Systemic lupus erthyematosus is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when an individual's body and organs are attacked by his own immune system. An individual with lupus can have flare-ups as well as periods when the disease is in remission. More...
According to the American Academy of Rheumatology, antinuclear (ANA) bodies refer to proteins that form in your body and attack the normal proteins in your cells. A blood test called a fluorescent antinuclear antibody test (FANA) is available to...
Antibodies are protein compounds made and secreted by white blood cells that recognize and attack viruses, bacteria and other foreign substances in the body. They are also called immunoglobulins and are found in the blood, spinal fluid and other...
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. There is no cure. While this is a lifelong condition, patients do experience periods of remission, when there aren't any symptoms, as well as flare-ups, in which symptoms return....
Systemic lupus erythmatosus is a condition in which the immune system attacks the organs and connective tissues. While any organ system may be affected, the skin, heart, kidneys and brain are the most common targets of the disease. Symptoms are...
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, also known as JRA, is a chronic disease and is also the most common type of arthritis in children. There are 250,000 children under sixteen suffering with this disease. Children are often diagnosed with this disease...
According the Arthritis Foundation, approximately 300,000 children have some form of juvenile arthritis. Juvenile arthritis, commonly referred to as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA), encompasses any form of...
Skin rashes are relatively common and can occur due to skin disorders, allergic reactions or exposure to chemicals and rough fabrics. If a skin rash does not go away with over-the-counter treatment methods, it should be evaluated by a physician to...
One of the many factors involved in a woman's ability to become pregnant as well as to maintain a pregnancy is a healthy and properly functioning immune system. The Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) test is given to help doctors identify problems with...
Vitiligo, or leukoderma, is a medical condition that affects the pigmentation in the skin and mucous membranes. Cells that create skin color are destroyed, causing white patches to appear. This disease can affect any part of the body, including...
Scleroderma is a group of diseases that cause a hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. Scleroderma affects about 250 people per million, according to MayoClinic.com. Localized scleroderma affects only the skin, but systemic...
The presence of pain and stiffness in your joints can make it difficult for you to perform simple tasks such as bending or reaching. Persistent joint pain and stiffness can even interfere with your daily life and your job. If you are experiencing...
You may experience numbness and tingling in your hands and arms from time to time, due to a temporary injury or when circulation is briefly interrupted, leading to a "pins and needles" feeling. However, if you experience a tingling that persists,...
Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a chronic disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. MS destroys a substance called myelin, which surrounds nerve fibers and is necessary for transmission of nerve impulses. Many other diseases and disorders...
Lupus is a complex autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks various organs and systems of the body. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, about 75 percent of people with lupus develop symptoms involving the skin. For...
Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood. Gout patients complain of a sudden onset of redness, swelling and warmth in one joint-- usually the toe, ankle or knee. Attacks usually subside after three to 10...
