Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune refers to a group of diseases with different clinical manifestations, but a similar mechanism of action in which the human immune system begins to perceive its own cells and tissues as alien and attack them. The full list includes about 80 diseases, but there is still no complete treatment for them. Currently, about 5% of people around the world are affected by autoimmune pathologies, and their number is constantly growing.

• mechanism of
• reasons
• Types
• diseases List
• nervous system
• skin and mucous membranes
• lachrymal and salivary glands
• eyes
• Thyroid
• Pancreas
• adrenal glands
• liver
• Kidney
• Intestine
• Stomach
• Light
• blood and blood vessels
• Heart
• Muscles
• Joints
• Connective tissue
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Diet
• Pregnancy
• In children
• Prof. The mechanism of galaxies,

To develop immunity against foreign antigens( viruses, bacteria, pathogenic cells) body needs white blood cells - lymphocytes. They are produced by the bone marrow and are divided into 2 types:

• T-lymphocytes that mature in the thymus( thymus gland);
• B-lymphocytes ripening in the liver and bone marrow.

Each of the thousands of T-lymphocyte species has a specific activity against a strictly defined antigen, and is able to distinguish autoantigens( healthy body cell antigens) from strangers.

B-lymphocytes are even more diverse and produce antibodies - protein molecules that combine with the antigen and destroy it.

In an autoimmune disease, immunological tolerance is violated, that is, T-lymphocytes and antibodies are produced that destroy cells and tissues of one's own organism. In this case, their action is directed against a specific tissue, organ or system of organs, because of what such diseases are called systemic( or complex).

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Reasons for

The main factors that influence the aggression of lymphocytes are:

• Infection of the body with agent , similar in structure to normal host tissues, as a result of which the immune system begins to fight with both. By this principle, after autoimmune infection, autoimmune glomerulonephritis develops, and autoimmune reactive arthritis after gonorrhea develops.
• Influence of the infectious pathogen , which causes destruction or necrosis of tissues, a pathological change in their antigenic structure. This development is characteristic of autoimmune chronic hepatitis after hepatitis B.
• A violation of the integrity of the hematobarriers that separate certain organs and tissues from blood. Normally, the antigens of the cells of these organs do not enter the blood, so in T-lymphocytes in the thymus there is no initial development of tolerance to them. The barrier group includes the cells of the brain, thyroid( thyreocytes), B-cells of the pancreas( producing insulin), cells of sperm-producing epithelium. This mechanism is typical for the development of chronic autoimmune prostatitis - cells that produce spermatozoa are separated from the blood by a hematotestick barrier, whose integrity can be compromised by infection, inflammation or trauma, initiating autoaggression against prostate tissue.
• Hyperimmunity or Immunological imbalance is a condition in which the selector function of the thymus is broken( the ability to recognize its own cells) or too many lymphocyte killers are produced that destroy the damaged cells of their body. Such gene mutations are often inherited.

No one is insured against the development of these pathologies. However, in most cases, women of childbearing age are affected. The genetic factor also matters - the risk increases significantly if the family already had cases of autoimmune diseases.

Factors triggering the process of self-destruction can be:

• Viral and bacterial infections.
• Introduction of vaccines and therapeutic sera.
• Stresses.
• Incorrect food.
• Bad habits.
• Negative influence of the environment( exposure to radiation or ultraviolet radiation, air and drinking water pollution).

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Types of

The classification of autoimmune diseases suggests their division into 3 groups:

• Organ-specific is a disease in which antibodies and lymphocytes are directed against one or a group of autoantigens of a specific organ. Basically, it is barrier antigens, to which there is no inherent tolerance.
• Organonesspecific( systemic) is a disease in which autoantibodies and T-lymphocytes interact with autoantigens of various tissues and even organs. Pathological processes develop against the background of already existing tolerance.
• Mixed - includes both listed mechanisms.


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List of diseases

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Nervous system

• Primary systemic vasculitis is a group of diseases( more than 15) that cause changes in the nervous system. They are characterized by inflammation of the vessel walls, infiltration by their cellular elements, endothelial overgrowth, thrombosis and necrosis.
• Multiple sclerosis - multiple lesions of the myelin sheath of nerve fibers of the brain and spinal cord.
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome is an acute multiple inflammatory lesion of the peripheral nerves, manifested by flaccid paresis, sensitivity disorders, vegetative disorders.
• Syndrome of muscular stiffness ( illness of a stiff man) - characterized by increased muscle tone, painful spasms.
• Severe pseudo-paralytic myasthenia gravis ( myasthenia gravis) - increased fatigue, weakness( up to temporary paralysis) of certain muscle groups, which decrease at rest.
• Encephalomyelitis myalgic ( neuromyasthenia or chronic fatigue syndrome) is a somatic acute disease characterized by postencephalitic lesion of the brainstem.
• Essential narcolepsy - sleep disorders, manifested by night insomnia, bouts of daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep, loss of muscle tone with clear consciousness.


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Skin and mucous membranes

• Bullous dermatoses - bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus, dermatitis herpetiform dermatitis. Diseases are characterized by the appearance on the skin and mucous membrane of the mouth rashes in the form of blisters.
• Vasculitis with cutaneous localization , for example, hemorrhagic( purple Shenlaine-Henoch) - the destruction of small vessels( capillaries, venules and arterioles), manifested as a small-point rash with a tendency to fuse.
• Vitiligo - a violation of skin pigmentation, the formation of light spots on the face and body.
• Autoimmune urticaria - appearance on the skin of pink itchy blisters.
• Lichen - the appearance of red papules on the skin, as well as white bands on the mucous membrane of the mouth, tongue, lips, esophagus, genitalia.
• Alopecia areata - hair loss, leading to their loss or complete disappearance in certain areas of the head.
• Psoriasis ( scaly lichen) - the appearance of red, dry, raised spots above the skin - papules that merge with each other, forming plaques.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus is a connective tissue disease that can affect any part of the body( most often the skin, blood vessels, lungs, nervous system, liver, kidneys, heart, joints).Typically, the appearance of a symmetrical skin rash on the face in the form of a butterfly, photosensitivity.
• Sclerotrophic Lihen is a skin disease with the formation of a rash in the form of white tubercles, most often affects the genitals.

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Tear and salivary glands

Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic inflammation of the salivary and lacrimal glands with lymphoid infiltration( accumulation of lymphocytes) and subsequent atrophy.

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Eyes

• Autoimmune uveitis - inflammation of the choroid of the eye, the disease accounts for about 15% of severe visual disability.
• Behçet's disease is a chronic process with periodic exacerbations, which are characterized by lesions of the mucous membrane of the eyes( conjunctivitis), the choroid of the eyes( uveitis), the oral mucosa( stomatitis), and genital organs.
• Sympathetic ophthalmia is an inflammatory disease of the second, before this healthy, eye, caused by the lesion of the first.
• Endocrine ophthalmopathy ( ocelli) is an organ-specific progressive lesion of the soft tissues of the orbit and eyes that develops against the background of an autoimmune thyroid disease.

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Thyroid

• Graves disease ( Graves' disease, diffuse toxic goiter, thyrotoxicosis) - excessive secretion of thyroid hormones. The most common symptoms are an enlargement of the thyroid gland, protruding eyes, disruption of the heart, weight loss( despite increased appetite), sweating, weakness, sleep disturbance.
• Thyroiditis Hashimoto ( Hashimoto's thyroiditis, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland, in which the production of thyroid hormones( hypothyroidism) is reduced.

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Pancreas

• Autoimmune pancreatitis is a lesion of the pancreas and other organs( bile ducts, lymph nodes, intestines, kidneys) against which abdominal pain, jaundice, digestive disorders, diabetes mellitus may develop.
• Diabetes mellitus type I ( insulin-dependent) is an endocrine disease in which the blood sugar level rises. Also characteristic are: increased urine formation, thirst, weight loss, anorexia, fatigue, abdominal pain.

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Adrenal glands

• Addison's disease is a chronic hormonal insufficiency of the adrenal cortex.
• Cushing's disease ( micronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia) - excessive secretion of hormones of the adrenal cortex.

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Liver

• Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic progressive inflammatory liver injury. Often lead to cirrhosis of the liver.
• Primary biliary cirrhosis is a chronic destructive-inflammatory lesion of the bile ducts, leading to the development of cholestasis( a decrease in the intake of bile in the intestine).
• Autoimmune cholangitis is a disease with a mixed pattern of hepatitis and cholestasis.
• Cholangitis primary sclerosing is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by inflammation, infection and fibrosis of intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts, development of biliary cirrhosis, portal hypertension, hepatic insufficiency.

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Kidney

• Glomerulonephritis is a chronic inflammatory process in glomeruli( glomeruli of the kidneys), leading to their gradual withering away and replacement by connective tissue.
• Goodpasture Syndrome is a systemic capillary lesion affecting primarily the glomeruli of the kidneys and lungs of the lungs as hemorrhagic glomerulonephritis and pneumonitis.

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Intestine

• Autoimmune enteropathy is a specific dysfunction of lymphoid tissue of the colon and small intestine in children( more often in boys), manifested by severe diarrhea.
• Crohn's disease ( granulomatous colitis) is a segmental lesion of the colon with lymphocytic granulomas and the occurrence of penetrating slit-like ulcers.
• Nonspecific ulcerative colitis - develops as a diffuse chronic inflammation of the intestinal mucosa with the formation of extensive shallow ulcers.
• Celiac disease ( gluten enteropathy) is the inability of the intestine to take and digest foods containing gluten.

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Stomach

Pernicious ( or B12-deficient) anemia is a violation of hematopoiesis due to a deficiency in the body of vitamin B12.Often occurs against a background of atrophic gastritis.

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Light

• Autoimmune form of bronchial asthma ( allergic) - disruption of the respiratory system with bouts of shortness of breath, coughing, sensation of heaviness in the chest.
• Sarcoidosis is a disease of the lungs( as well as lymph nodes, liver, spleen and other organs) with the formation of granulomas( nodules) in the affected tissues.
• Fibrous alveolitis - extensive lesions of alveoli and interstitial lung tissue, leading to the development of fibrotic changes( proliferation of connective tissue with scarring) and respiratory failure.

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Blood and vessels

• Antiphospholipid syndrome is a complex of lesions, including venous and arterial thromboses, obstetric pathologies, thrombocytopenia and other neurological, skin, cardiovascular, hematological disorders.
• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia - Reduces the number of red blood cells with unchanged( normal) bone marrow condition.
• Autoimmune neutropenia - complete or almost complete absence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes at normal values ​​of lymphocytes and other blood elements.
• Kawasaki disease is an acute febrile illness of childhood, in which coronary and other vessels can produce aneurysms, thromboses, vascular wall ruptures.
• Takayasu disease ( giant cell arteritis) - the development in the wall of large arteries of inflammation, leading to their obliteration( infection).
• Hemolytic disease of the newborn is the destruction of the child's red blood cells due to the incompatibility of its blood with the mother's blood.
• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura ( Verlhof's disease) is a primary hemorrhagic diathesis caused by an increased susceptibility of platelets to aggregation( adhesion).
• Microscopic polyangiitis ( vasculitis hypersensitivity) is a generalized necrotizing lesion of small vessels of the skin, lungs and kidneys.
• Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria ( hemolytic disease of cooling) - acute development of hemoglobinuria( the appearance of hemoglobin in the urine) as a result of cooling the body against the background of the overall healthy state of the body.
• Wegener's syndrome is a necrotizing granulomatous arteritis of a systemic nature with predominant involvement of the respiratory tract( usually the upper respiratory tract) and the kidneys.
• Chard-Strauss syndrome is a congenital disease that leads to the development of frequent and severe seizures of bronchial asthma and the appearance of signs of systemic vasculitis.
• Nodular polyarteritis ( nodular periarteritis) - inflammatory-necrotic lesion of the walls of small and medium visceral and peripheral arteries.

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Heart

• Myocarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle( myocardium).
• Rheumatic fever - inflammation of the connective tissue, which is characterized by high fever, rheumatic carditis( pain in the heart, shortness of breath, heart rhythm disturbance), joint damage.

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Muscles

• Dermatomyositis ( Wagner's disease) is a disease of connective tissue with a predominant lesion of skeletal and smooth muscles, impaired motor function, the appearance of redness and swelling on the skin.
• Polymyositis is an inflammation of the muscular tissue of the predominantly striated musculature of the limbs, which is accompanied by pain, weakness and atrophy of the affected muscles.
• Rheumatic polymyalgia - stiffness and pain in different muscle groups( thighs, shoulders, spine, neck, buttocks), accompanied by fever and intoxication.

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Joints

• Bechterew disease ( ankylosing spondylitis) is an inflammatory lesion of inactive joints and ligaments of the spine. Gradually, ossification develops, the spine loses its elasticity and functional mobility.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic connective tissue disease with lesions of small joints( usually brushes and feet) in which an irreversible erosive and destructive process begins.

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Connective tissue

Systemic scleroderma -connective tissue disease with microcirculation disorder, inflammation and generalized fibrosis. It affects the skin, blood vessels, internal organs( lungs, kidneys, heart, digestive system), musculoskeletal system.

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Symptoms of

Each disease has characteristic manifestations - from hair loss and rashes on the skin to joint pain and problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Common symptoms for autoimmune diseases are fatigue, dizziness, a slight increase in body temperature. Particular attention should be paid to worsening after taking vitamins or immunostimulating drugs( based on ginseng, echinacea).

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Diagnosis of

Autoimmune diseases usually occur against a background of other diseases, which greatly complicates the diagnosis. For immunological and laboratory diagnostics, blood tests are performed.

Studies suggest the detection and tracking of the growth of a titer of certain autoantibodies, and is based on the following symptoms:

• Detection of lymphocytes tuned against tissue antigens in which an autoimmune process occurs.
• The presence of specific autoantibodies in the blood serum.
• Change in the number of T-lymphocytes causing a violation of tolerance.
• The presence of immune complexes( ligaments of antibodies with antigens of the affected tissue) in the serum or lesion.
• Determination of the phenotype of HLA( antigens of tissue compatibility).
• Positive effect of a specific treatment.

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Treatment of

Depending on the type of disease, the following groups of medicines can be prescribed:

• Drug-immunosuppressors - inhibit the functioning of the immune system. This group includes corticosteroid hormones, cytostatics, antimetabolites, and some antibiotics.
• Immunomodulators - are used to achieve balance between different components of the immune system( that is, different types of lymphocytes).This includes preparations of predominantly natural origin( based on rhodiola rosea, echinacea purpurea, ginseng).

New methods of treatment are also being developed:

• Complete replacement of immune cells - destruction of immunity and blood transfusion with new lymphocytes. The method has successfully passed clinical trials, but is used in exceptional cases when the patient's life is in danger.
• Replacement of the defective gene - in case of successful tests it will protect people from the acquisition of an autoimmune disease, as well as stop transferring the dangerous gene from the carrier to offspring.
• Synthesis of artificial killer antibodies is a scientific direction in the development of antibodies that destroy exclusively lymphocytes that have become ill and escaped from control. With its help, it will be possible to cure the patient without overwhelming his immunity completely.

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The

diet is a non-medicinal method for eliminating autoimmune diseases. Especially effective in organ-specific diseases, when the integrity of the protective barrier is broken.

Restore the impermeability of cell membranes help:

• Monounsaturated fatty acids are constituents of fish oil, vegetable oils rich in phospholipids( grape seed oil, olive, linseed, hemp, cedar).
• Biologically active additives that significantly accelerate the regeneration of membranes( Ginkgo Biloba).

For this purpose it is necessary to consume enough foods containing vitamins( A, B6, B9, B12, C, D, E, K), minerals( iron, iodine, magnesium, copper, selenium, zinc), antioxidants, fiber:

• Quality meat( game), offal;
• fish and shellfish;
• products rich in glycine( connective tissue, joints, skin, bone broth);
• a variety of vegetables in large quantities, especially - green;
• quality vegetable oils;
• fruits( but not more than 10-20 grams of fructose per day);
• probiotic products( fermented pickled vegetables or fruits, tea fungus, kefir or yogurt from coconut milk);
• water.

It is also recommended to significantly reduce consumption or completely exclude from the diet the following substances:

• Lectins are proteins that inhibit digestion. Contained in cereals, legumes, cereals.
• Gluten is a variety of lectins, increases intestinal permeability and activates the immune system( starch).
• Inhibitors of enzymes - interfere with the work of digestive enzymes, in large quantities lead to gastrointestinal upset. Contained in cereals, legumes, cereals, raw nuts.
• Saponins and glycoalkaloids are toxic substances that promote intestinal permeability and activation of the immune system. They are part of the Solanaceae family( eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes), seeds, chemically processed foods.
• Phytates and phytic acids - are useful only in small amounts, when they function as antioxidants. They contain all seeds, including cereals, legumes, cereals, seeds, coffee, cocoa.
• Carbohydrates ( sugars, starchy vegetables, soda, sauces, juices, food additives) - increase the amount of oxidants and contribute to the development of inflammatory processes in the body.
• Dairy products - contain inhibitors of digestive enzymes, digestible proteins.
• Alcohol - it contains toxic substances that increase the clearance between cells in the intestine and increase the permeability of the intestine.
• Trans fats - block cell membranes, contained in margarine, fried foods, mayonnaise.

Additional recommendations:

• Proportion of Omega-6 and Omega-3.Fatty acids are very important for the body, but they need to be used in the ratio 1: 1-1: 4.A large amount of Omega-6 can cause inflammation and dysbiosis. Omega-3, on the contrary, reduces inflammation and corrects the functioning of the immune system.
• Balance of hunger hormones. These hormones are responsible for the feeling of hunger and satiety and belong to the modulators of the immune system. To regulate them, you need to get rid of the habit of frequent snacks and eat 3-4 times a day in large portions.
• Regulate the intake of medications. Many drugs contribute to the development of intestinal perforation and dysbiosis, so it is desirable to choose alternatives to such medicines together with the doctor: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, proton pump inhibitors, histamine receptor blockers, antibiotics, hormonal contraceptives.

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In pregnancy

Autoimmune diseases affect the prognosis of pregnancy for both the mother and the fetus, and can cause miscarriage, premature birth, the birth of a dead child. In this period, during pregnancy, both an exacerbation of the disease and its transition to persistent remission are possible. Another problem is the use of medications - most drugs are contraindicated for pregnant women. Regular visits to the doctor and testing of the tests at this time are mandatory.

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In children

Autoimmune diseases can occur in childhood. The most common are:

• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis - manifested up to 16 years;
• systemic lupus erythematosus - may occur at birth, but more often occurs between 3 and 15 years;
• insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus;
• Bechterew's disease;
• nodular periarteritis;
• autoimmune hemolytic anemia;
• Hashimoto's thyroiditis;
• sympathetic ophthalmia;
• cold hemoglobinuria.

The problem of treating children is the use of steroid drugs that affect the growth of patients. Also, a child with an autoimmune disease can experience serious psychological disorders due to mockery on the part of peers.

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Prevention

Lifestyle has a direct effect on immunity and the level of inflammation, and can contribute to both the development of the disease and healing.

For the normal balance of hormones in the body, the following recommendations should be adhered to:

• Avoid stress. The stress hormone( cortisol) promotes intestinal permeability and worsens the immune system.
• To adhere to a healthy regime of the day. In the body there are many processes associated with the change of day and night within a 24-hour period. These processes are regulated by hormones, the main of which - cortisol and melatonin - are also responsible for the immune activity.
• Observe the rest mode. The lack of quality high-grade sleep adversely affects the production of hormones.
• Debug the number of meals. The diet, consisting of 2-4 full-fledged portions a day, contributes to the equilibrium of the hunger hormones in the body. The exception is patients whose digestive organs are not able to process a large amount of food at a time.
• Regularly doing physical exercises, activity should be moderate.
• More rejoice - to communicate with children and animals, to choose a hobby - this helps normalize the level of hormones.