Autoimmune Diseases

“Women develop many types of autoimmune diseases much more often than men. And if you have one autoimmune disease, you are more likely to get another”.1

Umbrella
What may the Autoimmune Diseases Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Autoimmune Diseases/Disorders
  • Celiac Disease
  • Graves’ Disease
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome
  • Hashimoto’s Disease
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Multiply Sclerosis
  • Myasthenia Gravis
  • Psoriasis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Scleroderma
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  • Type 1 Diabetes

Definition

What are autoimmune diseases?

DotS the definition of autoimmune diseases (ADs) may vary. The (United States) National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases’ (NIAMS) definition is:

“Your immune system is the network of cells and tissues in your body that work together to defend you from viruses, bacteria, and infection. It tries to identify and destroy the invaders that might hurt you.

In autoimmune diseases, proteins known as autoantibodies target the body’s own healthy tissues by mistake, signaling the body to attack them”.2

Types

What are some of the more common autoimmune diseases?

In Autoimmune Diseases the (United States) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) elaborate on:

“More than 80 diseases occur as a result of the immune system attacking the body’s own organs, tissues, and cells. Some of the more common autoimmune diseases include type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and inflammatory bowel disease”.3

In Autoimmune Diseases: In-Depth – Types of Autoimmune Diseases the NIAMS explain:

“There are several types of autoimmune diseases. These include the following:

  • Alopecia Areata…
  • Pemphigus…
  • Psoriasis…
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis…
  • Scleroderma…
  • Sjögren’s Syndrome…
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus…
  • Vitiligo…”.4

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

Are chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, autoimmune diseases?

In Autoimmune Diseases – Are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Autoimmune Diseases? the Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov (OWH) note:

“Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME/CFS, and fibromyalgia (feye-broh-meye-AL-juh) (FM) are not autoimmune diseases. But they often have symptoms of some autoimmune disease, like being tired all the time and pain”.5

Cause

What causes autoimmune diseases?

The NIAID explain:

“Although the causes of many autoimmune diseases remain unknown, a person’s genes in combination with infections and other environmental exposures are likely to play a significant role in disease development. Treatments are available for many autoimmune diseases, but cures have yet to be discovered”.6

Common or Not

How common are autoimmune diseases?

In Autoimmune Diseases: How Common Are Autoimmune Diseases? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic elaborate on:

“Many autoimmune diseases are more common in women than in men. The diseases are common — 1 in 15 people in the U.S. have an autoimmune disease. One million people in the U.S. have lupus and 1.4 million have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis”.7

Women

Is there an association between women and autoimmune diseases?

In Autoimmune Diseases: Summary – Who Is At Risk for Autoimmune Diseases? the (United States) MedlinePlus note:

Autoimmune Diseases“Women develop many types of autoimmune diseases much more often than men. And if you have one autoimmune disease, you are more likely to get another”.8

In Autoimmune Awareness Month: Facts About Autoimmune Diseases the Autoimmune Association note:

  • “80% of people living with autoimmune disease are female
  • Autoimmune disease tends to cluster in families. If one person in your family has an autoimmune disease, it’s likely that someone else does, too — although they might not have the same disease”.9

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have an autoimmune disease?

If you think you have an autoimmune disease it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Autoimmune Diseases – How Do I Find Out If I Have An Autoimmune Disease?  the OWH elaborate on:

“Getting a diagnosis can be a long and stressful process. Although each autoimmune disease is unique, many share some of the same symptoms. And many symptoms of autoimmune diseases are the same for other types of health problems too. This makes it hard for doctors to find out if you really have an autoimmune disease, and which one it might be. But if you are having symptoms that bother you, it’s important to find the cause. Don’t give up if you’re not getting any answers”.10

The OWH also note:

  • “Get a second, third, or fourth opinion if need be. If your doctor doesn’t take your symptoms seriously or tells you they are stress-related or in your head, see another doctor”.10

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Autoimmune Diseases?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Autoimmune Diseases Links?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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New or Updated

  1. 5 Common Autoimmune Diseases
  2. 7 Risk Factors for Autoimmune Disease
  3. Aarda.org [American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association]
  4. Arthritis: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
  5. Autoimmune Awareness Month [March]
    Autoimmune Diseases
  6. Autoimmune Disease Basics
  7. Autoimmune Disease List
  8. Autoimmune Disease List
  9. Autoimmune Diseases
  10. Autoimmune Diseases
  11. Autoimmune Diseases
  12. Autoimmune Diseases
  13. Autoimmune Diseases
  14. Autoimmune Diseases
  15. Autoimmune Diseases Basics
  16. Autoimmune Diseases: What You Need To Know
  17. Autoimmune Disorders
  18. Autoimmune Organizations
  19. Autoimmune Pancreatitis
  20. Autoimmune vs Autoinflammatory Disease: A Comparative Look
  21. Autoimmune.org [Autoimmune Association, United States]
  22. Autoimmuneinstitute.org [Autoimmune Institute, United States]
  23. Can Vitamin D Supplements Prevent Autoimmune Disease?
  24. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  25. Commonly Asked Questions About Autoimmune Diseases
  26. Coverage and Access Issues Affecting Women Living With Autoimmune Diseases
  27. Diagnosis Tips
  28. Improving Outcomes for Women with Autoimmune Diseases and ConditionsDisorders of the Immune System
  29. Fibromyalgia
  30. Finding the Right Doctor
  31. Graves Disease
  32. Graves’ Disease
  33. Hashimoto Disease
  34. Hashimoto’s Disease
  35. How To Boost Your Immune System
  36. Immune System and Disorders
  37. Improving Outcomes for Women With Autoimmune Diseases and Conditions: A Call To Action
  38. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  39. Living Well With Lupus: A Toolkit for Women
  40. Lupus
  41. Lupus
  42. Mayo Clinic Minute: Psoriasis of the Scalp
  43. Multiply Sclerosis
  44. Myasthenia Gravis
  45. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  46. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  47. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Women’s Health and Complementary Approaches
  48. Plant Paradox Diet: Does It Work for Weight Loss?
  49. Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases (PIDDs)
  50. Psoriasis
  51. Psoriasis
  52. Resource Center
  53. Sjögren’s Syndrome: What You Need To Know
  54. SWHR Adds Lupus To the Women’s Health Equity Initiative
  55. Swhr.org [Society for Women’s Health Research, United States]
  56. Symptoms & Signs of Autoimmune Diseases
  57. The Impact of Coverage Policies on Women With Autoimmune Diseases and Conditions
  58. Thyroid Disease
  59. Thyroid Diseases
  60. Understanding Autoimmune Diseases When Your Body Turns Against You
  61. Utilization Management Policies and Autoimmune Diseases: A Women’s Health Issue
  62. Your Body’s Disease Defenses: Building and Boosting the Immune System
  63. What Is Autoimmunity?
  64. Which Doctors Diagnose & Treat Autoimmune Disease?
  65. Women & Autoimmunity

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Autoimmune Diseases: Summary. Last Updated: 15 October 2021. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/autoimmunediseases.html Accessed: 07 October 2023
  2. Autoimmune Diseases: Overview of Autoimmune Diseases. Last Reviewed: March 2023. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/autoimmune-diseases Accessed: 07 October 2023
  3. Autoimmune Diseases. Content Last Reviewed: 06 October 2022. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-diseases Accessed: 07 October 2023
  4. Autoimmune Diseases: In-Depth – Types of Autoimmune Diseases. Last Reviewed: March 2023. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/autoimmune-diseases/advanced#tab-types Accessed: 07 October 2023
  5. Autoimmune Diseases: Are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Autoimmune Diseases? Page Last Updated: 22 February 2021. Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/autoimmune-diseases.html Accessed: 07 October 2023
  6. Autoimmune Diseases: Overview. Content Last Reviewed: 06 October 2022. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-diseases Accessed: 07 October 2023
  7. Autoimmune Diseases: How Common Are Autoimmune Diseases? Last Reviewed 21 July 2021. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21624-autoimmune-diseases Accessed: 07 October 2023
  8. Autoimmune Diseases: Summary – Who Is At Risk for Autoimmune Diseases? Last Updated: 15 October 2021. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/autoimmunediseases.html Accessed: 07 October 2023
  9. Autoimmune Diseases: How Do I Find Out If I Have An Autoimmune Disease? Page Last Updated: 22 February 2021. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/autoimmune-diseases.html Accessed: 07 October 2023
  10. Autoimmune Awareness Month: Facts About Autoimmune Diseases. Autoimmune Association https://autoimmune.org/autoimmune-awareness-month/ Accessed: 07 October 2023
  11. Autoimmune Diseases: How Do I Find Out If I Have An Autoimmune Disease? Page Last Updated: 22 February 2021. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/autoimmune-diseases.html Accessed: 07 October 2023
Topic Last Updated: 12 October 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 07 October 2023

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