Autoimmune diseases – types, causes, diagnosis, treatment. What are they characterized by? WE EXPLAIN

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Autoimmune diseases are a problem for more and more people. Unfortunately, their cause is still not fully understood. They are closely related to the work of the immune system. It is responsible for protecting the body against the influence of external factors. Autoimmune diseases develop when the immune system recognizes its cells as foreign and starts destroying them. Check what else is worth knowing about autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases – the immune system

The immune system is a complex set of the body’s defenses. The elements of this system include skin, mucous membranes, secretions such as lysozymes, cytokines, or specific immunity in the form of B lymphocytes and antibodies. The mechanism by which the immune system works is very complex. Its task is to fight the causes of infection and inflammation in the body caused by bacteria and viruses.

At the same time the immune system has developed tolerance to its own antigens, i.e. substances that are on the surfaces or inside the cells. They are very characteristic of each species and organism.

Inflammation does not develop until the immune system, or T lymphocytes, correctly recognizes the foreign antigen, the marker. Therefore, the ability to recognize your markers from these aliens is of great importance for the proper functioning of the immune system.

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Autoimmune diseases – autoimmunity

The development of autoimmune diseases occurs when the above-described process is disturbed. It is a process of autoimmunity, which is the reaction of the immune system to its own antigens, i.e. cells. This does not mean an immediately developing disease process. It still is, however the basis of autoimmune diseases.

Currently, it is estimated that these diseases concern about 3,5 percent of people. population. These include diabetes, pernicious anemia, multiple sclerosis, and vitiligo.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that women suffer from autoimmune diseases much more often. These diseases affect women 2-3 times more often than men. Unfortunately, it is accurate the cause of autoimmune diseases is not known. However, it is much easier to point risk factors for the development of autoimmunity.

Autoimmune diseases – characteristics

Autoimmune diseases are broadly classified into two groups:

1. organ-specific autoimmune diseases – the disease affects one organ;
2. autoimmune diseases, non-organ specific – the disease affects more than one system and organ.

Currently, there are around 80 autoimmune diseases that produce different symptoms of varying severity. The symptoms may be barely noticeable, but they can also cause severe disability. However, it all depends on which system is affected and how advanced the disease is.

Currently not an effective drug for autoimmune diseasestreatment is therefore currently limited to relieving symptoms and controlling the disease.

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Autoimmune diseases – risk factors

The risk factors for the development of autoimmune diseases include:

1. genetic factors – it happens that members of some families develop autoimmune diseases much more often than others. This phenomenon has been explained scientifically. It was possible to confirm that there is a relationship between major histocompatibility complex (MCH) molecules and the emergence of specific diseases;
2. infectious agents of autoimmune diseases – many autoimmune diseases are associated with various infectious agents. This is explained by the theory of molecular mimicry, which is related to the similarity of some antigens, e.g. virus or bacteria, and humans. In practice, this means that antibodies created during the fight against infection can start attacking the tissues of the human body. The so-called cross-reaction. This phenomenon concerns, inter alia, rheumatic fever and Streptococcus infections, or arthritis in the course of Lyme disease and Borrelia burgdoferi infection;
3. age – autoimmune diseases much more often affect the elderly, which may be related to disorders of the immune system. On the other hand, diseases appear much less frequently in children;
4. sex – autoimmune diseases are much more common in women than in men. The incidence of certain diseases can be up to 10 times higher in women than in men, as in the case of systemic lupus erythematosus. On the other hand, ankylosing arthritis occurs almost exclusively in men, which may indicate the relationship of autoimmune diseases with neuroendocrine factors;
5. leki – also some drugs can cause the development of autoimmune diseases. It is not known how this mechanism works, but the development of antibodies has been observed, for example, in people taking procainamide during the treatment of heart disorders. Other drugs that may be a risk factor for the development of autoimmune diseases include penicillamine, isoniazid, methyldopa, hydralazine, and diltiazem;
6. immunodeficiencies – unfortunately, immunodeficiencies can also lead to the development of autoimmunity. In the case of systemic lupus erythematosus, people with deficiencies of proteins such as C2, C4, C5, C8, also known as the complement system, are at high risk of developing the disease. It is responsible for removing immune complexes. If proteins are missing, these complexes start to build up in the body.

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Autoimmune diseases – treatment

Therapy of autoimmune diseases should be aimed at restoring the immune tolerance of own antigens. This is hampered by the fact that autoimmunity tends to target a group of antigens rather than one specific antigen.

Anti-inflammatory drugs such as NSAIDs, glucocorticosteroids and cytotoxic drugs are also frequently administered during treatment to eliminate certain lymphocytes.

Currently, high hopes are associated with biological medicines. These drugs contain biologically created molecules that naturally occur in the human body and can naturally regulate the processes responsible for our immunity.

Treatment of autoimmune diseases is aimed at:

1. anti-inflammatory drugs – reduce inflammation and relieve pain;
2. corticosteroids – reducing inflammation, treating acute symptoms during relapses;
3. painkillers – pain relief (paracetamol, ibuprofen);
4. biological drugs – restoration of the immune system;
5. immunosuppressants – limiting the activity of the immune system;
6. physiotherapy – increasing mobility and mobility in the case of autoimmune diseases affecting the locomotor system, such as rheumatoid arthritis;
7. treatment of deficiencies – e.g. insulin in the case of people with diabetes;
8. immunomodulation – stimulating the immune system, e.g. with natural ingredients;
9. surgical treatment – used to remove changes caused by the disease, e.g. during Crohn’s disease.

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Autoimmune diseases – diagnosis

The diagnosis of autoimmune diseases mainly uses the ability to detect antinuclear antibodies (ANA test) and antibodies specific to a specific disease. In some diseases, peripheral blood count aberrations, changes in blood CRP levels, and accelerated red cell sedimentation can be noted.

This ANA test checks for the presence of ANA markers, which are a group of autoantibodies that target different structures of the cell nucleus. Is it autoimmunity process marker. These markers can be found in about 85-97 percent. people with systemic scleroderma. They have low specificity and react mainly with nucleolus antigens.

ANA tests usually run in two stages. The first step is to perform qualitative tests that allow you to find out the presence of antibodies. The type of antibodies, if any, is then determined.

In addition, for diagnostic purposes, the following are also performed:

1. medical examination;
2. a medical interview is performed;
3. Blood tests;
4. biopsies;
5. imaging tests.

If you notice any disturbing symptoms, you should visit your GP first. On the basis of the interview collected, he or she will order appropriate tests and refer them to an appropriate specialist.

Autoimmune diseases – types

Autoimmune diseases are a very wide group of diseases. These are both very rare and common diseases. Autoimmune diseases include:

1. diabetes;
2. Hashimoto;
3. multiple sclerosis;
4. rheumatoid arthritis;
5. scleroderma;
6. arthritis;
7. lupus erythematosus;
8. scleroderma.

Symptoms can be common, organ-related, but also symptoms can be very specific. The diagnosis of autoimmune diseases is very difficult and requires a lot of research and experience.