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Our Expert on Men's Health
Q: What is an auto-immune disease?Ask Our Expert About Auto-immune Diseases
Q: What is an auto-immune disease?A: An autoimmune disease occurs when your immune system mistakes healthy cells for harmful invaders and attacks them. There are more than sixty different auto-immune diseases, affecting different organs and parts of the body. Q: What are some common auto-immune diseases?A:
Q: Do auto-immune diseases run in families?A: Yes, they do. We know there is a genetic component, but that’s only part of the story. Most auto-immune diseases may have a “trigger,” like a viral infection, hormonal imbalance or environmental factor that sets off the auto-immune reaction. In people with a genetic weakness, the immune system continues to send out antibodies which attack healthy cells after the harmful invaders have been destroyed. Q: Are certain people or groups more at risk?A: Auto-immune disorders are much more common in women, but we don’t know why. Some disorders occur more frequently in certain groups. Lupus, for example, is more common in African Americans than in Caucasians. Age doesn’t seem to play a part. Teens can get thyroid disease, and young children can have rheumatoid arthritis. Q: If you have one auto-immune disease, are you more at risk for having another?A: Yes, you are. Some diseases tend to pair up. For instance, people with Lupus often have Sjögren’s Syndrome, which causes dry mouth and eyes. Q: Can auto-immune disorders be prevented?A: Not really. We don’t completely understand the relationship between genetics and the factors that trigger the onset of the diseases. So, it is impossible to say how to prevent them. These disorders are complex and varied. Scientists are researching the causes, and we hope to learn more in the future. Q: What are the symptoms?A: While all auto-immune diseases are caused by mistaken attacks on cells by your immune system, the symptoms vary according to which cells and organs are attacked. If you are having any unusual symptoms, see your doctor. Some disorders, like thyroid disease or rheumatoid arthritis, are easier to diagnose than a disorder like Lupus, which affects several organs. Symptoms of auto-immune diseases may disappear or decrease for a while, and flare up again. Q: How are these diseases treated?A: We hope someday to be able to treat the cause of auto-immune disease, rather than just the symptoms. While there is no cure for these chronic conditions, the good news is that these diseases can be controlled and managed. We use medications to reduce inflammation and keep the immune system in check. In the past ten years there have been major advances in the development of new drugs which block abnormal proteins in the immune system that cause inflammation. Without treatment, the symptoms can get progressively worse. Q: Is there anything I can do to control the disease?A: People with auto-immune disorders can benefit from avoiding stress and fatigue, which may cause flare-ups. Going to a support group helps some people learn to cope with symptoms of their specific illness. If you have aches and pains, a chronic pain management program may also be beneficial. Want to be connected with resources that can help you? To find a doctor or learn more about stress reduction classes, support groups and our pain management program, call 610-402-CARE. This page last updated 10/15/08 02:10 PM
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