Immune-mediated

Immune-Mediated Diseases

Immune-mediated diseases are a group of disorders that occur when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, tissues, or organs. This can result in a wide range of symptoms and conditions, depending on the specific disease and the part of the body that is affected.

Causes

The exact cause of immune-mediated diseases is not fully understood. However, it is believed that a combination of genetic and environmental factors may trigger the immune system to attack the body's own tissues. Some of these factors may include infections, exposure to certain chemicals or drugs, and physical or emotional stress.

Types of Immune-Mediated Diseases

There are many different types of immune-mediated diseases, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis: This is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.

• Multiple sclerosis: This is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).

• Type 1 diabetes: This is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin.

• Psoriasis: This is a common skin condition that speeds up the life cycle of skin cells. It causes cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of immune-mediated diseases often involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. These tests may include blood tests to check for the presence of certain antibodies, imaging tests to look for signs of inflammation or damage, and sometimes biopsy to examine a small sample of affected tissue.

Treatment

Treatment for immune-mediated diseases typically involves managing symptoms and preventing further damage to the body. This may include medications to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system, physical therapy to improve function and mobility, and lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to improve overall health.

File:Immune system diagram.jpg

Diagram of the human immune system

See Also

• Autoimmune diseases
• Immunodeficiency
• Inflammation

References

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