Top Autoimmune Diseases

DISEASE AGE OF ONSET IMPACTED TISSUES SYMPTOMS MECHANISM CURRENT TREATMENT
Addison's disease Children or young adults Adrenal glands
  • Fatigue
  • Low blood pressure
  • Muscle weakness
  • Sometimes darkening of the skin
  • Weight loss
 Inadequate production of cortisol and, sometimes, aldosterone Hormone replacement for cortisol and, if needed, aldosterone
Allergic asthma Teenage years Lungs
  • Constricted airways
  • Inflamed airways
  • Exposure to allergens (e.g. pet dander, mold, etc.)
  • Immunoglobulin E (IgE) increases upon inhaling allergens
  • Prevent exposure
  • Bronchodilators
  • IgE blocker
Crohn's disease All age groups, but usually diagnosed between 20 and 30 years of age Digestive tract
  • Abdominal pain
  • Arthritis
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Weight loss
 Inflamation, caused by tumor necrosis factor
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Corticosteroids
  • Immune suppressors
  • Nutritional supplements
  • Surgery
Type 1 Diabetes Childhood and young adult Islet cells in the pancreas
  • Hyperglycemia
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Ketoacidosis
  • Celiac disease
 Destruction of islets cells prevents the production of insulin Insulen replacement
Graves' disease Usually after the age...

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