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     Select a category from above or type in a keyword or phrase in the R.A.A.I.D. Search Engine. If you're having trouble finding something, take a look through our R. A. A. I. D. Sitemap. Also check out The Quick Link Dictionary of Autoimmune Diseases, and The Signs & Symptoms Checker.
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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

Featured
Autoimmune
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.
LUPUS / SLE
      Non-infectious chronic disease in which antibodies in an individual's immune system attack the body's own substances. In lupus, known medically as lupus erythematosus, antibodies are produced against the individual's own cells, causing tissue inflammation and cell damage. Because the vascular and connective tissue of any body organ may be affected, various symptoms may result. Generalized symptoms include fever, weakness, weight loss, anemia, enlargement of the spleen, and a characteristic butterfly-shaped skin rash on the face. Heart, joint, and kidney disease are common. LUPUS / SLE

Specific Topics
& RSS 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.
Medications
Directory A - Z
Abilify

Abilify Maintena

Absorica

Abstral

Aciphex

Aciphex DR

Accutane

Actemra
Medication
& Treatment
ABATACEPT

ADALIMUMAB

ALLOPURINOL

AMBRISENTAN

ANAKINRA

AZATHIOPRINE

BISPHOSPHONATES

BISPHOSPHONATE

Finding A Doctor / (Specialist)

    There are times when your primary care doctor or family physician will refer you to seek outside help. Someone who is trained in a specific field of medicine. This type of referral is usually for someone known as a Specialist. It is not uncommon for a person to see more than one or even two specialist at the same time. Such diseases as Dermatomyositis, Lupus, Polymyositis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis, are an example of this. Treatment can vary from person to person, resulting in a team of doctors to help manage and care for a variety of symptoms.
Home Page was updated on
July 7th, 2018 PST U.S.A.