Autoimmune diseases

Introduction: Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases: The word "auto" is the Greek word for self. The immune system is a complicated network of cells and cell components (called molecules) that ... more about Autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases: A group of disorders in which the primary cause is the an inflammatory reaction caused by the body's own immune system attacking tissues. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Autoimmune diseases is available below.

Symptoms of Autoimmune diseases

• Fever
• Cough
• CNS signs
• Haemoptysis
• Cough

See full list of 9 symptoms of Autoimmune diseases

Medical Textbooks Online about Autoimmune diseases

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Wrongly Diagnosed with Autoimmune diseases?

• Misdiagnosis of Autoimmune diseases
• Failure to diagnose Autoimmune diseases
• Underlying causes of Autoimmune diseases (possibly wrongly diagnosed)
• Failure to diagnose Autoimmune diseases

Misdiagnosis and Autoimmune diseases

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Read more about Misdiagnosis and Autoimmune diseases

Causes of Autoimmune diseases

Read more about causes of Autoimmune diseases.

More information about causes of Autoimmune diseases:

• Medications, drugs, or substances causing Autoimmune diseases (6 listings)
• Autoimmune diseases as a complication caused by other conditions
• Autoimmune diseases as a symptom
• Medical news summaries relating to Causes of Autoimmune diseases

Treatments for Autoimmune diseases

• Treatments vary for specific diseases but may include
• Hormone replacement therapy - for autoimmune diseases damaging hormone glands.
• Enzyme replacement therapy - for autoimmune diseases damaging enzyme-producing glands.
• Corticosteroids
  • Prednisone

See full list of 13 treatments for Autoimmune diseases

Videos for Autoimmune diseases

Patient Surveys for Autoimmune diseases

• Patient Profile Survey
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• Survey about the symptoms of your Autoimmune diseases
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Prognosis for Autoimmune diseases

Prognosis for Autoimmune diseases: Although autoimmune diseases are chronic, the course they take is unpredictable. A doctor cannot foresee what will happen to the patient based on how the disease starts. Patients should be monitored closely by their doctors so environmental factors or triggers that may worsen the disease can be discussed and avoided and new medical therapy can be started as soon as possible. Frequent visits to a doctor are important in order for the physician to manage complex treatment regimens and watch for medication side effects. (Source: excerpt from Understanding Autoimmune Disease: NIAID)

More about prognosis of Autoimmune diseases

Reseach about Autoimmune diseases

Visit our research pages for current research about Autoimmune diseases treatments.

Clinical Trials for Autoimmune diseases

The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.

Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Autoimmune diseases include:

• A Pilot Study of Mitoxantrone for the Treatment of Recurrent Neuromyelitis Optica (Devics Disease) - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Mitoxantrone
• Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis With Copaxone and Albuterol - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Glatiramer acetate,Albuterol
• Study of Silicone-Associated Connective Tissue Diseases - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Safety and Efficacy Study of LJP 394 (Abetimus Sodium) to Treat Lupus Kidney Disease - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Abetimus sodium (LJP 394)
• Study and Treatment of Inflammatory Muscle Diseases - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)

See full list of 878 Clinical Trials for Autoimmune diseases

Statistics for Autoimmune diseases

• Medical statistics for Autoimmune diseases
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Autoimmune diseases
• Death and Mortality statistics for Autoimmune diseases
• Society statistics for Autoimmune diseases

Types of Autoimmune diseases

• Possibly Autoimmune Diseases
• Type 1 diabetes
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Autoimmune thyroid diseases
• Graves Disease

See full list of 63 Types of Autoimmune diseases

Medical Guidebooks and Ebooks for Autoimmune diseases

• Icon Health Sourcebook for Autoimmune diseases

See all guides and ebooks for Autoimmune diseases

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User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Autoimmune diseases, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

• I can not get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for this?
• See all the forums.

Article Excerpts about Autoimmune diseases

Understanding Autoimmune Disease: NIAID (Excerpt)

The word "auto" is the Greek word for self. The immune system is a complicated network of cells and cell components (called molecules) that normally work to defend the body and eliminate infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and other invading microbes. If a person has an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks self, targeting the cells, tissues, and organs of a person's own body. A collection of immune system cells and molecules at a target site is broadly referred to as inflammation. (Source: excerpt from Understanding Autoimmune Disease: NIAID)

Autoimmune Diseases: NWHIC (Excerpt)

The term "autoimmune disease" refers to a varied group of more than 80 serious, chronic illnesses that involve almost every human organ system. In all of these diseases, the underlying problem is similar--the body's immune system becomes misdirected, attacking the very organs it was designed to protect. About 75% of autoimmune diseases occur in women, most frequently during the childbearing years. Autoimmune diseases can affect connective tissue. (This is the tissue which binds together various tissues and organs.) It can also affect the nerves, muscles, endocrine system, and gastrointestinal system. (Source: excerpt from Autoimmune Diseases: NWHIC)

Fact Sheet Autoimmune Disease in Women: NWHIC (Excerpt)

The term "autoimmune disease" refers to a varied group of more than 80 serious, chronic illnesses that involve almost every human organ system. It includes diseases of the nervous, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems, as well as skin and other connective tissues, eyes, blood, and blood vessels. In all of these diseases, the underlying problem is similar--the body's immune system becomes misdirected, attacking the very organs it was designed to protect. (Source: excerpt from Fact Sheet Autoimmune Disease in Women: NWHIC)

Wiki article about Autoimmune diseases

See full article about Autoimmune diseases

Definitions of Autoimmune diseases:

Autoimmune Status; the state of a person's health in regard to autoimmune disease or antibody presence. - (Source - Diseases Database)

Any of a large group of diseases characterized by abnormal functioning of the immune system that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against your own tissues - (Source - WordNet 2.1)