Autoimmune Disease Information

What are autoimmune diseases?
Our bodies have an immune system that protects us from disease and infection. But if you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks itself by mistake, and you can get sick.

Autoimmune diseases can affect connective tissue in your body (the tissue which binds together body tissues and organs). Autoimmune disease can affect many parts of your body, like your nerves, muscles, endocrine system (system that directs your body's hormones and other chemicals), and digestive system.

There are over 100 autoimmune diseases and you will be surprised to learn that some of the more common diseases are autoimmune diseases. The list includes Allergic asthma, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Crohn's disease, Endometriosis, Fibromyalgia, Type 1 diabetes, Lupus, Lyme disease, Multiple sclerosis, Psoriasis, Restless leg syndrome, Rheumatic fever, Rheumatoid arthritis, Scleroderma, and Vasculitis.

Crohn's disease is a disorder that causes inflammation of your digestive tract or gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease and can affect all areas of your digestive tract, from the mouth to your anus. The most common area to be affected is the ileum (lower part of your small intestine). The inflammation and swelling can extend deep into the organ causing pain and often resulting in diarrhea.

The symptoms of Crohn's disease and other intestinal disorders like ulerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome, can make Crohn's disease difficult to diagnose.  The most common Chron's disease symptoms include diarrhea and abdominal pain. Other symptoms include weight loss, rectal bleeding, arthritis, problems with your skin, and fever.

In order to diagnose Crohn's disease, a physical exam is done with a series of tests. Blood tests can be used to look for anemia, that can indicate intestinal bleeding. An upper gastrointestinal exam involves a barium drink that coats the small intestine and shows up on a x-ray. Another test may include a visual exam of the colon using a simoidoscopy or colonoscopy. A biopsy from the lining of the intestine might also be necessary.

One of the main concerns with Crohn's disease is blocking of the intestine. The blockage can occur due to the swelling of the intestinal wall and scar tissue.

New research has  shown that you may be able to conquer Crohn's disease by bringing your immune system into shape. Make the lifestyle and food choices to reverse your Crohn's fast, naturally, and for good. Click here to learn how to reverse Chron's Disease.

What is Graves' disease?
Graves' Disease is a type of autoimmune disease that causes over-activity of the thyroid gland, causing hyperthyroidism. This over-activity is also sometimes called "toxic diffuse goiter." The thyroid gland helps set the rate of metabolism, which is the rate at which the body uses energy.

When the thyroid is too active, it makes more thyroid hormones than the body needs. High levels of thyroid hormones can cause side effects such as weight loss, rapid heart rate and nervousness. This is an uncommon disease that affects 2 percent of all women at some time in their lives. Graves' Disease also tends to affect women between the ages of 20 and 40, although it occurs in infants, children, and the elderly.

HIV
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected person's broken skin or mucous membranes.

In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.

HIV Testing

There are several behaviors that can increase your chances of getting HIV. These behaviors include injected drugs or steroids and sharing needles and syringes with other people. If you have had unprotected sex of any kind with men who have sex with men, multiple partners or anonymous partners. If you have been diagnosed or treated for an sexually transmitted disease (STD), tuberculosis (TB), or hepatitis. If you have answered yes to any of the above situations, you should get tested for HIV. Also, if you continue any of the above behaviors, you should get an HIV test annually.

AIDS
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. 

Acquired - means that the disease is not hereditary but develops after birth from contact with a disease causing agent (in this case, HIV).

Immunodeficiency - means that the disease is characterized by a weakening of the immune system.

Syndrome - refers to a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease. In the case of AIDS this can include the development of certain infections and/or cancers, as well as a decrease in the number of certain cells in a person's immune system.  A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using specific clinical or laboratory standards.