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:

“Autoimmune diseases refer to problems with the immune system, which usually fights off viruses, bacteria, and infection. The problem causes your immune cells to attack your body by mistake. These diseases can affect almost any part of the body”.2

Types

What are some of the more common autoimmune diseases?

In Autoimmune Diseases: Overview 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:

“Some examples of autoimmune diseases include:

  • Alopecia Areata
  • Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
  • Autoimmune Hepatitis
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Diabetes (Type 1)
  • Glomerulonephritis
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
  • Graves’ Disease
  • Guillain-Barré Syndrome
  • Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
  • Myasthenia Gravis
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Pemphigus/Pemphigoid
  • Pernicious Anemia
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa
  • Polymyositis
  • Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
  • Psoriasis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Scleroderma/Systemic Sclerosis
  • Sjögren’s Syndrome
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  • Some forms of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
  • Some forms of Myocarditis
  • Some forms of Thyroiditis
  • Some forms of Uveitis
  • 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

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”.9

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 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

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

  1. 7 Risk Factors for Autoimmune Disease
  2. Aarda.org [American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association]
  3. Arthritis: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
  4. Autoimmune Disease Facts
  5. Autoimmune Disease List
  6. Autoimmune Disease List
  7. Autoimmune Diseases
  8. Autoimmune Diseases
  9. Autoimmune Diseases
  10. Autoimmune Diseases
  11. Autoimmune Diseases
  12. Autoimmune Diseases
  13. Autoimmune Diseases Basics
  14. Autoimmune Organizations
  15. Autoimmune Pancreatitis
  16. Autoimmune vs Autoinflammatory Disease: A Comparative Look
  17. Autoimmune.org [Autoimmune Association, United States]
  18. Autoimmuneinstitute.org [Autoimmune Institute, United States]
  19. Can Vitamin D Supplements Prevent Autoimmune Disease?
  20. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  21. Commonly Asked Questions About Autoimmune Diseases
  22. Diagnosis Tips
  23. Disorders of the Immune System
  24. Fibromyalgia
  25. Finding the Right Doctor
  26. Graves Disease
  27. Graves’ Disease
  28. Hashimoto Disease
  29. Hashimoto’s Disease
  30. How To Boost Your Immune System
  31. Immune System and Disorders
  32. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  33. Living Well With Lupus: A Toolkit for Women
  34. Lupus
  35. Lupus
  36. Multiply Sclerosis
  37. Myasthenia Gravis
  38. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  39. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science
  40. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  41. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Women’s Health and Complementary Approaches
  42. Plant Paradox Diet: Does It Work for Weight Loss?
  43. Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases (PIDDs)
  44. Psoriasis
  45. Resource Center
  46. Sjögren’s Syndrome: What You Need To Know
  47. Symptoms & Signs of Autoimmune Diseases
  48. Thyroid Disease
  49. Thyroid Diseases
  50. Understanding Autoimmune Diseases When Your Body Turns Against You
  51. Utilization Management Policies and Autoimmune Diseases: A Women’s Health Issue
  52. What Is Autoimmunity?
  53. Which Doctors Diagnose & Treat Autoimmune Disease?
  54. 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: 15 November 2022
  2. Autoimmune Diseases: Basics – What Are Autoimmune Diseases? Last Reviewed: March 2016. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/autoimmune-diseases Accessed: 15 November 2022
  3. Autoimmune Diseases: Overview. Content Last Reviewed on 06 October 2022. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-diseases Accessed: 15 November 2022
  4. Autoimmune Diseases: In-Depth – Types of Autoimmune Diseases. Last Reviewed: March 2016. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/autoimmune-diseases/advanced#tab-types Accessed: 15 November 2022
  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: 15 November 2022
  6. Autoimmune Diseases: Overview. Content Last Reviewed on 06 October 2022. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-diseases Accessed: 15 November 2022
  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: 15 November 2022
  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: 15 November 2022
  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: 15 November 2022
  10. 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: 15 November 2022
Topic Last Updated: 15 November 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 15 November 2022

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