...The human body is composed of systems that work hand-in-hand for the development and maintenance of the overall health of a person. These systems work in different and unique roles but help each other by working together to fight against the body’s enemies. One of the most essential systems in the human body is the immune system which consists of different cells, tissues, and organs found in various parts of the body that serves to defend and protect it against diseases and infections that are harmful to it. The immune system works constantly because every day, the human body is exposed, in many ways, to unknown infections brought about by certain pathogens around the environment. These pathogens impose threats to the body which may include...
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...The immune system’s job is to protect the body against diseases and other invaders that the body recognizes as foreign. Because of the immune system, our bodies are able to fight off illnesses such as the common cold. What would happen if the immune system started to attack healthy cells within your body for no known reason? Unfortunately, that is what happens to individuals who suffer from an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune disease describes a group of diseases that can affect the human organ systems. These diseases all have the same underlying problem. Which is the body’s immune system becomes defective and attacks the organs in which it was supposed to protect (Autoimmune Disease in Women, 2013). The cause is still unknown as to why the immune system can no longer tell the difference between healthy body tissues and antigens, but it is believed some microorganism, different drugs, and certain genes may increase the risk of developing an autoimmune disease (Dugdale, 2011). Having an autoimmune disease can be difficult for a person, especially in the early stages, because many do not know what to expect or have the basic knowledge on the disease. For many, these diseases can cause major complications and illnesses, especially when going untreated for long periods of time. Fortunately, with the advances in medicine and research, people, with autoimmune diseases, can live long, normal lives with proper support and treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control...
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...Autoimmune Diseases Your body's immune system protects you from disease and infection. But if you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake. Autoimmune diseases can affect many parts of the body. These diseases tend to run in families. Women - particularly African-American, Hispanic-American, and Native-American women - have a higher risk for some autoimmune diseases. The diseases may also have flare-ups, when they get worse, and remissions, when they all but disappear. The diseases do not usually go away, but symptoms can be treated. Multiple Sclerosis Is a disease affecting nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing problems with muscle movement,balance and vision. Every nrve fibre in the brain and spinal cord is surrounded by a layer of protein called myelin which protects the nerve and helps electrical signals from the brain travel to the rest of the body. In MS, the myelin becomes damaged. This disrupts the transfer the transfer of these nerve signals,causing a wide range of potential symptoms such as: * numbness and tingling * blurring of vision * problems with mobility and balance * muscle weakness and tightness * MS can damage nerve fibres in your brain and spinal cord, which can cause muscles to contract tightly and painfully (spasm). Your muscles may also become stiff and resistant to movement, which is known as spasticity. * Neuropathic pain – caused by damage to the nerve fibres in...
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...general, cytokines are produced by immune cells to communicate and operate the immune response mechanism. The cytokines are produced by different cell types, including lymphocytes (T and B), monocytes, and eosinophil. The cytokine binds to a specific receptor on the membrane for their target cells trigger the signal path inside cells and eventually lead to change gene expression of the target cell. 2. How do dysregulated cytokines play a role in autoimmune diseases? After obtaining the combination (interaction) between MHC and T-cell receptors, or the interaction between the co-stimulatory molecules, T cells respond by producing cytokines and chemokines secreted. Chemokines are small cytokine molecules that attract immune system cells. Overproductions of cytokines cause inflammation and organ invasion and expression in autoimmune diseases....
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...the current knowledge of the contribution of cellular and molecular components of the immune system to the pathology of type 1 diabetes Abstract An autoimmune disease resulting in insulin deficiency, Type 1 diabetes mellitus. There have been countless studies into its causes; there is still no solid answer. Previous studies strongly implicated Th1 cells to play a key role in the progression of type 1 diabetes, however, recent studies have been showing that this is inadequate to explain the pathology of the autoimmune disease Type 1 diabetes. In fact other constituents of the immune system are accountable; Th17 cells play a huge role in the cellular pathology of Type 1 diabetes. Introduction Type 1 Diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune disease which results from faults in immune response thus activating self-destroying T cells working against beta cells that produce insulin in the pancreas, causing a deficiency in insulin. Patients of Type 1 diabetes are required to inject insulin daily. Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes can occur at any age; however it is a chronic disease that is most common in childhood (Atkins et al. 2014.) Discoveries from epidemiological studies in humans with type 1 diabetes have shown that islet cell destruction goes through a number of stages (Campbell et al. 1990) the consequent low levels of insulin lead to higher levels of blood glucose. Common symptoms of this disease are frequent urination, increased thirst and weight gain. Before symptoms become present...
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...Hyperthyroidism takes place in a person’s thyroid gland. Your thyroid is supposed to produce hormones that are in charge of controlling your metabolism, breathing, heart rate, and many more bodily functions. A person with hyperthyroidism has an overactive thyroid which causes the processes the thyroid is responsible for to speed up. In the United States alone, 20 million people experience some kind of thyroid disease, and 60 percent of those people are unaware that they have any condition at all. Women are more likely to developing a thyroid disease than men. There is no concrete evidence as to why women are more likely to develop hyperthyroidism, but many believe it is because it is an autoimmune disease which women are more susceptible to....
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...Celiac Disease By Ella Jeanseau, Due April 13th, #25 For years, people have depended on gluten to thicken and bind all types of foods such as sauces, bread, pastries, and much more. There are so many delicious foods to eat, but for people with Celiac Disease (CD), using gluten is not an option. Gluten is a mixture of proteins found in Wheat, Barley, Rye, and Malt. When people with the autoimmune disorder, CD, digest gluten, the immune system attacks, and causes damage to the lining in the small intestine. CD has been a particularly new subject to studying doctors over the past years. Researchers are still trying to find more details on how CD is working. Some say it may be related to a type of “gut bacteria”...
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...Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the immune system of the host. It causes damage to the small intestine if the person ingests even a small crumb of something that contains the protein ‘gluten’. Gluten can be found in barley, oats, rye, and wheat. It is very common that people who have celiac disease don’t even know it. Worldwide, it affects 1 in 100 people and in the U.S. two and a half million people are undiagnosed and are very much so at risk. The longer you go without knowing you have the disease, it can cause an even high chance of not being able to reverse the damage done to the small intestine. When gluten is ingested into the body, for some peculiar reason the immune system registers the protein as something harmful to the...
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...SLE is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the immune system. A person’s immune system is made up of a group of cells, tissues and organs. The immune system protects the body different kinds of infections. This autoimmune disease can affect almost every major organ system in the body, including inflammation of the tissue or organ, organ damage, or complete disfunction of the organ. SLE varies dramatically in severity. This type of disease can range from mild to fatal. The major organ systems that could potentially be affected include: brain, heart lungs, kidneys, intestines, eyes and mouth, muscles and bones, skin, and blood. For this reason, it is extremely pertinent to report any and all symptoms to a medical...
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...Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, affecting the brain and spinal cord. MS affects approximately 400,000 people in the United States alone. The onset of MS is usually between 20 and 40 years of age and is more common in women; men may have a more severe progressive course (Luzzio, 2013). Life expectancy is shortened in persons with MS, and the survival rate is linked to disability. Death usually results from secondary complications but can also be due to primary complications unrelated to MS. The occurrence rate of MS is affected by gene-environment interactions in susceptible individuals (Huether & McCance, 2012). Definition of Disorder Multiple sclerosis is a progressive, inflammatory, demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), which can affect the peripheral nervous system (PNS) as well. This disorder affects movements, sensation, and bodily functions (National Multiple Sclerosis Society [NMSS], 2012). There are several types of MS, these include: mixed (general), spinal, and cerebellar. General MS affects both the CNS and PNS, while spinal and cerebellar affect the CNS. Causes and Etiological Factors The cause of MS is unknown, but multiple factors act together to trigger or bring about the disease. Some of these causes include: a virus causing demyelization, violent trauma to the head or spinal cord, and or an immune system attack which causes the body to attack the myelin...
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...antibody protein production. They produce antibodies that help in the defence against disease. Lymphocytes include B cells and T cells. T cells in the thymus develop the ability to recognize and destroy body cells that are infected by microorganisms. Mature B and T cells move into the lymph and blood where they help fight infection. 4. Pathogens can be transmitted directly via hands, this occurs when there is physical contact between...
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...Hashimoto’s Disease Rita Mujica I. Definition Hashimoto’s disease, also called chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is a condition in which there is inflammation of the thyroid gland as a result of the immune system attacking the gland (1, 2). Hashimoto’s disease affects women 10 times more often than men, and most often occurs between the ages of 30-50 (3). II. Tissue(s) specifically affected Hashimoto’s disease mainly affects the thyroid gland. It causes the immune system to targets cells that have the ability to make thyroid hormone (4). III. Symptoms • Fatigue and sluggishness (2) • Increased sensitivity to cold (2) • Constipation (2, 4) • Pale, puffy skin (4) • Unexplained weight gain — occurring infrequently and rarely exceeding 10 to 20 pounds, most of which is fluid (2) • Joint and muscle pain (4) • Pain and stiffness in the joints and swelling...
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...Lupus an Autoimmune Disease Human Body Professor E. December 2012 Abstract Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is a complex disease characterized by the appearance of autoantibodies against nuclear antigens and the involvement of multiple organ systems, including the kidneys. The exact events that trigger the onset of clinical manifestations of SLE are not yet well understood. However, research using various mouse strains impulsive and inducible lupus in the last two decades has provided insights into the role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of this disease. According to our present understanding, the immunological defects resulting in the development of SLE can be categorized into two phases: (a) systemic autoimmunity resulting in increased serum antinuclear and antiglomerular autoantibodies and (b) immunological events that occur within the target organ and result in end organ damage. TABLE OF CONTENT Abstract…………………………………………………………………….....2 Introduction…………………………………………………………………..4 Discussion……………………………………………………………………..5 What is lupus? Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease, which causes inflammation of various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints and kidneys. The body’s immune system normally makes proteins called antibodies to protect the body against viruses, bacteria and other foreign materials. These foreign materials are called antigens. In an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell the difference...
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...surrounding tissues. This can also affect the organs. This is resulting in painful immobility, in the fingers, wrists, feet, and ankles. The immune system is designed towards protecting our well-being by attacking foreign cells like viruses and bacteria. Instead it attacks the body’s own tissues, a thin membrane that lines the joints. RA is a chronic disease meaning it can’t be cured. In some individuals the disorder is continuously active and gets worse over time. Others have long periods of remission. The cause of the disorder The cause of RA is still unknown. Infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi have long been suspected, none has been proven as the cause. What happen is the white blood cells over react to stimuli inside the body. Instead of protecting the body like it normally do from disease or infection, the immune system attacks and destroys the body’s tissues that are healthy. This chronic inflammatory condition that also effects other tissue. Autoimmune diseases often run in families many may develop different type of autoimmune disease. This genetic difference puts related family members at an increased risk for one or more autoimmune diseases. RA often improves during pregnancy. Certain proteins passed between the mother and unborn child may be responsible for the improvement. It may also change the mother’s immune system during the pregnancy in a way. Both genetics and environmental factors combined appear to be the main triggers of RA. Identify signs...
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...Hashimoto’s Disease Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the production of hormones that are produced in thyroid gland. The thyroid is responsible for making the hormones called T3 and T4. These hormones are needed so that your body knows how to use energy. When a person has this autoimmune disease, their immune system has sent out the wrong information to the body. The body then produces antibodies that attack the thyroid. This can cause long term damage to the thyroid causing the thyroid to stop or to slow down production of the hormones that are needed in the body. “An underactive thyroid causes every function of the body to slow down, such as heart rate, brain function, and the rate your body turns food into energy. Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of an underactive thyroid.” (Women’s Health.gov). The symptoms of this disease are very lengthy. The most common symptoms that have been reported are: fatigue, exhaustion, depression, difficulty remembering, and sensitivity to cold, weight gain, hair loss, thin hair, joint pain, tendinitis, swelling or edema, infertility, raspy or hoarse voice, allergies, chronic infections and nodules or tumors on the thyroid gland. (Shomon, 82) There are many, many symptoms that often go undiagnosed and are treated as a separate illnesses or malady. This disease is often termed as invisible because the person can appear perfectly healthy from the outside although they may be suffering from many symptoms that...
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