User:Mr. Ibrahem/Autoimmune disease
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An autoimmune disease is a condition arising from an abnormal immune response to a functioning body part.[1] There are at least 80 types of autoimmune diseases.[1] Nearly any body part can be involved.[3] Common symptoms include low grade fever and feeling tired.[1] Often symptoms come and go.[1]
Autoimmune disease | |
---|---|
Other names | Autoimmune condition |
Young woman with the typical "butterfly rash" found in systemic lupus erythematosus | |
Specialty | Rheumatology, immunology, gastroenterology, neurology, dermatology |
Symptoms | Depends on the condition. Commonly low grade fever, feeling tired[1] |
Usual onset | Adulthood[1] |
Types | List of autoimmune diseases (alopecia areata, celiac disease, diabetes mellitus type 1, Graves' disease, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, others)[1] |
Medication | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, intravenous immunoglobulin[1][2] |
Frequency | 24 million / 7% (USA)[1][3] |
The cause is generally unknown.[3] Some autoimmune diseases such as lupus run in families, and certain cases may be triggered by infections or other environmental factors.[1] Some common diseases that are generally considered autoimmune include celiac disease, diabetes mellitus type 1, Graves' disease, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.[1][4] The diagnosis can be difficult to determine.[1]
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the condition.[1] Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and immunosuppressants are often used.[1] Intravenous immunoglobulin may also occasionally be used.[2] While treatment usually improves symptoms, they do not typically cure the disease.[1]
About 24 million (7%) people in the United States are affected by an autoimmune disease.[1][3] Women are more commonly affected than men.[1] Often they start during adulthood.[1] The first autoimmune diseases were described in the early 1900s.[5]