Autoimmune diseases are diseases that are common in society. These diseases can affect only a certain part of the body, or they can have a systemic effect that affects many organs. result arises. One of the most frequently asked questions about these diseases is 'What is autoimmune?'.
Autoimmune means that the body creates an immune response against itself. Under normal conditions, the immune system undertakes the task of recognizing and destroying harmful microorganisms that enter the body from the outside. There are various mechanisms that enable the immune system to differentiate between foreign cells and body cells. Irregularity and disorder in these mechanisms; causes the immune system to perceive body cells as foreign. As a result, antibodies formed in the immune system damage body cells. Damage occurs in organs with damaged cell types. In some autoimmune diseases, only one organ can be damaged, while in some diseases, multi-organ involvement can be seen.
More than 80 autoimmune diseases have been defined. 14 different autoimmune diseases frequently encountered in the community can be listed as follows:
Type I Diabetes The pancreas is responsible for the secretion of insulin, an important hormone that regulates blood sugar. In type I diabetes, the immune system attacks the insulin-secreting cells of the pancreas and causes these cells to fail to function. As a result, blood sugar levels remain constantly high. Inability to control blood sugar; It causes damage to many organs and structures such as the heart, kidneys, eyes, blood vessels and nerves.
Rheumatoid Arthritis In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the joints. As a result of this attack, signs of inflammation such as redness, swelling, temperature increase, and limitation of movement occur in the joint. Unlike osteoarthritis seen in the advanced age group, rheumatoid arthritis occurs around the age of 30.
Psoriasis Under normal conditions, skin cells proliferate and develop at a certain rate, When they fall, they shed and leave their place to the cells. In psoriasis, there is an overgrowth of skin cells. The rapidly proliferating and accumulating skin cells become inflamed, causing the formation of red lesions and gray-white plaques on the skin. In 30% of psoriasis patients, the so-called psoriatic arthritis; A discomfort characterized by redness, pain, swelling in the joint is observed.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)Multiple Sclerosis occurs as a result of damage to the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve cells. Disruption of the myelin sheath; It causes slowing of message transmission between the brain and spinal cord and other parts of the body. As a result, in patients; Various problems such as numbness, weakness, balance problems, and difficulty in walking are seen.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)Although lupus was defined as a disease that only causes rash on the skin in the 1800s, lupus currently affects many different parts of the body. It has been found to be a contagious disease. In addition to the skin, problems caused by lupus can be encountered in many different organs such as the joints, kidney, heart and brain.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS) Inflammatory bowel disease is a disease that develops as a result of inflammation (inflammation) on the inner surface of the intestinal wall. In Crohn's disease, which is a variant of IBS, any digestive system structure from the mouth to the anus can be affected. In another type of ulcerative colitis, the main organ affected is the large intestine. Symptoms such as severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss can be seen in IBS.
Addison's Disease Adrenal glands; It is an endocrine organ that secretes cortisol, aldosterone and androgen hormones. In Addison's disease, the adrenal glands are damaged and cannot produce the hormones they need to secrete. Decreased cortisol levels change the body's balance of storing and using carbohydrates. A decrease in aldosterone causes a loss of sodium in the body and an excessive increase in blood potassium levels.
Graves' Disease In Graves' disease, the thyroid gland is damaged. As a result of this damage to the thyroid gland, thyroid hormone is produced in excess and a picture called hyperthyroidism occurs. Excess thyroid hormone; increase in heart rate� � causes various symptoms such as weight loss, heat intolerance (not being able to come to heat).
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis In Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid hormone production decreases. The picture known as hypothyroidism occurs. Deficiency of thyroid hormones; causes effects such as weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, cold intolerance and enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Sjögren's Syndrome In Sjögren's syndrome, damage occurs in the glands that keep the mouth and eyes moist and slippery. As a result of this condition, dryness in the mouth and eyes is observed.
Myasthenia Gravis In myasthenia gravis, the stimuli from the brain to the muscles for contraction are impaired. Disruption of the transmission between muscle and nerve causes problems in muscle contraction. One of the most common symptoms in this disease is muscle weakness, which increases with movement and is relieved by rest.
Autoimmune Vasculitis Autoimmune vasculitis develops as a result of the immune system attacking blood vessels. As a result of the attack, blood vessels narrow and less blood flow occurs through them. In pernicious anemia, the production of intrinsic factor is impaired and therefore adequate amounts of vitamin B12 are not absorbed from the gut. Vitamin B12 deficiency also leads to anemia.
Celiac DiseaseGluten; It is a protein found in grain products such as rye and wheat. In celiac disease; In the case of gluten in the small intestine, the immune system attacks the relevant intestinal part and causes inflammation in that area. For this reason, celiac patients should avoid consuming foods containing gluten.
Why Autoimmune Diseases Occur?
Scientists still have not been fully elucidated why autoimmune diseases develop. However, it is thought that excessive activation of the immune system as a result of an injury or infection may lay the groundwork for autoimmune disorders. In addition, in some cases, an increased risk for certain autoimmune diseases has been identified. These risk factors are:
Genetics: Autoimmune diseases such as Lupus and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) cluster within families. of the person Having a close relative with these diseases increases the risk of contracting the disease.
Weight: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. The reason for this situation; weight increases the pressure on the joint, leading to an increase in the immune system response. Considering all these, it can be said that there is a relationship between autoimmune diseases and nutrition.
Smoking: Smoking; It increases the risk in terms of autoimmune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), lupus, hyperthyroidism and rheumatoid arthritis.
Drugs: The use of certain drugs may also increase the risk of autoimmune diseases.
How is the Diagnosis and Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases?
There are many autoimmune diseases. Different diagnostic methods are used for each disease. If the patient's signs and symptoms indicate an autoimmune disease, the diagnosis is confirmed by performing additional tests related to the related disease.
Autoimmune diseases cannot be completely cured. The main purpose of treatment is to control the excessive response of the immune system and to reduce the severity of the symptoms. For this purpose, immunosuppressive drugs may be preferred in the treatment.
In cases such as organ damage and loss of function due to the disease, treatment methods that can compensate for these conditions can be applied. As a result, the treatments for different autoimmune diseases are also different from each other. For example, insulin therapy is used in the treatment of Type I diabetes, while drugs that regulate thyroid hormones are used in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Autoimmune diseases take place in a very wide spectrum. Although the development mechanisms of the diseases are similar, the effects on the body are different from each other. Early diagnosis and treatment are of great importance in order to prevent the progression of autoimmune diseases and to reduce the loss of function due to the disease. It is recommended that those who suspect an autoimmune disease apply to a well-equipped health center and have their check-ups done.
You can ask the questions you are wondering about autoimmune diseases to the expert team of Group Florence Nightingale Hospitals and ask for suggestions regarding your question. You can use the contact form on our website to reach us.
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