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Autoimmune disorder

An autoimmune disorder arises from an overactive immune response of the body
against substances and tissues normally present in the body. The causes of
autoimmune disorders are still obscure, and most of these disorders are
probably the result of multiple circumstances: for example, a genetic
predisposition triggered by an infection.

Women tend to be affected more often by autoimmune disorders, nearly 79% of
autoimmune disease patients in the USA are women. It is not known why
this is the case, although hormone levels have been shown to affect the
severity of the disease.

Below is a listing of actual and suspected autoimmune disorders, with brief
descriptions and pointers to full articles.

Disorders believed to be autoimmune disorders

   * Guillain-BarrŽ syndrome (GBS), is an acquired immune-mediated
     inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system (e.g. not the
     brain and spinal column). It is also called acute inflammatory
     demyelinating polyneuropathy, acute idiopathic polyradiculneuritis,
     acute idiopathic polyneuritis and Landry's ascending paralysis.

   * Lupus erythematosus is an is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune
     disease where the immune system, for unknown reasons, becomes
     hyperactive and attacks normal tissue. This attack results in
     inflammation and brings about symptoms.

   * Multiple Sclerosis is a disorder of the central nervous system (brain
     and spinal cord), which is characterised by decreased nerve function
     due to myelin loss and secondary axonal damage.

   * Myasthenia gravis is a disorder of neuromuscular transmission leading
     to fluctuating weakness and fatigue. Weakness is caused by circulating
     antibodies that block acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular
     junction.

   * Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve that may cause a
     complete or partial loss of vision.

   * Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body's
     immune system to attack the bone joints. It is a disabling condition,
     and often thought of as a disease.

   * Graves disease is the commonest form of hyperthyroidism, and is caused
     by anti-thyroid antibodies that have the effect of stimulating the
     thyroid into overproduction of thyroid hormone

   * Type I Diabetes appears to be the result of an autoimmune attack on the
     islet cells of the pancreas.

   * aplastic anemia may sometimes be caused by an autoimmune attack on the
     bone marrow.

Disorders that might be autoimmune related

   * Interstitial cystitis, has been theorized to be an autoimmune disorder.
     It is a urinary bladder disease that is characterised by pelvic pain,
     urinary frequency (as often as every 30 minutes), pain with sexual
     intercourse, but no pain with urination.

   * Scleroderma is a chronic disease characterized by excessive deposits of
     collagen. Progressive systemic scleroderma, the serious type of the
     disease, can be fatal. The local type of the disease is not serious.

   * The term vulvodynia is used to describe pain in the vulva, often
     severe, of unknown cause. "Vulvar vestibulitis" is a related term.

   * Neuromyotonia is spontaneous muscular activity resulting from
     repetitive motor unit action potentials of peripheral origin. It
     develops as a result of both acquired or hereditary diseases. The
     acquired form is more frequent and is usually caused by antibodies
     against neuromuscular junction.

   * Vitiligo is the spontaneous loss of pigment from areas of skin. The
     pigment-free areas have few or no melanocytes. Researchers have
     detected anti-melanocyte antibodies in some cases of vitiligo, so it
     seems likely that at least some instances of this condition are the
     result of autoimmune problems.

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