Systemic autoimmune disease

Systemic autoimmune diseases are a group of diseases characterized by the body's immune system mistakenly attacking its own cells, tissues, and organs. These diseases can affect multiple systems in the body, hence the term "systemic".

Overview

In a healthy body, the immune system is responsible for protecting the body from harmful substances such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. It does this by producing antibodies that specifically target these harmful substances. However, in systemic autoimmune diseases, the immune system fails to distinguish between harmful substances and the body's own cells. As a result, it produces autoantibodies that attack the body's cells, tissues, and organs.

Types of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases

There are several types of systemic autoimmune diseases, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis: This disease primarily affects the joints, causing inflammation, pain, and eventual damage.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus: This disease can affect many parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain.
• Sjögren's syndrome: This disease primarily affects the glands that produce tears and saliva, but it can also affect other parts of the body.
• Scleroderma: This disease leads to the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues.
• Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis: These diseases cause inflammation and weakness in the muscles.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact causes of systemic autoimmune diseases are unknown. However, they are believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Certain factors may increase the risk of developing these diseases, including:

• Gender: Women are more likely than men to develop systemic autoimmune diseases.
• Age: While these diseases can occur at any age, they are more common in people between the ages of 15 and 45.
• Family history: People with a family history of autoimmune diseases are at a higher risk of developing these diseases.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of systemic autoimmune diseases can be challenging due to the wide range of symptoms and the fact that symptoms can come and go. Doctors typically use a combination of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests to diagnose these diseases.

Treatment for systemic autoimmune diseases typically involves managing symptoms and preventing damage to the body's organs and tissues. This can involve medications to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system, as well as lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and a healthy diet.