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R. A. A. I. D. is an organization created by Weishendo Publications which is dedicated to Raising the Awareness of Autoimmune Diseases, by using multimedia as a platform to reach others. We are committed to reaching those who are unaware of the effects, by sharing knowledge about these and other illnesses, and how they affect our society.

Autoimmune
Diseases
Dictionary:

A - B

C - D

E - F

G - H

I - K

L - M

O - P

R - S

T - U

V - W

Signs
&
Symptoms:

A - B

C - D

E - F

G - H

I - K

L - M

O - P

R - S

T - U

V - W

The Human
Body &
Autoimmune
Diseases

     Autoimmune Diseases are those in which the body is attacked by its own specific adaptive immune response. In normal, healthy states, the immune system induces tolerance, which is a lack of an anti-self immune response. However, with autoimmunity, there is a loss of immune tolerance, and the mechanisms responsible for autoimmune diseases include type II, III, and IV hypersensitivity reactions. Autoimmune diseases can have a variety of mixed symptoms that flare up and disappear, making diagnosis difficult.

     The causes of autoimmune disease are a combination of the individual’s genetic makeup and the effect of environmental influences, such as sunlight, infections, medications, and environmental chemicals. However, the vagueness of this list reflects our poor understanding of the etiology of these diseases. Except in a very few specific diseases, the initiation event(s) of most autoimmune states has not been fully characterized.

   There are several possible causes for the origin of autoimmune diseases and autoimmunity is likely due to several factors. Evidence now suggests that regulatory T and B cells play an essential role in the maintenance of tolerance and prevention of autoimmune responses. The regulatory T cells are especially important for inhibiting auto reactive T cells that are not eliminated during thymic selection and escape the thymus (see T Lymphocytes and Cellular Immunity). In addition, antigen mimicry between pathogen antigens and our own self antigens can lead to cross-reactivity and autoimmunity. Hidden self-antigens may become exposed because of trauma, drug interactions, or disease states, and trigger an autoimmune response. All of these factors could contribute to autoimmunity. Ultimately, damage to tissues and organs in the autoimmune disease state comes as a result of inflammatory responses that are inappropriate; therefore, treatment often includes immuno - suppressive drugs and corticosteroids.

The Primary Systems
of The Human Body

The human body and the primary systems affected by autoimmune diseases are listed below, starting with the biggest of all:

Integumentary System

Muscular System

Respiratory System

Endocrine System

Urinary System

Nervous System

Skeletal System

Lymphatic System

Circulatory System

Digestive System

Example of Autoimmune Diseases

Integumentary System (SKIN)

Featured
Auto-
Immune
Disease

There are 80 to 100 diseases classified as autoimmune with specific signs & symptoms.

Almost all of them share signs of inflammation, associated with either chronic or acute pain.

Goodpasture’s Syndrome

Goodpasture’s syndrome (also known as Goodpasture’s disease and anti-glomerular basement antibody disease) is a rare autoimmune disease in which antibodies attack the lungs and kidneys, leading to bleeding from the lungs and to kidney failure. It may quickly result in permanent lung and kidney damage, often leading to death. It is treated with immunosuppressant drugs such as corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide, and with plasmapheresis, in which the antibodies are removed from the blood.

The specific target of the immune attack is the GBM antigen, which is found in the lungs and kidneys. The antigen is a component of the non-collagenous 1 (NC1) domain of the alpha-3 chain of type IV collagen in the glomerular basement membrane. Goodpasture's syndrome is a type II hypersensitivity-like reaction. The disease was first reported by the American pathologist Ernest Goodpasture, Vanderbilt University, in 1919.

Specific Topics
& Feeds

All medicines can have side effects. Some medicines and side effects are mentioned in this publication. Some side effects may be more severe than others. Always review the insert that comes with your medicine and ask your primary doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the possible side effects.

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Psoriasis

An immune-mediated disease that affects the skin. It is typically a lifelong condition. There is currently no cure, but various treatments can help to control the symptoms.

Psoriasis occurs when the immune system mistakes a normal skin cell for a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that cause overproduction of new skin cells. It is not contagious. Psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of stroke, and treating high blood lipid levels may lead to improvement. There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, and erythrodermic. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, is commonly seen as red and white hues of scaly patches appearing on the top first layer of the epidermis (skin). Some patients, though, have no dermatological signs or symptoms. The name psoriasis (ψωρίασις) is from the Greek language, meaning roughly "itching condition" (psora"itch" + -sis "action, condition").