What are the types of autoimmune disorders?
There are more than 80 types of autoimmune disorders.
Asthma & Respiratory Conditions
Asthma
Asthma is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes with increased production of sticky secretions inside the tubes.
People with respiratory conditions or asthma experience symptoms when the airways tighten, inflame, or fill with mucus. Some people with asthma may go for extended periods without having any symptoms, interrupted by periodic worsening of their symptoms called asthma attacks. Others might have asthma symptoms every day. In addition, some people may only have asthma during exercise, or asthma with viral infections like colds.
Mild asthma attacks are generally more common. Usually, the airways open up within a few minutes to a few hours. Severe attacks are less common but last longer and require immediate medical help. It is important to recognize and treat even mild asthma symptoms to help you prevent severe episodes and keep asthma under better control.
Symptoms of an asthma attack include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness/pain/pressure.
Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP)
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most common medical conditions worldwide, reported to affect almost 12% of the adult population.
It is characterized by inflammation of the nose and sinus cavities. About 20% of patients with CRS have nasal polyps, benign growths in the nasal cavities that are thought to originate from the ethmoid sinuses. Nasal polyps tend to be present in both sides of the nasal cavity. One-sided nasal polyps may need to be investigated further as they might be malignant nasal or sinus tumors.
The exact cause of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is unknown but biopsy of nasal polyp tissue in the western population demonstrates an elevated allergic type of cells known as eosinophils. Infection may also play a role, especially by bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. Typically, nasal polyps develop in adulthood in the 30s or 40s.
Symptoms of CRSwNP include nasal drainage, nasal congestion, facial pressure or pain, and a decreased sense of smell lasting for more than 12 weeks. Of these symptoms, nasal congestion and loss of smell tend to be the most bothersome.
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is a disease characterized by the growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells (granulomas) in any part of your body — most commonly the lungs and lymph nodes. But it can also affect the eyes, skin, heart and other organs, like alopecia areata.
The cause of sarcoidosis disease is unknown, but experts think it results from the body's immune system responding to an unknown substance.
Some research suggests that infectious agents, chemicals, dust and a potential abnormal reaction to the body's own proteins (self-proteins) could be responsible for the formation of granulomas in people who are genetically predisposed.
There is no cure for sarcoidosis, but most people do very well with no treatment or only modest treatment. In some cases, sarcoidosis goes away on its own. However, sarcoidosis may last for years and may cause organ damage.
Signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis vary depending on which organs are affected. Sarcoidosis disease sometimes develops gradually and produces symptoms that last for years. Other times, symptoms can appear suddenly and then disappear just as quickly. Many people with sarcoidosis have no symptoms. General symptoms can begin with fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, and pain and swelling in joints such as the ankles.
Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease (SSc-ILD)
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disease that can affect various internal organs. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most common cause of death in patients with SSc, as well as the most common complication of SSc. Interstitial Lung Disease causes inflammation and scarring of the lungs, and is more likely to develop early in the course of SSc.
Standard treatment has traditionally been a combination of immunosuppressants. However, if these treatments do not stop progression of lung function, your healthcare provider may consider a biologic drug such as tocilizumab (Actemra). There is no cure for the disease, and the course of treatment can be somewhat unpredictable with some patients experiencing a slow decline over a long period of time, and some patients experiencing a rapid decline shortly after diagnosis.
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease. Interstitial lung disease is a common manifestion of SSc, and a leading cause of death. Symptoms of SSc-ILD include shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue and cough.
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Immune System Disorders
In response to an unknown trigger, the immune system may begin producing antibodies that instead of fighting infections, attack the body’s own tissues. Treatment for autoimmune with immunology diseases generally focuses on reducing immune system activity. Here's a guide to understanding immunology.
Examples of autoimmune diseases not covered elsewhere include:
Lupus Nephritis
Lupus nephritis is a type of kidney disease caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus). Kidney disease caused by lupus may get worse over time and lead to kidney failure. If your kidneys fail, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain your health.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
The immune system attacks the nerves controlling muscles in the legs and sometimes the arms and upper body. With Guillain Barre Syndrome, weakness results, which can sometimes be severe. Filtering the blood with a procedure called plasmapheresis is the main treatment for Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Infantile Spasms
These specific types of seizures are sudden, uncontrolled movements of a child’s neck, body, arms, and legs. They last only for a few seconds. Spasms are most common during the early morning or when a child wakes up from a nap.
Spasms can look different in each child. But you may notice any of the following symptoms:
- Repetitive forward head nodding or bobbing
- Bowing from the waist when sitting
- Drawing up of knees when lying down
- Extending or stiffening of the neck, trunk, arms, and legs
- Crossing arms across body as if self-hugging
- Thrusting arms to the side, elbows bent
Nephrotic Syndrome
A condition marked by very high levels of protein in the urine; low levels of protein in the blood; swelling, especially around the eyes, feet, and hands; and high cholesterol. Nephrotic syndrome results from damage to the kidneys’ glomeruli (the singular form is glomerulus). Glomeruli are a network of capillaries that filter waste and excess water from the blood and send them to the bladder as urine.
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Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. The signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis can vary widely based upon the amount of damage and nerves affected. Treatment can relieve MS symptoms and delay disease progression.
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) tend to have their first symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40. Sometimes the symptoms may improve, but then come back. Some may come and go, while others linger.
Keep track of your symptoms to help your doctor monitor the course of the disease and the effectiveness of the treatment.
Early Symptoms of MS:
- Blurred or double vision
- Thinking problems
- Clumsiness or a lack of coordination
- Loss of balance
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness in an arm or leg
Once a diagnosis of MS has been made by a neurologist specializing in the disease, there are 4 typical patterns that the symptoms follow, however all symptoms can regress and progress unexpectedly;
Relapsing-remitting (RRMS): This is a pattern of relapses alternating with remissions that can last months or years
Primary-progressive (PPMS): This is a pattern of gradual disease progression with no remissions or obvious relapses
Secondary-progressive (SPMS): This is a pattern of relapses alternating with remissions followed by gradual progression of the disease
Progressive-relapsing (PRMS): This is a pattern of gradual disease with sudden relapses
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Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic, recurring disease that is identified by one or more raised, thick, pink to red, itchy patches that have silvery scales with a distinct border between the patch and normal skin.
The rash can appear anywhere but is usually on the scalp, elbows, knees, lower back and genitals. Occasionally, it can also affect the fingernails.
The rash can heal and come back and usually develops in early adulthood. Psoriasis can itch, burn, or sting but is not contagious and cannot spread from person to person.
The cause of psoriasis is unknown, however, research has shown that the disease is hereditary. Lifestyle changes such as diet can help with psoriasis symptoms.
Psoriasis is the development of new skin cells before the old skin cells can shed from the body. Normally, skin cells are replaced every 28 to 30 days, however with psoriasis; new cells grow and move to the surface of the skin every 3 to 4 days. This build-up of new skin cells pushing against the old skin cells is the cause of the hallmark silvery scales of psoriasis.
Learn more about biologics and psoriatic arthritis!
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Curious about other skin conditions? Learn more about eczema and atopic dermatitis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is chronic disease of the joints. RA causes the joints to become swollen (inflamed), stiff, and painful.
Over time, inflammation may destroy the joint tissues which can limit daily activities and make it hard to walk and/or use the hands.
The disease is more common in women than in men, and typically begins between the ages of 40 to 60.
The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is unknown. RA is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body's natural defense system attacks the joints.
Components of the immune system attack the soft tissue that lines the joints (synovial tissue) and can also attack connective tissue in many other parts of the body such as blood vessels and lungs.
Eventually cartilage, bone, and ligaments of the joint erode (wear away) which causes deformity, instability, and scarring within the joint. Many factors including genetic predisposition may influence the pattern of the disease.
Unknown environmental factors (such as viral infections and cigarette smoking) are also thought to play a role.
The main symptoms of RA include pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints of the hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, knees, or neck. In rare but severe cases the disease may also affect the eyes, lungs, heart, nerves, or blood vessels.
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Rheumatologic Disorders
Rheumatologic diseases can cause damage to your vital organs, including the lungs, heart, nervous system, kidneys, skin and eyes.
Rheumatologic diseases may result in conditions so severe that those who suffer from them cannot bathe or dress themselves. Additionally, a simple task such as walking can cause pain and be difficult or even impossible.
Some conditions include:
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is the most common type of lupus. SLE is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own tissues, causing widespread inflammation and tissue damage in the affected organs. It can affect the joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels. There is no cure for lupus, but medical interventions and lifestyle changes can help control it.
Myositis
Myositis refers to any condition causing inflammation in muscles. Weakness, swelling, and pain are the most common myositis symptoms. Myositis causes include infection, injury, autoimmune conditions, and drug side effects. Treatment of myositis varies according to the cause.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis is a group of related childhood diseases that begin by age 16 and involve persistent or recurring inflammation of the joints. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis may also affect other organs or connective tissue. JIA is not the same thing as adult Rheumatoid Arthritis, although there are similarities.
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Other Autoimmune Disorders
Other autoimmune disorders include:
- Addison disease
- Celiac disease
- Graves disease
- Hashimoto thyroiditis
- Myasthenia gravis
- Pernicious anemia
- Reactive arthritis
- Sjögren syndrome
- Type I diabetes
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