Autoimmune diseases

May 18, 2012

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Autoimmune diseases   - A human diseases that occur as a consequence of a too high activity of the immune system of the body with respect to its own self-cells. The immune system perceives its tissues as foreign elements and begins to hurt them. These diseases also called the system as there is a certain loss of the whole body, and sometimes the entire body is affected.

For modern medical causes and manifestations of the mechanism of these processes is still unclear. So, there is an opinion that may trigger autoimmune disease and stress, and trauma, and various kinds of infections and hypothermia.

Among the diseases that belong to this group of diseases, it should be noted rheumatoid arthritis A number of autoimmune thyroid disease. It is also a mechanism for the development of autoimmune Diabetes   first type multiple sclerosis . systemic lupus erythematosus . There are also some syndromes that are autoimmune in nature.

The causes of autoimmune diseases

The human immune system matures most intensively since its birth until the age of fifteen. In the process of maturing cells gain the ability to later recognize some proteins of foreign origin that becomes the basis for the fight against various infections.

There is also a part of the lymphocytes Who perceive the body's own proteins as foreign. However, the normal state of the body's immune system produces rigid control over such cells so they function as destroying sick or defective cells.

But under certain conditions in the human body can lose control of such cells, and eventually they begin to be more active, destroying the already normal, healthy cells. Thus, there is development of autoimmune disease.

To date, there is no precise information about the causes of autoimmune diseases. However, research specialists allow to divide all causes of internal and external.

As the external causes of diseases of this type is determined by the effect on the body of infectious diseases, as well as a number of physical effects (radiation, ultraviolet radiation, etc.). If, due to these causes some loss occurs in the body tissue, the modified molecule is sometimes the immune system perceives as alien elements. As a result, it attacks the diseased organ, develop chronic inflammation and tissue damaged even more.

Another external cause of autoimmune diseases - the development of cross- immunity . This phenomenon occurs when an infectious agent similar to their own cells. As a result, the human immune system and acts on pathogens and cells on its own, hitting them.

As an internal causes determine the gene mutation nature that are hereditary. Some mutations can modify the antigenic structure of any tissue or organ. As a result, cells can no longer recognize them as their own. Autoimmune diseases of this type are called organospecific . In this scenario, the inheritance of a specific disease, ie from generation to generation takes place, or the defeat of a specific organ system.

Because other mutations impaired immune system balancing, which is not the proper control of autoaggressive lymphocyte. If under such circumstances the human body affect some stimulating factors, the result may be a manifestation organonespetsificheskogo autoimmune disease that affects a number of organs and systems.

To date, no exact information about the mechanism of development of diseases of this type. According to the general definition, the occurrence of autoimmune diseases provoke breach of the general function of the immune system or some of its components. There is an opinion that directly adverse factors can provoke an autoimmune disease. Such factors only increase the risk of disease in those who have a genetic susceptibility to this disease.

It is rarely diagnosed in medical practice classical autoimmune diseases. Much more often manifested autoimmune complications of other ailments. During the progression of certain diseases in tissues partially modified structure because of what they acquire the properties of alien elements. In this case, an autoimmune response directed to normal tissue. For instance, autoimmune reactions may occur owing   myocardial infarction . burns . viral diseases . injuries . It happens that the autoimmune attack exposed eye tissue or eggs as a result of inflammation.

Sometimes the immune system attack on healthy tissue is sent from the fact that they are joined by foreign antigen. This is possible, for example, in viral hepatitis B . There is another mechanism for the development of autoimmune reactions in healthy tissues and organs: a development in their allergic reactions .

Most autoimmune diseases are chronic diseases that develop with alternating periods of remission and relapse. In most cases, chronic autoimmune diseases provoke serious changes in the functions of organs, which ultimately leads to disability rights.

Diagnosis of autoimmune diseases

During the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases the most important point is the definition of an immune factor that provokes damage to tissues and organs. For the majority of autoimmune diseases are determined by such factors. In each case, to determine the required token use different immunological laboratory methods.

Furthermore, during the diagnosis doctor is required to take into account all the information on the clinical development of the disease and its symptoms, which are determined during inspection and survey of the patient.

Treatment of autoimmune diseases

Today, thanks to the constant research specialist treatment of autoimmune diseases is carried out successfully. When prescribing physician takes into account the fact that the human immune system is a major factor that negatively affects the organs and systems. Therefore, the nature of therapy in autoimmune diseases is immunosuppressive   and immunomodulatory .

Products- immunosuppressants   affect the functioning of the immune system depressing. This group of drugs includes cytostatics . antimetabolites . corticosteroid hormones And some antibiotics   and others. After receiving these drugs function of the immune system markedly inhibited, and the inflammation process is suspended.

However, in the treatment of disease using these drugs should be necessarily taken into account and the fact that they provoke adverse reactions. Such drugs do not affect locally: they apply to the human body as a whole.

Because of their admission can inhibit blood, internal organs are affected, the body becomes more susceptible to infections. After receiving some drugs in this group is an oppression of cell division, which can provoke intense hair loss. If the patient is being treated by hormonal drugs, the side effects may become appearance Cushing's syndrome , Which is characterized by a high arterial pressure . obesity . gynecomastia   men. Therefore, treatment of such drugs is carried out only after the complete specification of the diagnosis and under the supervision of an experienced physician.

The purpose of the application of immunomodulatory drugs is to achieve a balance between the different components of the immune system. Preparations of this type are assigned in the treatment of immunosuppressive agents as agents for preventing infection.

Immunomodulatory drugs are drugs that are predominantly natural origin. Such preparations contain the biologically active substances that restore the balance between different types of lymphocytes. The most commonly used drug are immunomodulators alfetin And drugs Rhodiola rosea . Echinacea purpurea th . ginseng extract .

Also in the treatment of autoimmune diseases used specially designed and balanced set of vitamins and minerals.

Today, the company is actively developing a fundamentally new methods of treating autoimmune diseases. One of the promising methods of gene therapy is considered - a method to replace a defective gene in the organism. But this method of treatment is only in the development stage.

Work is also underway to develop drugs, which are based antibodies Who can resist the attacks of the immune system, aimed at its own tissues.

Autoimmune thyroid disease

To date, autoimmune thyroid disorders are divided into two types. In the first case there is excess secretion process of thyroid hormones. This type is Graves's disease . When other species such diseases is lowering hormone synthesis. In this case, we are talking about Hashimoto's disease   or miksedeme .

During operation of the thyroid gland in humans, the synthesis of thyroxine. This hormone is important for the functioning of the organism in harmonious whole - it takes part in a number of metabolic processes, and is involved in ensuring the normal functioning of muscles, the brain, bone growth.

It is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland are the main reasons contributing to the development of the body's autoimmune hypothyroidism .

Autoimmune thyroiditis

Autoimmune thyroiditis   - This is the most common form of thyroiditis. Experts identify two forms of the disease: atrophic   and thyroiditis hypertrophic   thyroiditis (the so-called Hashimoto's disease ).

Autoimmune thyroiditis are characterized by the presence of both a qualitative and quantitative deficit of T-lymphocytes. Symptoms of autoimmune thyroiditis manifested lymphoid infiltration of the thyroid tissue. This state is shown as a result of influence of factors of autoimmune nature.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis occurs in people who have a genetic susceptibility to the disease. However, he appears under the influence of external factors. The consequence of such changes in the thyroid gland is the subsequent emergence of secondary autoimmune hypothyroidism.

In hypertrophic form of the disease symptoms of autoimmune thyroiditis manifested overall increase in thyroid cancer. This increase can be defined as a process of palpation and visual. Very often, the diagnosis of patients with similar pathology is nodular goiter.

When atrophic form of autoimmune thyroiditis occurs most often clinical picture of hypothyroidism. The end result is autoimmune thyroiditis autoimmune hypothyroidism In which the cells of the thyroid gland are absent altogether. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism is a tremor of fingers, severe sweating, increased heart beat, increased blood pressure. But the development of autoimmune hypothyroidism occurs several years after the beginning of thyroiditis.

Sometimes there are cases of thyroiditis flow without certain features. Yet in most cases the early signs of such a condition is often a certain discomfort in the area of ​​the thyroid gland. During swallowing, the patient may constantly feel a lump in the throat, feeling of pressure. During palpation of the thyroid gland may be a little hurt.

Subsequent clinical symptoms of autoimmune thyroiditis in humans appear coarsening of facial features, bradycardia , Appearance overweight . Patient changes the timbre of the voice, memory and speech have become less clear in the course of physical activity appears dyspnea. The skin condition is also changed: it thickens, there is dryness of the skin, livor . Women noted the violation of the menstrual cycle, on the background of autoimmune thyroiditis often develop infertility . Despite such a wide range of symptoms, diagnose it is almost always difficult. In the process of diagnosis is often used palpation of the thyroid gland, a thorough examination of the neck. It is also important to identify the level of thyroid hormones and antibodies in the blood to determine. when absolutely necessary, the thyroid ultrasound.

Treatment of autoimmune thyroiditis are usually carried out with the help of conservative therapy, which involves treatment of various disorders of the thyroid gland. In particularly severe cases, the treatment of autoimmune thyroidin performed surgically method thyroidectomy .

If the patient manifested hypothyroidism, treatment is performed by replacement therapy, which is used for thyroid thyroid hormone drugs.

Autoimmune hepatitis

The reasons why a person develops autoimmune hepatitis , Completely not known until today. It is believed that autoimmune processes in the liver of the patient provoke different viruses, for example, hepatitis viruses of different groups . Cytomegalovirus Herpes virus. Autoimmune hepatitis most commonly affects girls and young women, men and older women's disease is much rarer.

It is believed that in the development of autoimmune hepatitis patient is disturbed immunological tolerance of the liver. That is, in the formation of liver autoantibodies to certain parts of the liver cells.

Autoimmune hepatitis is a progressive character, with relapses occur very often. The patient with the disease is very severe liver damage. Symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis is jaundice, increase in body temperature, pain in the liver. There is the appearance of hemorrhages on the skin. Such bleeding can be both small and large enough. It is also in the process of diagnosis of the disease, doctors detected an enlarged liver and spleen.

In the course of disease progression observed changes that affect other organs. In patients with lymph node enlargement occurs, manifest pain in the joints. Later it may develop pronounced joint disease in which there is its swelling. It is also possible manifestation of the rash, localized scleroderma, psoriasis. The patient may suffer from muscle pain, sometimes going on the kidneys, heart, myocarditis.

At the time of diagnosis of the disease blood test, which is an increase in liver enzymes, too high bilirubin Increase thymol, a violation of the content of protein fractions. The analysis also reveals the changes that are characteristic of inflammation. However, markers of viral hepatitis do not show.

In the treatment of this disease are used corticosteroids. In the first phase of therapy are appointed by very high doses of these drugs. Later on, for several years, should take maintenance doses of such drugs.