wtorek, 19 grudnia 2017

Facts Regarding Auto Immune Diseases

By Virginia Schmidt


The human body has some of the most complicated systems. To fully understand how a particular system works most medical experts decide to specialize in certain areas. Part of specialization requires that a medical expert understands the diseases and conditions most likely to affect the part they deal with. Sometimes the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy parts resulting in what is referred to as auto immune diseases.

A properly functioning body is usually able to tell the difference between foreign cells or organisms and body cells. Knowing the difference, they only attack the foreign matter. When one is suffering from autoimmune disease, their body mistakes joints, skin and other parts of the body for foreign organisms/substances and attacks them. This is achieved through the release of antibodies to attack the healthy cells.

Some types of these diseases attack the entire body while some target specific organs. For instance Lupus affects the entire body while Type 1 Diabetes specifically targets the pancreas. The cause of these illnesses is not known although they tend to run in families. It is also speculated that exposure to certain chemicals, infections, and diets might trigger or contribute to the condition.

Research also indicates that women are more susceptible to these illnesses than men. Most patients of these conditions are females in their childbearing age. It is as this stage that the diseases attack most. The issue of race also comes into play with some races getting affected more than others. Where a disease runs in a family does not necessarily mean that every member will get affected. What it means is that they have higher infection chances.

A diet that contains high levels of fat and sugar is speculated to be a major contributor. Another causative factor is processed foods since they cause inflammation. Many scientific explanations have been put forward to explain the cause of these diseases. The hygiene hypothesis is one of the theories put forward.

What the hygiene theory proses is fascinating. It suggests that steps made in the field of medicine which saw introduction of many antiseptic and vaccines could be blamed for these diseases. The theory speculates that preventative techniques currently adopted exposes children to little germs. The little exposure becomes the source of the problem. This is because it raises the sensitivity level of immune system making it attack the body instead of foreign substances.

So far over 80 different instances of the body attacking itself have been recorded. The number translates to known autoimmune diseases as each instance is different from the other. The commonest illnesses of this type include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, and vasculitis among several others. The symptoms of these diseases are almost similar.

One should pay attention to muscle aches, swelling, and fatigue among other recurrent symptoms. They may be a cause. One should get help early to avoid excessive suffering. Better management methods have been developed over time. Prevention is the best approach, and it should be comprised of eating a balanced and healthy diet and regular exercising. However, it is also important to know that there is no cure for these diseases.




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