More Knowing The Autoimun Disease Symptoms Which Are Frequently Considered

Have you heard or seen an autoimmune sufferer?

Maybe you never thought if the condition experienced by patients today is a lot caused by neglecting the symptoms.

Yes, many people only think the symptoms are just normal, even though the symptoms that come together are indicative of someone suffering from autoimmune. Later many people started looking for information about autoimmune, unfortunately from a less trusted source can have a negative impact on sufferers. Next we provide basic information about autoimmune diseases in the form of questions and answers that often arise in the community about diseases. May be useful.

What is autoimmune?

Autoimmune is a condition of the body where the immune system is actually in charge of fighting infections and diseases failing to carry out their normal functions. As a result the immune system will attack the human body which initially will cause normal disease.

How many types of autoimmune diseases?

There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases with symptoms that vary from one another. But generally autoimmune can be divided into 2 major parts. First, specific organ autoimmune diseases, which only affect one body organ such as thyroid disease, vitiligo. Second, systemic autoimmune diseases that can affect all body organs such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, vasculitis and ankylosing spondylitis.

What causes autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune causes cannot be known with certainty. But one factor that plays a role in autoimmune occurrence is the genetic element. There is another theory that states that the factor that plays a role is the presence of bacterial and viral infections that trigger autoimmunity. Another factor is exposure to certain chemicals.

Can autoimmune diseases affect anyone?

This disease can affect everyone from all ages, from infants to the elderly. But most sufferers are productive adults. 80 percent of autoimmune diseases are about women, so women should be more aware of the symptoms of this disease.

Is this disease dangerous?

Of course. Lack of knowledge about this disease causes the community to consider it harmless. Even though most autoimmune diseases are very slow, they must be remembered, if late diagnosed can cause damage to vital organs such as the kidneys, brain lungs, so that it can cause death.

What is the process of diagnosing autoimmune diseases?

The process of diagnosing autoimmune diseases is a long journey and sometimes costs a lot. Symptoms of autoimmune diseases vary greatly depending on the cause. The symptoms are very unusual and can occur in other diseases. For example chronic joint pain, recurrent fever, skin disorders that do not heal, weight loss, anemia, hair loss, canker sores, muscle weakness and so on.

What autoimmune diseases are often found?

In practice as a rheumatologist, many face autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Autoimmune rheumatism is most commonly found in rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis and scleroderma.

What are the initial symptoms of these diseases?

The initial symptoms of the disease above vary depending on the type of disease. For example the initial symptoms of lupus are chronic joint pain, frequent thrush, hair loss, skin disorders that are difficult to heal, old and pale fever. If you don't get a quick treatment damage to vital organs such as the brain, kidneys, lungs and heart can occur.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects joints throughout the body, especially the hands. The initial symptoms of this disease are pain and stiffness in the fingers which usually occurs in the morning and improves with physical activity. If you do not get treatment for this disease it will attack the joints throughout the body. The bones will experience erosion and permanent damage which will cause twists and defects in the joints. As a result there will be interference in doing daily activities.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a common autoimmune disease in men. The initial symptoms of this disease are low back pain, especially in the morning, and improve after physical activity. If it is not treated slowly the vertebrae will blend together like bamboo (bamboo spine). In this condition the patient's bones become stiff so the patient cannot bend.

Scleroderma is a fairly unique autoimmune disease, characterized by hardening and thickening of the skin. The skin becomes taut and shiny. If it continues it can also occur the formation of scar tissue or fibrosis in organs of the body such as the lungs and kidneys. This will result in the failure of these organs.

Can autoimmune diseases be treated?

In principle there is no medicine that can cure autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases can only be controlled with drugs to achieve remission status (patients are calm with treatment).

The treatment of autoimmune diseases is broadly divided into 2, namely: First, drugs for relieving symptoms such as painkillers or small-dose steroids. Second, drugs that can affect (slow the course of the disease), for example methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil. Unfortunately, most autoimmune patients are late in getting the second type of drug because they only get painkillers. This is because the patient is late for treatment with the Internist Consultant for Rheumatology (Rheumatologist).

Can autoimmune patients get pregnant?

Pregnancy in autoimmune patients is a pregnancy that must be well prepared and includes a risky pregnancy. But in principle pregnancy is not an absolute contraindication to autoimmune diseases. Only in certain circumstances is pregnancy banned in autoimmune patients, especially in autoimmune diseases that attack vital organs such as the lungs of the heart, kidneys and brain. By assisting a rheumatologist, a woman with autoimmune disease can prepare a safe pregnancy.