Have you ever heard that our body's own defense system, the 'army' that is supposed to protect us from diseases coming from outside, sometimes goes astray and starts attacking our own good cells? That's what we simply call an autoimmune disease. Although this is a somewhat complex topic, today we will talk about it very simply, in a way that you can understand.
What exactly is this autoimmune disease?
Think about it, our body is like a country. There is a skilled army to protect this country. This army is our immune system . The main function of this army is to identify foreign enemies, that is, germs like viruses and bacteria, fight against them and protect us from diseases. The special weapons they use for this fight are called antibodies .
However, when someone has an autoimmune disease, their immune system goes haywire. It's like the military mistaking their own citizens for enemies. Because of this mishap, the immune system starts producing antibodies (called autoantibodies ) that attack our own healthy cells, tissues, and organs.
Simply put, an autoimmune disease is a condition in which our body's own protector becomes our own enemy.
Doctors have now identified more than 100 types of autoimmune diseases. Some of these affect only one organ, while others can affect the entire body.
What are the most common autoimmune diseases?
Although there are many types of these diseases, there are a few that are commonly heard of and seen in our country. Let's take a look at them.
| Disease Name | A brief description |
|---|---|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) | In this condition, the immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints, causing swelling, severe pain, and eventually permanent joint damage. |
| Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - SLE) | Lupus can attack tissues anywhere in the body. It most commonly affects the joints, lungs, blood cells, nerves, and kidneys. |
| Type 1 Diabetes | This attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, preventing the body from producing insulin. |
| Skin diseases (Psoriasis) | In this case, the immune system signals skin cells to divide rapidly, causing silvery, scaly patches to form on the skin. |
| Multiple Sclerosis (MS) | The immune system attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing symptoms such as pain, blurred vision, numbness, and muscle twitching. |
| Thyroid diseases (Hashimoto's / Graves' Disease) | In this condition, antibodies attack the thyroid gland. Sometimes hormone production can decrease (hypothyroidism) or increase (hyperthyroidism). |
Why is this happening? What are the reasons?
In fact, scientists still don't know exactly what causes autoimmune disease, but there are several factors that are thought to contribute to it.
- Genetics: Some autoimmune diseases can be passed down from generation to generation. If someone in your family has the disease, you are at a higher risk of developing it. However, having the genes does not mean you will develop the disease.
- Infections: It is believed that after certain viral or bacterial infections, the immune system becomes dysfunctional and this type of disease can begin.
- Environmental factors: Things like smoking and exposure to various toxic chemicals can also affect this.
- Certain medications: Although rare, some medications can interfere with the immune system. Always talk to your doctor about the medications you are taking.
Also, autoimmune diseases are more common in women than men. Obesity is another risk factor.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of autoimmune diseases are very diverse. They vary depending on the organ affected and the type of disease. However, most autoimmune diseases have several common features.
- Joint pain and swelling
- Fatigue
- Frequent nightmares
- Skin rashes
- Stomach pain or digestive problems
- Swollen glands
- Feeling generally unwell
These symptoms come and go. There may be periods of flare-ups and periods of remission.
How does a doctor detect this?
Diagnosing an autoimmune disease can sometimes be a bit difficult and time-consuming, as the symptoms are similar to those of other common diseases.
When you go to see your doctor, he will first ask you a detailed question about your symptoms, family medical history, etc. Then, he will recommend several tests to confirm the diagnosis.
- Blood Tests: This is the main method. These include the Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) test, which checks for autoantibodies in the blood that attack the body's own cells, ESR and CRP tests, which check for inflammation in the blood, and a complete blood count (CBC).
- Imaging Tests: Tests such as X-rays, ultrasound scans, and MRI scans can help detect damage to internal organs or joints.
The doctor will arrive at an accurate diagnosis by combining the results of these tests and your symptoms.
How is it treated?
There is no cure for autoimmune diseases yet . But don't worry. There are many effective treatments available today that can help control these diseases, reduce symptoms, and help you live a normal life.
There are two main goals of treatment:
1. Controlling an overactive immune system: For this, your doctor may prescribe medications like steroids and other specific medications that reduce the activity of the immune system (immune-suppressing drugs).
2. Symptom management: Treatment is based on symptoms, such as painkillers for pain, ointments for skin problems, insulin injections for insulin deficiency, and hormone pills for thyroid hormone deficiency.
In addition to medication, making lifestyle changes is also very important.
- Eating a balanced diet
- Engaging in exercises that suit you
- Getting enough sleep and rest
- Managing stress
All of this will go a long way in helping you manage your condition. The most important thing is to stay in touch with your doctor and follow his or her instructions exactly.
Take-Home Message
- An autoimmune disease is when your own immune system mistakenly attacks healthy parts of your body.
- There are more than 100 types of these diseases, with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, type 1 diabetes, and psoriasis being the most common.
- Although the exact cause has not been found, genetics, infections, and environmental factors may play a role.
- Diagnosis can take time and requires blood tests and other tests.
- Although these diseases cannot be completely cured, they can be managed very successfully with medication and lifestyle changes.
- If you have any doubts or symptoms about this, be sure to consult your doctor for advice.
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