An autoimmune disease is a disorder of the immune system where the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues and cells, causing inflammation and damage in various organs. The exact causes are not fully understood, but they usually involve genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. Several common autoimmune diseases exist, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Symptoms of autoimmune diseases vary depending on the disease and the organ affected, but they can include fatigue, joint pain, rashes, and gastrointestinal upset. Management of autoimmune diseases often relies on immunosuppressive medications to reduce the abnormal immune response. Long-term medical follow-up is often necessary to manage the condition and improve the quality of life of patients with autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune diseases are a group of complex immune system disorders where the body’s defense system, which is normally responsible for protecting the body against infections, begins to mistakenly attack its own tissues and cells. This autoimmune reaction causes inflammation and damage in various organs and tissues of the body. There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases identified, each with specific characteristics and different targets. Some of the most common autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, and type 1 diabetes.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases. It is characterized by inflammation of the joints, leading to pain, stiffness and joint deformity. RA can also affect other organs and systems in the body. Although there is no definitive cure, RA can be managed effectively with appropriate medications and treatments.
Most autoimmune diseases are not curable, but they can often be controlled with medical treatments. The main goal of treatments is to suppress the abnormal immune response, reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms. In some cases, complete remission can be achieved, meaning the symptoms disappear temporarily. However, it is important to maintain long-term medical monitoring to manage the disease and avoid flare-ups.
Autoimmune diseases can start at any time in life, but they are often diagnosed in younger adults, usually between the ages of 20 and 50. However, it is not uncommon for them to appear at other times, including in children and older people. Triggering factors can include genetic predispositions, infections, hormones and environmental factors.
Rare autoimmune diseases include Goodpasture syndrome, a condition where the immune system attacks the lungs and kidneys; dermatomyositis, characterized by muscle and skin inflammation; and granulomatosis with polyangiitis, a vasculitis that affects small blood vessels. These diseases are less common than major autoimmune diseases, but they require specialized medical attention.
Symptoms of autoimmune diseases vary depending on the specific illness, but they can include fatigue, joint pain, rash, fever, gastrointestinal upset, and more. To make an accurate diagnosis, a doctor will perform a complete medical evaluation, including a medical history, physical exams, and blood tests. Tests specific to autoimmune diseases, such as autoantibodies, may also be necessary. Early diagnosis is essential for effective management of the disease.
Several autoimmune diseases can cause significant fatigue. For example, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is known to cause extreme fatigue, as are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS). This fatigue can be debilitating and significantly affect patients’ quality of life. Fatigue associated with autoimmune diseases may be due to chronic inflammation, anemia, persistent pain, sleep disturbances, and other disease-related factors. It can vary in intensity from one individual to another and can sometimes be debilitating. Managing fatigue related to autoimmune diseases may require lifestyle adjustments, medications to control inflammation, and stress management strategies.
There is no specific autoimmune disease that consistently causes weight loss. However, some autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, can cause unintentional weight loss due to problems with nutrient absorption, chronic diarrhea, and abdominal pain. This weight loss can be concerning and requires medical management to stabilize the patient’s nutritional status. It is important to note that weight loss due to autoimmune disease is often undesirable and should be managed in conjunction with a healthcare professional to minimize potential complications.
The thyroid is an endocrine (or hormonal) gland, located against the esophagus and which is schematically shaped like a bow tie. It is essentially made up of vesicles with walls made up of a single layer of cells, and which contain the colloid, mainly made up of thyroglobulin. The two hormones secreted by the thyroid … Read more
Graves’ disease, also known under the name Graves , is an autoimmune disease affecting the thyroid gland, which causes hyperthyroidism or hyperfunction of this gland. Graves’ disease represents 76% of hyperthyroidism in particular. It preferentially affects relatively young women, but it can nevertheless occur at any age. A little history Robert James Graves was an Irish surgeon. Having described exophthalmic goiter in 1835, he gave … Read more
Gougerot-Sjögren’s syndrome (GSS) is an immune disease primarily affecting the exocrine glands. Due to lymphocytic infiltration of the salivary or lacrimal glands, or sometimes both, the main clinical manifestations are dry saliva and/or dry eyes. Dentists are generally called in to treat complications and oral discomfort caused by instability in the quantity and quality of … Read more
Juniper, whose botanical name is Juniperus communis L., belongs to the Cupressaceae family. The essential oil comes from the fruiting cones or “Juniper berries”. Juniper essential oil, from a tree with a rich history, has been considered a panacea for centuries. Its origins date back to prehistoric times, when its properties were already recognised and … Read more
Crohn’s disease is a transmural chronic inflammatory bowel disease . It usually affects the distal ileum and colon , but can occur anywhere in the digestive tract. Symptoms include diarrhea and abdominal pain. Abscesses, internal and external fistulas as well as obstruction of the intestine can occur. Extra-intestinal symptoms, including arthritis, may also occur. A little history The name of Burrill Bernard Crohn quoted thousands … Read more
Gemmotherapy is a specialised form of phytotherapy which uses the buds, young shoots and rootlets of trees and plants. Known as “global embryonic phytotherapy”, it has been studied in depth by experts such as Dr Henry and Drs Bergeret and Tétau. Gemme: borrowed from the Latin gemma “bud” and by analogy of shape and colour … Read more
Most medicinal plants do not pose a significant health risk; however, there are cases where some herbs can produce unwanted effects. Therefore, their use is limited to certain situations. To assess the degree of toxicity of a substance, factors specific to the exposed subject such as age, weight, sex, physiological status, etc., as well as … Read more