The immune system is a complex mechanism consisting of cells and organs. Its main task is to protect a person from the influence of foreign agents. Perfectly distinguishing “strangers” from “friends”, it protects the body from many different pathologies. But sometimes it crashes. The immune system loses the ability to distinguish its cells. The body begins to produce antibodies that attack healthy tissue. In this case, doctors conclude: disturbed autoimmune processes occur. What is this fraught with? And how to deal with such phenomena?
Autoimmune processes in the body - what is it?
Most people who have heard of such phenomena immediately associate them with severe incurable diseases. It really is. But only if autoimmune processes are impaired. If they are normal, they perform very necessary and important functions.
Let's figure out what an autoimmune process means. During the course of human life, any disturbances can occur in the cells. In this case, they become alien, and can even cause harm. This is where the immune system comes in. It cleanses the body, relieves it of foreign agents. The immune system eliminates dead cells. It is difficult to imagine what would happen to the body if such a function did not exist. A man would turn into a real cemetery of dead cells. It is this function that has received the name "autoimmune process in the body."
In the event of a malfunction, the immune system begins to attack its own cells. She perceives healthy tissue as foreign elements. As a result, their own immune system damages them. Against the background of this phenomenon, autoimmune diseases begin to develop .
Causes of Violations
Until today, doctors are not ready to say, as a result of which autoimmune processes are disrupted. The reasons for such phenomena are not fully understood. It is believed that such pathologies can be triggered by injuries, stress, hypothermia, various infections.
Doctors distinguish the following sources that trigger similar disorders in the body:
- Various infectious pathologies provoked by microorganisms, in which the protein structure is very similar to human tissues and organs. For example, streptococcus is often the source of the problem. This infection invades the cell, disrupts its functioning and infects neighboring cells. The protein of streptococcal infection resembles healthy tissue cells. The immune system is not able to distinguish between them. As a result, a person may develop such ailments as arthritis, autoimmune glomerulonephritis, gonorrhea.
- In the body as a result of a number of reasons, pathological disorders such as necrosis or tissue destruction can be observed. The immune system, trying to cope with them, begins to attack not only the affected cells, but also healthy tissues. For example, hepatitis B often becomes chronic.
- Rupture of blood vessels. Many organs do not come in contact with this fluid. After all, blood does not fill the entire cavity of the body, but flows through special vessels. But sometimes vein rupture can occur. In this case, bleeding will begin. The body will immediately respond to this phenomenon, perceiving the cells to be foreign, and will start the production of antibodies. Such disorders can lead to thyroiditis, autoimmune prostatitis.
- The source of the problem may be an immunological imbalance or a hyperimmune state.
Risk groups
The autoimmune process in the body can be disrupted in any person. However, doctors distinguish certain groups of people who are most susceptible to this pathology.
This category includes:
- Women of childbearing age. It is noted that young women are much more likely to suffer from these violations than men. Moreover, pathology often develops at reproductive age.
- People with similar ailments in the family. Some autoimmune pathologies are genetic in nature. Such a disease is multiple sclerosis. Hereditary predisposition, especially in combination with other factors, often becomes the trigger for the development of pathology.
- Persons in much contact with certain components of the environment. Some substances can become a source of the development of the disease or aggravate the course of existing ones. These provocative factors are: bacterial, viral infections; chemicals active sun.
- People of a certain ethnicity. Doctors say that mainly white people develop such a pathology as type 1 diabetes. Systemic lupus erythematosus, in a severe stage, often affects Spaniards and African Americans.
General symptoms
Each case of this ailment is quite unique. The symptomatology that occurs in a person depends on what tissue was attacked. However, there are common symptom markers that indicate an impaired autoimmune process.
Signs that characterize a failure in the body:
- The patient experiences dizziness, general weakness, and low-grade fever.
- Most autoimmune pathologies occur in a chronic form. The stages of remission alternate with exacerbations. Sometimes pathology progresses rapidly, leading to severe complications in just a few days, weeks, months.
Diseases and symptoms
Let us consider in more detail what ailments can develop as a result of a condition such as a disturbed autoimmune process. Symptoms are completely dependent on the pathology. Therefore, talking about them separately is impossible.
So, if autoimmune processes are disrupted , the following diseases can develop:
Alopecia areata
Hair follicles are attacked. Such a pathology, as a rule, does not affect the general state of health. But significantly worsens the appearance.
The following symptoms are characteristic of the disease: on the head and other areas of the body, there are no areas of hair.
Autoimmune hepatitis
With this pathology, the immune system destroys the liver. As a result, organ compaction, cirrhosis, and liver failure can be observed.
It is recommended to pay attention to the following symptoms:
- enlarged liver
- itchy skin
- weakness,
- yellowness
- joint pain,
- discomfort in the digestive tract.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Against the background of vein thrombosis, arteries, blood vessels are damaged.
The development of such a pathology is indicated by:
- blood clots,
- mesh rash on the wrists, knees,
- spontaneous abortion.
Celiac disease
With this pathology, people cannot tolerate gluten. This substance is found in rice, cereals, barley. In the case of taking such products or certain medications , the immune system attacks the intestinal mucosa.
Symptoms:
- pain, bloating;
- upset or constipation;
- weight loss or weight gain;
- weakness, rash, itching on the skin;
- disturbed menstrual cycle, miscarriage, infertility.
Graves disease
This is a pathology in which a disturbed autoimmune process in the thyroid gland proceeds. The affected organ begins to produce a lot of hormones.
For the disease are characteristic:
- irritability,
- excessive sweating
- losing weight
- insomnia,
- trembling hands
- minor menstruation
- hair section
- high heat demand
- bulging eyes
- muscle weakness.
Type 1 diabetes
In this case, those cells that produce insulin are attacked. This hormone provides normal blood sugar. Without insulin, the norm is significantly exceeded. As a result, lesions of the heart, kidneys, eyes, teeth, nerves can be observed.
Symptoms indicate this disease:
- feeling of thirst
- feeling of tiredness, hunger,
- itching, dry skin,
- frequent urination
- poor wound healing
- involuntary weight loss
- tingling or loss of sensation in the limbs,
- visual impairment (image perceived blurry).
Multiple sclerosis
Damage to the nerve sheath is characteristic. Damage affects the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms vary by degree and area of lesion.
The following symptoms may be observed:
- poor coordination, incontinence, weakness;
- problems with speech;
- tremor;
- paralysis;
- tingling, numbness of limbs.
Psoriasis
The disease develops as a result of the active production of new skin cells in the deep layers. They begin to pile up on the surface of the epidermis.
The disease is manifested by the following symptoms:
- coarse red spots resembling scales;
- they arise on the elbows, knees, head;
- pain, itching appears.
A specific form of arthritis that affects the joints of the fingers may develop. When involved in the sacrum process, there is pain, discomfort in the back.
Hashimoto's disease
This is another ailment in which the autoimmune process in the thyroid gland is disrupted. But for this pathology, insufficient production of hormones is characteristic.
About the disease indicate:
- fatigue, weakness;
- sharp weight gain;
- hypersensitivity to cold;
- discomfort in muscle tissue;
- poor joint mobility;
- constipation
- swelling of the face.
Rheumatoid arthritis
The immune system begins to attack the shell of the joints.
The following manifestations are characteristic:
- pain, poor mobility in the joints;
- joints swell, deform;
- significantly limited movement;
- fatigue, fever;
- pineal subcutaneous formations can be observed, most often on the elbows.
Pathology diagnostics
How can you determine the development of the disease? In the diagnosis of diseases, one of the most important points is the identification of the immune factor that provoked tissue damage.
In addition, the hereditary factor is taken into account. It is very important to inform the doctor about all the symptoms that have arisen, even those that, at first glance, seem insignificant.
Be sure to conduct special tests. Autoimmune inflammatory process cannot proceed unnoticed. It allows you to identify a study on antibodies in the blood. Various immunological laboratory examination methods may also be prescribed.
Who to contact?
Quite often, people who have autoimmune processes are disturbed do not know which doctor to visit. This is not surprising, because pathology can affect a variety of systems.
The most correct way to initially contact a therapist. Depending on which organs are affected, the doctor will refer the patient to a specialist.
It can be: endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, dermatologist, hepatologist, rheumatologist, hematologist, gynecologist, urologist.
In addition, the help of a psychotherapist, psychologist and nutritionist will be required.
Treatment methods
Is it possible to deal with this pathology? To date, the treatment of the autoimmune process is carried out quite successfully thanks to numerous studies of specialists. When prescribing medications, doctors take into account that the immune system is the main factor that negatively affects the body. Accordingly, therapy is designed to reduce its activity or restore the necessary balance.
With autoimmune ailments, medications are prescribed:
- Immunosuppressants. Such drugs inhibit the functioning of the immune system. This category includes: antimetabolites, cytostatics, corticosteroid hormones, some antibiotics. The use of these funds can stop the inflammatory process, and significantly reduce the activity of the immune system. However, immunosuppressants have a number of negative reactions. After all, they affect the whole body. Sometimes blood formation may be impaired, a high susceptibility to infection may occur, and internal organs may be affected. That is why these medications can be prescribed exclusively by a doctor, after a complete check of the body. In this case, therapy must be carried out under the supervision of a competent specialist.
- Immunomodulators. These drugs are prescribed to achieve a balance between the various components of the immune system. As a rule, these medicines are of natural origin. The most commonly prescribed drugs are: Alfetin, Echinacea purpurea, Rhodiola rosea, Ginseng extract.
Lifestyle
People who have impaired autoimmune processes need to follow certain rules. They will help improve well-being and reduce the number of exacerbations. But they should be performed regularly.
Doctors recommend the following:
- Work with your nutritionist to develop the right nutrition. Patients need to consume enough vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products, whole grain foods and vegetable proteins. And it is better to refuse excess sugar, salt, saturated fats.
- Go in for sports. Be sure to discuss with your doctor what activity is recommended for you. Sports are very useful for people suffering from joint and muscle pain.
- Provide a normal rest. It allows the body to recover. In people who do not sleep enough, the severity of symptoms and stress levels increase significantly. As a rule, a person needs 7-9 hours for a good rest.
- Protect yourself from stress. Constant anxiety can lead to an exacerbation of an autoimmune disease. That is why patients need to find methods and ways to cope with stress. Quite effective techniques are: auto-suggestion, meditation, visualization.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, getting rid of an autoimmune disease is impossible. But this does not mean at all that one cannot enjoy life with such an ailment. Be sure to follow all the doctor’s recommendations, take the treatment prescribed by him, visit the doctor according to the schedule. This will significantly reduce unpleasant symptoms, which means you can continue to enjoy life.