autoimmune diseases

psoriasis

chronic inflammatory skin disease with pink or red lesions and scaling.

psoriasis etiology

idiopathic, genetics, trauma, infections, pregnancy, emotional stress, changes in climate

psoriasis signs

dry, cracked skin, pain, itchyness, tachycardia, fever

psoriasis diagnostics

physical exam, skin biopsy

psoriasis treatment

avoid known triggers, phototherapy, corticosteriod creams, nonsteriodal creams, antihistamines, oatmeal baths, wet dressings, good skin hygiene, injections, anti-inflammatory

psoriasis complementary therapy

foods high in omega 3, aloe vera, exercising, relaxation

alopecia

the absence or loss of hair, 2 types

1. scarring- fibrosis, inflammation and loss of follicle

2. nonscarring- hair shaft is gone but follicle is still intact; reversible

alopecia etiology

abnormal immune response, systemic illnesses, drugs, chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal imbalances, trauma, idiopathic, aging

alopecia treatment

scarring= no treatment

nonscarring= medications, surgical redistribution, photochemotherapy

scleroderma

progressive, chronic, connective tissue disorder with difuse fibrosis of skin and internal organs.

systemic- skin and organs affected

scleroderma etiology

autoimmune, exposure to certain viruses, genetics, women generally more affected, 30-50 yrs

scleroderma signs

hardening & tightening of the skin, raynauds phenomenon, pain, stiffness, and swelling of joints, calcium deposits in connective tissue, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, dysphagia, malabsorption, cardiac and pulmonary fibrosis, arrhythmias, dyspnea

scleroderma diagnostics

x-rays, blood tests (^ ESR), positive antinuclear antibody test, urinalysis, skin biopsy

scleroderma treatment

palliative, chemotherapy, immunosuppressive drugs, corticosteroids, vasodilators, antihypertensive drugs, treat ulcers

scleroderma complementary therapy

physical & occupational therapy, relaxation, meditation, stay active, protect skin, dont smoke

scleroderma prognosis

poor, about 30% die within 5 years of diagnosis

rheumatoid arthritis

chronic, systemic, inflammatory disease infecting synovial membranes of multiple joints. can destroy cartilage, erode bone and deform joints

rheumatoid arthritis etiology

autoimmune, genetics, infections, endocrine factors

rheumatoid arthritis signs

develops insidiously, malaise, persistent low grade fever, fatigue, weight loss, joint pain, stiffness and swelling

rheumatoid arthritis diagnostics

blood test- positive for rheumatoid factor, x-ray, CT, MRI

rheumatoid arthritis treatment

NSAIDs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) corticosteroid injections, surgery

myasthenia gravis

chronic, progressive neuromuscular disease causing sporadic weakness and exhaustion of muscles resulting from the disappearance of receptors of acetylcholine

myasthenia gravis etiology

autoimmune, antibodies that are produced by the thymus gland destroy the receptors

myasthenia gravis signs

drooping eyelids, double vision, blank expression, nasal regurgitation, dysphagia, bobbing head, eventually will progress to paralysis

myasthenia gravis diagnostics

improvement of strength after injection of anticholinesterase drugs, electromyography, MRI, CT

myasthenia gravis treatment

symptomatic and supportive, anticholinesterase drugs, thymectomy, corticosteroids, antibody therapies

myasthenia gravis prognosis

lifelong condition with periodic remissions, exacerbations and fluctuation, but no known cure

myasthenia gravis prevention

no known prevetion

lupus

chronic, inflammatory connective tissue disorder; cells and tissues are damaged by autoantibodies and immune complexes

lupus etiology

idiopathic, genetic factors, stress, overexposure to ultraviolet light, immunization reactions, pregnancy, certain drugs

lupus signs

butterfly rash, weight loss, fatigue, headaches, joint pain, photosensitivity, joint deformities, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, ulcers, alopecia, pleuritis, pericarditis, raynaud phenomenon

lupus diagnostics

CBC, lupus erythematosus, anti-DNA test

lupus treatment

anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, protective clothing

lupus complementary therapy

whole foods, vegetable's, vitamin B12, B5 and C

multiple sclerosis

chronic, progressive and irreversible autoimmune disease with destruction of the myelin sheath, occurs at scattered sites throughout CNS and results in physical disability

multiple sclerosis etiology

immunologic (immune system attacks itself), genetic predisposition, vitamin D issues

multiple sclerosis signs

changes in vision, sudden, transient motor & sensory disturbances, muscle weakness, paralysis, incontinence, fatigue, balance problems, numbness, mood swings

multiple sclerosis diagnostics

no definitive test, rule out other possibilities, neurological exam, eye exam, CSF analysis, cranial CT, MRI

multiple sclerosis treatment

treat symptoms, no cure, corticosteroids, therapies

hashimoto thyroiditis

type of hypothyroidism with swelling and inflammation of the thyroid

hashimoto thyroiditis etiology

due to antibodies to thyroid antigens in blood, idiopathic, genetic, common to have another autoimmune disease aswell

hashimoto thyroiditis signs

swelling, pain, tenderness, decreased energy, dysphagia, difficulty concentrating, depression, weakness, constipation, menstrual irregularities, cold intolerance, weight gain, dry skin & hair

hashimoto thyroiditis diagnostics

blood tests, antithyroid antibody test, ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration of thyroid

hashimoto thyroiditis treatment

hormone replacement, anti-inflammatory drugs, consistent monitoring

type 1 diabetes mellitus

complete absence of insulin secretion

type 1 diabetes mellitus etiology

idiopathic, autoimmune, genetic, infection, low vitamin D

type 1 diabetes mellitus signs

polyuria, glycosuria, polydipsia, weight loss, polyphagia, ketoacidosis,

type 1 diabetes mellitus diagnostics

HbA1C test, random blood glucose test, fasting blood glucose test, oral glucose tolerance test

type 1 diabetes mellitus treatment

good diet, exercise, insulin therapy, healthy weight

celiac

disease of small intestine marked by malabsorption, gluten intolerance, damage and characteristic changes in the mucosal lining of the intestine.

celiac etiology

autoimmune, immune system reacts and attacks the small intestine preventing the absorption of vital nutrients, toxic or immunologic reaction

celiac signs

weight loss, anorexia, dermatitis, abnormal stools, tenderness, anemia, neuropathy, seizures, dry skin, amenorrhea, hypometabolism, mineral depletion, bone pain

celiac diagnostics

rule out other possibilities, serological test, biopsy

celiac treatment

remove gluten from diet, corticosteroid drugs, iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements