exactly what triggers the onset of autoimmune disease, there are three basic components that kick-start a disorder:

15 / 25 Fotos

Genetics - The genetic predisposition of the individual can determine how the disease will manifest itself.

16 / 25 Fotos

Environment - Environmental factors also play an important part in the development of the disease.

17 / 25 Fotos

An imbalance of cells - And it is also important to remember that an imbalance of cells within the immune system can trigger an autoimmune disease.

18 / 25 Fotos

Diagnosis - Diagnosis of autoimmune diseases is made with blood tests that identify autoantibodies.

19 / 25 Fotos

Treatment - Treatment of these diseases is based on reducing immune system activity through the administration of immunosuppressive drugs (for example, corticosteroids).

20 / 25 Fotos

Immunosuppression - However, it is not possible to carry out immunosuppression of undesirable antibodies alone. The patient therefore has to undergo general immunosuppression, leaving them more exposed to infection by other elements of the disease.

21 / 25 Fotos

Allergies - Allergies are not autoimmune disorders and it's important not to confuse the symptoms of an allergy with those of an autoimmune disease.

22 / 25 Fotos

Allergies and autoimmune disease - While studies have identified a link between allergies and the development of an autoimmune disease, the two disorders are completely different.

23 / 25 Fotos

Different treatment -

There is some similarity in treatments for allergies and autoimmune diseases, but the effectiveness of drugs varies. Further, allergies do not attack the body's own tissues.

COVID-19 is here to stay: variant XEC emerges globally

24 / 25 Fotos

0 / 25 Fotos

Autoimmune diseases - An autoimmune disease is a condition arising from an abnormal immune response to a normal body part in which the body attacks and damages its own tissues.

1 / 25 Fotos

2 / 25 Fotos

Population affected by autoimmune disease - According to latest statistics, autoimmune diseases affect approximately 3 to 5% of the world's population.

3 / 25 Fotos