Autoimmune disease

Description

Conditions or diseases caused by the overactive immune system that attacks tissue and organs of the body itself. Most common examples include celiac disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren’s syndrome, multiple sclerosis (MS), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Symptoms

Tiredness, joint pain, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, chest pain, headache, rash, weakness, numbness.

Overview

History of disease is being taken and physical examination is being done. Serological tests, radiologic imaging and occasionally biopsy are necessary for determining specific disorder.

Tests

Complete blood count (CBC), biochemical blood analysis, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), analysis of urine and X-rays.

Additional analyses

Serological tests

Specialists

General Practice, Internal Medicine, Rheumatology

Therapy

Depends on specific condition. Medicines are used, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen/broken, naproxen) analgesics (paracetamol) and other stronger anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids (prednisone), methotrexate, etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade), as well as adalimumab (Humira).