White blood cells, also called leukocytes, help the body fight infection. Five types of white blood cells -- each with a unique disease-fighting purpose -- exist in varying amounts in the blood. The five types are basophils, eosinophils,...
Lupus and Celiac disease, the sensitivity to gluten, are both conditions that present varying signs and symptoms. Each can be difficult to diagnose. Sometimes, however, doctors or patients mistake one condition for the other. However, trying a...
Because its symptoms can mimic many other diseases or conditions, it's not easy to diagnose systemic lupus. Also, different people with lupus have different symptoms. Your doctor has many pieces of a puzzle that he must link together in an...
If your symptoms include red and spotty skin accompanied by muscle pain, weakness and headaches, you might be suffering from several different conditions. You could have the virus mononucleosis and several autoimmune conditions, including lupus...
Systemic lupus erythematosus, often abbreviated to SLE and more commonly referred to as lupus, is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting an estimated 1.5 million Americans. It occurs when the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissues,...
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...
Hundreds of diseases or disorders cause symptoms of aching joints, body pain and extreme fatigue. The distinguishing differences that indicate one cause over another include the extent, duration and location of the symptoms. Some symptoms are...
As it is for men, androgenetic alopecia, or pattern baldness, is the most common cause of hair loss in women. It accounts for roughly a third of the cases, according to the Mayo Clinic. But other conditions can also trigger an excessive loss of...
As many as 1.5 million Americans have some form of lupus, a disease that causes the immune system to go haywire. If you've just learned that you have lupus, you may be considering a change in your diet to keep up your overall health. One of the...
Creatine phosphokinase, or CPK, is an enzyme that is found in your heart, brain and skeletal muscles. When these organs break down, it can cause the total amount of CPK in your blood to rise. CPK actually comes in three different types, or...
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...
