EVER HEARD OF AUTOIMMUNITY?...A SELF DESTUCTIVE HEALTH PHENOMENON UNCOVERED!

 The first time I learned about this health condition was during my immunology class in the first semester of my fourth year in the university. Well, it did not intrigue me as much as it is now, maybe because it seemed kind of evasive and abstract then.

Two weeks ago, I got to know about the sad demise of a junior colleague back then in secondary school. She died of autoimmune hepatitis. It was really a painful situation because same disease claimed the life of her brother years earlier as I heard. My heart really went out to that mourning family that had lost two of their treasures in their prime to this fairly known disease.

I was therefore, moved to uncover and bring to light this disease. It was no longer a course I needed to make an 'A' in. It is a real life threatening situation. I did a couple of researches on it and would be discussing autoimmune diseases under the following headings.

What is Autoimmunity and Autoimmune Diseases?

Autoimmunity is the system of immune responses of an organism against its own healthy cells and tissues, whereas any disease that results from such immune response is known as "autoimmune disease".

An autoimmune disease  is simply the condition where the body fights its healthy cells rather than foreign invading cells by releasing antibodies to fight them because it fails to distinguish between its healthy cells from the foreign cells resulting in inflammation and damage.

Causes of Autoimmune diseases

There is no known attributed cause for autoimmune diseases but the risk factors towards the development of autoimmune diseases  from scientific researches are as follows;

• Genetics: Studies have shown that this accounts for about half of the risk in developing autoimmune diseases. If one has a family member that has suffered autoimmune diseases, then the chances of getting it is higher. 
• Gender: Some  studies have also shown that women have a higher rate than men towards developing autoimmune diseases and often starts during the childbearing ages (15 - 44 years). This could be  due  to hormonal factors.
• Environment: Environmental triggers such as viruses, bacteria, diets, toxins, radiation, chronic infections could confuse the immune system. Some autoimmune diseases have been associated with infectious disease types eg multiple sclerosis. Physical agents such as irradiation may cause antigenic alterations. In an individual with a susceptible gene, environmental factors could facilitate autoimmune responses.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Nutritional deficiencies can alter immune responses. It has been reported that protein-energy malnutrition impairs the function of some immune cells. Also, other impairments have been reported for moderate deficiencies of trace minerals eg Zinc and some vitamins (especially A and D).
• Smoking: Research has linked smoking to a number of autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, hyperthyroidism.

Classification of Autoimmune diseases:

1. Localized (Organ specific): This involves a singular organ. Eg. Crohn's disease (intestinal tract), type 1 diabetes mellitus (insulin producing cells of the pancreas).
2. Systemic (Non-organ specific): This involves multiple sites in the body. Eg. Systemic lupus erythematosis, Sjorgren's syndrome.

Commonly reported autoimmune diseases are:

1. Rheumatoid arthritis: This is the form of arthritis that affects the joints. Unlike osteoarthritis which affects older people, rheumatoid arthritis can start as early as in one's 30s.
2. Systemic lupus erythematosis: It was first described as a skin disease because of its characteristic rash. It affects many organs including the joints, kidneys, brain and heart.
3. Multiple sclerosis: The immune system attacks the protective cells of the nerve resulting in nerve damage that disrupts the communication between brain and body.
4. Type 1 diabetes mellitus: Here the immune system attacks and destroys insulin producing cells in the pancreas.
5. Hashimoto's  thyroiditis: ( Lymphadenoid goiter):  The immune system attacks  the thyroid gland, slowly destroying the cells that produce thyroid hormones.
6. Chronic active autoimmune hepatitis:  The immune system attacks the liver, this could lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and liver failure.
7. Myasthenia gravis: This autoimmune disease affects nerve impulses that help the brain control the muscles.  Common symptom is muscle weakness that worsens with movement.
8. Addison's disease:  This affects the adrenal glands such that they do not produce sufficient  amounts of hormones like cortisol and sometimes aldosterone too.
9. Guillian-Barre Syndrome:This autoimmune disease attacks nerves controlling muscles in the legs and sometimes the arms and upper parts of the body.
10. Sjogren's syndrome: This disease attacks the glands that lubricate the eyes and mouth but it could also affect the joints and skin.
11. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD): This disease causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. The types include ulcerative colitis (inflammation and sores in the innermost lining of the colon) and Crohn's disease (inflammation of lining of the digestive tract).

Symptoms of Autoimmune diseases:

It could be severe in some people and mild in others. They include; fatigue, joint pains or swelling, recurring fever, skin problems, abdominal pain or digestive issues, swollen glands etc.

Diagnosis of Autoimmune diseases:

There is no single test to diagnose autoimmune diseases. However, the doctors can use a combination of tests and review of symptoms and physical examination to diagnose. The antinuclear antibody test (ANA) is often one of the first tests used when symptoms suggest autoimmune diseases. Other tests are C-reactive protein test (CRP) and ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate).

Treatment of Autoimmune diseases:

There is no cure for autoimmune diseases but treatments could include medication to slow down the disease progression and reduce inflammation and pain. Drugs used to treat autoimmune diseases include Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. Immune suppressing drugs are also used. Healthy diets can help to ease the pains. Treatments are also geared towards relieving symptoms.

Can one have more than one autoimmune disease?

Yes, it is called poly autoimmunity. The combination of three or more diagnosed autoimmune diseases in one person is called Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome (MAS). Studies have shown that about 25% of patients with autoimmune diseases have a tendency of developing additional autoimmune diseases.

Are Autoimmune diseases fatal?

Autoimmune diseases  affect life expectancy, but they're usually chronic and not fatal. However, there are also some autoimmune diseases that have very high rate of mortality but they are rare.