Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body.
A healthy immune system defends the body against disease and infection. However, if it doesn’t work well, it accidentally attacks healthy cells, tissues and organs. As for autoimmune diseases, any part of the body can be affected, weakening bodily function and even putting life at risk. Although science does not know what exactly causes them, it is possible to say that some factors involved are genetics, diet, infections and exposure to chemicals.
Overall, more than 80 autoimmune diseases are known to medicine. Next, Ultrarticular’s rheumatologist, Dr. Karine Luz, lists the top 5 and explains how they manifest themselves and their forms of treatment. Check out!
1. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Is illness chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease, triggered by an imbalance of the immune system, which mistakenly attacks healthy tissues instead of protecting them. Lupus can occur in people of any age, race and sex, but it mainly affects women between 20 and 45 years old.
Diagnosis of the disease
There is no single blood test that is unique for diagnosing lupus. “The presence of the so-called antinuclear factor, known as ANA, allows the diagnosis of the disease only if the patient presents typical manifestations of lupus”, explains the professional. Thus, the detection of a positive ANA, in the absence of the usual signs of the disease, does not mean that the person has it.
Treatment
O treatment it depends on the type of manifestation presented and must, therefore, be individualized. Medications that act on the organization of the immune system in SLE include corticoids, chloroquine and immunosuppressants. “It is necessary to use photoprotectors, which must be applied daily in all areas exposed to light”, says Dr. Karen Luz.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis
It is an autoimmune disease consisting of chronic inflammation, called synovitis, which can affect multiple joints. It usually starts between the ages of 30 and 40 and affects twice as many women as men. The main symptom of the disease is the presence of pain followed by the presence of swelling and heat in any joint, especially in the hands and wrists. “Morning stiffness is another common symptom of the disease. The presence of chronic inflammation can lead to cartilage destruction and deformity of the affected joint”, contextualizes the doctor.
Diagnosis of the disease
Discovery precocious and the rapid initiation of treatment are essential to control the disease. Therefore, to establish this diagnosis, the presence of some symptoms is necessary, as well as changes in the physical examination, laboratory tests and imaging. Examples include radiography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound; in this way, it is possible to check the state of the joints, such as inflammation, the appearance of erosions and other deformities.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on the stage of the disease and its severity. It includes anti-inflammatories, such as corticosteroids, for pain and inflammation. In order to control the inflammatory process and prevent joint destruction, it is essential to use drugs that modify the course of the disease, which act on the immune system. They can be synthetic or biological, which bind specifically to cellular structures that act in the inflammatory process, neutralizing them.
3. Sjogren’s Syndrome
It is a chronic and autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the glands that produce saliva and tears, causing dry eyes and mouth. The rheumatologist warns that it can affect other organs, such as joints, skin, lungs, kidneys and the nervous system. “It affects, 90% of the time, women over 40 years old, and patients who have rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are more likely to develop the disease”, she points out.
Symptoms and diagnosis of the disease
The main symptoms are dry mouth and/or dry eyes. The patient complains of a feeling of sand in the eyes or difficulty chewing and swallowing solid foods such as bread and cookies. As for the diagnosis, it is based on the patient’s symptoms and tests requested by the rheumatologist. Assessments are also requested to measure the quantity and quality of tears and salivary flow. “Ultrasound is a useful test to identify inflammation and enlargement of the salivary glands and to assess the need for a gland biopsy,” says the doctor.
Treatment
Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life for the individual. In the case of dry eyes, lubricating eye drops, known as artificial tears, can alleviate the symptom. Anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory eye drops also help control inflammation. For the treatment of dry mouth, drinking small sips of water in short periods is a palliative measure that can help. “Some immunobiological treatments are useful for controlling the symptoms, but also the mechanisms of illness“, concludes the professional.
4. Ankylosing spondylitis
It is a chronic inflammatory disease that hits the joints of the axial skeleton, mainly the spine, but the involvement of large joints such as the hip, knee, ankle and shoulders is also common. “It is a more prevalent disease in men between 20 and 40 years old and due to the presence of HLAB27, a genetic marker, and tends to run in families”, points out Dr. Karen Luz.
Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis
The main complaint is back pain for more than three months, associated with morning stiffness, which is worse at night and decreases in intensity throughout the day. Pain in the buttock area, which can spread to the spine, is another common symptom at the onset of the disease. In more severe cases, damage to the eyes (uveitis),heartlungs and intestines.
Diagnosis of the disease
At first, there is no direct test to diagnose ankylosing spondylitis, according to the rheumatologist. “A set of symptoms is taken into account and imaging tests such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis and spine are performed. Ultrasound is also a useful test to assess for arthritis and enthesitis,” she says. Thus, the doctor will probably request laboratory tests to identify the presence of the genetic marker (HLAB27) and to detect the presence of inflammation, such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP).
Treatment
The goals of treatment are to relieve painful symptoms and reduce the risk of deformities. For pain relief, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics and muscle relaxants are used. The use of disease evolution modifiers, such as sulfasalazine, methotrexate and biological therapy, is also recommended.
5. Psoriatic arthritis
It is a chronic inflammatory disease related to psoriasis, which is characterized by the presence of reddish and scaly lesions on the skin, which can affect any region of the body. Therefore, the occurrence of arthritis can start before, during or after the presence of the skin lesion.
The rheumatologist warns that arthritis usually affects the joints of the hands and feet, but pain in the spine can also occur. “In addition to joints, tendons and ligaments can be compromised by the inflammatory process, which can lead to joint destruction. It affects men and women equally,” she says.
Diagnosis of the disease
To diagnose the disease, you need to examine the skin and joints. Some blood tests may be ordered to assess the presence of inflammation, as explained by the professional, such as C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. “Imaging exams, such as radiography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, can be requested. Ultrasonography proved to be an important exam in the evaluation of joints, tendons, entheses and, recently, in the investigation of nail injuries”, he concludes.
Treatment
Treatment aims to reduce and control inflammation. Oral anti-inflammatories are used and injections are performed in the joints that are most affected. So it is one of the effective ways for treatment. The use of drugs that prevent joint destruction, such as synthetic or biological disease-modifying drugs, is part of the therapeutic arsenal.
Source: Maxima
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