1. When Your Body Attacks Itself
When a person's body attacks its own cells or organs because it can not identify these as part of the body, he is said to have an autoimmune disorder. Some of these disorders include lupus, arthritis, Graves' disease (thyroid disorder), scleroderma, myasthenia gravis, autoimmune thrombocytopenia purpura and many other disorders. In all of these, there is an abnormal immune response to various stimuli which cause the conditions, and in some of these, the resulting signs and symptoms are the first key to helping doctors to identify these disorders for treatment.
2. Causes and Symptoms
In order to identify these disorders, an understanding of the immune process is needed. The job of the immune system is to defend you body against the attack of various types of infection. In the case of an autoimmune disorder, the immune system does not know the difference between your own cells and those of the invaders. The body then mounts an attack on it's own cells in an attempt to try to destroy them.
3. Some of the Autoimmune Disorders That Involve the Skin
There are many autoimmune disorders but a few can have a direct effect on your skin. With lupus, you will have fever, fatigue, chills and a skin rash that looks like a butterfly, which is the classic lupus sign. Lupus effects the central nervous system, causing seizures, depression and psychosis. Scleroderma is an autoimmune disorder that has symptoms of pain and stiffness in joints and swelling. With this disease, the skin of the affected person has a shiny, tight appearance. Pemphigus vulgaris is a disorder characterized by deep lesions and blisters and on the skin. Thrombocytopenic purpura manifests small red dot-like spots on the skin, unexplained bruises, bleeding from the nose and the gums as well as blood in your stool. Dermatomyositis is a condition that will show a red rash appearing on the area around the eyes and eyelids.
4. Diagnosing the Identity of Autoimmune Issues
There are a few tests that can be used to help diagnose autoimmune diseases, depending on the particular disorder or disease. These involve blood testing, spinal fluid analysis, measurement of muscle function and MRI of the brain. With the help of these tests, the source and location of the damage can be pinpointed so appropriate therapy and medications can be prescribed.
