Autoimmune system what is it

We do know that certain risk factors increase the chances of developing autoimmune disorders, including: Genetics : Certain disorders such as lupus and multiple sclerosis MS tend to run in families. Weight : Being overweight or obese raises your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. This could be because more weight puts greater stress on the joints or because fat tissue makes substances that encourage inflammation.

Smoking : Research has linked smoking to a number of autoimmune diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, hyperthyroidism and MS. Before starting or stopping any medications, however, make sure to talk to your doctor. Autoimmune Disease and Your Health Having lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis raises your risk for heart disease. Sign Up for Our Free Newsletter One of the best things you can do to protect and improve your health is to stay informed. More than 80 different autoimmune diseases exist.

Often their symptoms overlap, making them hard to diagnose. Blood tests that look for autoantibodies can help doctors diagnose these conditions. Treatments include medications to calm the overactive immune response and bring down inflammation in the body.

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It occurs when your immune system attacks your liver cells. Learn about causes and…. Autoimmune arthritis happens when your immune system attacks the lining of your joints. Is type 2 diabetes an autoimmune disease, and if it is, how would that affect treatment of this condition? Discover the answer to these and other…. Psoriasis in children is treatable, but the impact of the disease may go deeper than the skin.

Learn about psoriasis triggers, medications, and coping…. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common type of arthritis in children. Learn about juvenile idiopathic arthritis symptoms, diagnosis, and…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. An autoimmune disease is a condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your body.

Normally, the immune system can tell the difference between foreign cells and your own cells. Why does the immune system attack the body? Autoimmune disease symptoms. When to see a doctor.

Tests that diagnose autoimmune diseases. Many people take medicines to reduce the immune system's abnormal response. These are called immunosuppressive medicines. Examples include corticosteroids such as prednisone and nonsteroid drugs such as azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate, sirolimus, or tacrolimus.

Targeted drugs such as tumor necrosis factor TNF blockers and Interleukin inhibitors can be used for some diseases. The outcome depends on the disease. Most autoimmune diseases are chronic , but many can be controlled with treatment.

Symptoms of autoimmune disorders can come and go. When symptoms get worse, it is called a flare-up. Complications depend on the disease. Medicines used to suppress the immune system can cause severe side effects, such as higher risk for infections.

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