General Information about Autoimmune Disorders

What is Autoimmune Disorder?

Autoimmune disorders occur when the body mistakenly attacks itself.  The immune system normally produces white blood cells to protect the body from antigens such as bacteria, virus, and a variety of toxins that may harm the body.  When the immune system cannot distinguish between healthy body tissue and antigens it can produce an unwanted response and attack itself.

The main cause of the condition is not known, but it has been attributed to drugs and other microorganisms. There are over 80 diseases that are known or suspected to be autoimmune disorders.  In addition to destroying body tissues, autoimmune disorders cause abnormal growth of body organs and changes in their functioning.

There is no known cure for autoimmune disease, although there are medicines designed to reduce the abnormal functioning of the immune system (conventional/western medicine and therapies).

Common Autoimmune Disorders

Of the 80+ Autoimmune Disorders, the most common ones are:

  • Addison’s disease
  • Celiac disease – sprue (gluten sensitive enteropathy)
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Grave’s disease
  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Narcolepsy
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Sjogren syndrome
  • Type I diabetes
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Reactive arthritis
  • Ulcerative colitis

Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Disorders

Symptoms of Autoimmune Disorders can include:

  • Chronic Headaches
  • Anxiety
  • Brain Fog
  • Attention deficit problems
  • Body rashes, red bumps on facial skin and red flaking skin
  • Acne
  • Rosacea
  • Eczema
  • Psoriasis
  • Dermatitis
  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Dry mouth
  • Frequent colds Hashimoto’s Disease (underactive thyroid) or Grave’s Disease (overactive thyroid)
  • Fatigue or hyperactivity
  • Weight gain or loss
  • General feeling of malaise
  • Anxiety
  • Muscle pain and weakness
  • Stiffness and pain (could suggest Rheumatoid Arthritis or Fibromyalgia symptoms)
  • Feeling “wired and tired”
  • Exhaustion
  • Digestive tract upset may indicate Irritable Bowel Disease
  • Stomach cramping
  • Gas
  • Bloated stomach
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation

Source for the content on this page: Web MD