What is an autoimmune disease? | Afrilatest.be

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What is an autoimmune disease?

The immune system is responsible for protecting the body from pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and toxins. The immune system therefore intervenes in the event of the smallest foreign invasion by identifying, neutralizing and then eliminating the intruder. Immune cells are able to recognize 'friends' (healthy cells and tissues) from 'enemies', a process known as immune tolerance. In autoimmune diseases, something goes wrong with this tolerance system.

Certain white blood cells—T lymphocytes—that are programmed to recognize and destroy invaders become “autoreactive,” meaning they begin to attack healthy cells, tissues, or organs. B lymphocytes, also autoreactive, produce autoantibodies that bind to antigens present on the body’s healthy cells. In other words, the body secretes antibodies against itself.

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What are the symptoms of an autoimmune disease?

The symptoms of autoimmune diseases vary considerably depending on the organ or system affected. However, there are early symptoms that are similar across different autoimmune diseases.

• Fatigue
• Often fever
• General feeling of malaise
• Joint pain and swelling
• Skin problems, such as redness or rash
• Stomach ache or digestive problems
• Swollen lymph nodes

With some autoimmune diseases, such as psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), symptoms can come and go. A period of symptoms is called a flare-up. A period in which symptoms disappear is a remission.

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What are the most common autoimmune diseases?

• Rheumatoid arthritis: Autoantibodies attach to the membrane surrounding the joints, causing inflammation, swelling and pain. The inflammation then spreads to the cartilage, bones and even the tendons and ligaments. If left untreated, joint damage can be permanent.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus: autoantibodies are directed against molecules present on many cells of the body. The disease usually affects the joints, skin, lungs, heart, brain, kidneys, etc.
• Type 1 diabetes: Autoantibodies attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetics require insulin injections to survive.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): The immune system attacks the cells of the intestinal lining, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bleeding. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the two main forms of IBD.
• Multiple sclerosis: Immune cells attack myelin, the fatty layer that surrounds and protects neuronal pathways. This affects the central nervous system. The disease can lead to severe disability over time.
• Guillain-Barré syndrome: The immune system attacks the peripheral nerves that control the muscles in your legs. The disease leads to muscle weakness and even paralysis.
• Psoriasis: Autoreactive T-lymphocytes cause skin cells, the keratinocytes, to multiply too quickly. These cells move to the skin surface, where they accumulate in the form of thick red sores or plaques.
• Hashimoto's disease: Antibodies from the immune system attack the thyroid gland and slowly destroy the cells that produce thyroid hormones.
• Sjögren syndrome: The immune system attacks the tear and salivary glands, leading to decreased secretion of tears and saliva.

Risk factors and causes

• Gender: Women between the ages of 15 and 45 are at higher risk. 78% of people with an autoimmune disease are women
• Genetics: Some autoimmune diseases are hereditary, so you are at higher risk if someone in your family has the disease. Certain genes have also been linked to certain diseases, such as type 1 diabetes.
• Infections: Certain viruses and bacteria can disrupt your immune system and cause it to attack itself.
• Obesity.
• Other environmental factors: It appears that exposure to certain pollutants and chemicals such as solvents, cigarette smoke, etc. may increase the risk of developing an autoimmune disease.

Diagnosis

Your doctor may order a blood test to check for autoantibodies (antibodies that attack your tissues). Imaging can also help make a diagnosis. For example, ultrasound scans and X-rays can show joint problems, and MRI scans can show deep tissue damage.

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Which treatment?

Today, there is no cure for autoimmune diseases. Treatments adapted to each pathology help to control the symptoms to a greater or lesser extent (painkillers, anti-inflammatories, etc.).