The human body's immune system usually protects ones from
infections and diseases.
However, autoimmune diseases occur when the body's
immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells affecting one or
more parts of the body. There are more than eighty autoimmune diseases; the
following are the few among them.
10. Lupus Nephritis
Lupus nephritis is a kidney disease caused by systemic lupus
erythematosus. Lupus is a disorder whereby the immune system of the body
attacks its cells and organs. Consequently, the glomeruli (functional
cells) get inflamed and may with time lead to kidney failure, which
requires dialysis or a kidney transplant as treatment.
9. Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata, which is also called spot baldness, is a disorder in
which body hair dies off in patches or across the whole body. It is an
autoimmune disease that causes permanent bald spots that with time,
depending on the mental ability of the affected individual, can lead to
psychological stress.
8. Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a chronic skin disease that presents with some skin
patches losing pigment. The affected parts turned white, and sharp edges
characterize the spots. The occurrence is mostly initiated by
environment elements, and make-up can be used to reduce the
psychological effects.
7. Addison's Disease
Addison’s disease, also referred as hypocortisolism and primary
adrenal insufficiency, is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the
adrenal glands produce fewer steroid hormones. The condition occurs when
adrenal glands have problems leading to less production of their
hormones: aldosterone and cortisol.
6. Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a inflammatory bowel disease that affects any
section of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The condition is caused by a
mixture of immune, bacterial, and environmental factors in those people
who are genetically predisposed. The immune system of the body attacks
the wall of the GIT, perhaps intending to kill micro-bacteria antigens.
5. Evans Syndrome
Evans syndrome is a type of autoimmune disease whereby the body’s
antibodies fight against platelets and red blood cells. The condition
progresses pathologically like the co-occurrence of autoimmune blood
disorders: thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic anemia. Autoimmune
hemolytic anemia is a disorder whereby the red blood cells are eaten up
by the body’s activated immune system, while in immune thrombocytopenic
purpura, the autoimmune action destroys the platelets.
4. Juveline Arthritis
Juvenile Arthritis is an autoimmune condition with no known cause,
and it is mostly stated juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The results
of JIA is the inflammation of the joints with less effects on cartilage
and stability of the joint without rheumatoid characteristics. The
differentiating symptoms from other diseases are prolonged swelling of
the joints affected, which are mostly ankle and wrist.
3. Progressive Inflammatory Neuropathy
Progressive inflammatory neuropathy is an autoimmune disease which
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published in its report
of January 31, 2008. It was first reported in the United States among
workers working in pig slaughterhouses. The disease presents with pain,
sudden paralysis, fatigue, weakness, and numbness, particularly in
extremities.
2. Stiff Person Syndrome
Stiff person syndrome is a neurological condition that presents with
worsening body stiffness and rigidity. The truncal muscles are mostly
affected by stiffness, accompanied by spasms which lead to abnormal
positioning. The primary disorder characteristics occur along with
lumbar hyperlordosis and inability to move. The cause is not known, but
body antibodies called GAD is thought to play a role.
1. Kawasaki's Disease
Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is
a disorder whereby the blood vessels get inflamed. The primary symptom
is a fever that persists for at least five days and cannot be lower by
medications, accompanied with red eyes and swollen neck lymph nodes.
There is no known cause; however, it is postulated to be the results of
autoimmune response activated by infection.
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