Addison’s disease is an uncommon autoimmune disease, characterized by chronic and insufficient functioning of the outer layer of the adrenal gland. The adrenal glands are located atop each kidney and produce vital glucocorticoid hormones. Because of this chronic under-functioning of the adrenal glands, persons with Addison’s disease have a deficiency in the production of glucocorticoid hormones. Glucocorticoid hormones are involved in how the body utilizes and stores carbohydrates, protein, fat and blood sugar.
The adrenal gland also plays a role in the immune response. A deficiency in glucocorticoid hormones causes an increase in the release of sodium and a decreased release of potassium in the urine, sweat, saliva, stomach and intestines. These changes can cause low blood pressure and increased water excretion that can in some cases lead to severe dehydration.
Although there are many underlying factors in the development of adrenal insufficiencies, including destruction of the adrenal cortex due to diseases such as tuberculosis, the growth of tumors, non-autoimmune diseases amyloidosis and adrenoleukodystrophy, and atrophy of the gland due to prolonged use of cortical steroids used in the treatment of other conditions and illnesses, most cases of Addison’s disease are thought to be autoimmune in nature.
Agammaglobulinemia is an immune disorder related to antibody deficiency (hypogammaglobulinemia) and is manifested in a variety of immune deficiency disorders in which the immune system is compromised. This group of immune deficiencies may be the consequence of an inherited condition, an impaired immune system from known or unknown cause, a relation to autoimmune diseases, or a malignancy.
Immunoglobulin deficiencies may be referred to by many different names, as there are several variables within the separate but related immune disorders; and there are also many subgroups. Antibody deficiency, immunoglobulin deficiency, and gamma globulin deficiency are all synonyms for hypogammaglobulinemia.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder which is characterized by hair loss. Alopecia areata is found equally in both men and women. The disease can occur at any age, including childhood.
The hair loss may result in round bald patches on the scalp (alopecia areata) or involve the loss of all facial and scalp hair (alopecia totalis). The loss of all body hair is called alopecia universalis. Alopecia postpartum is characterized by loss of significant hair following pregnancy and is usually temporary. When a patient is diagnosed with alopecia, the first question is usually about whether or not the hair will regrow. The answer is usually vague as each case is different. Regrowth of hair may occur in some patients; and in other, the hair loss is permanent.
Amyloidosis is a disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. The cause of primary amyloidosis is unknown. The condition is related to abnormal and excess production of antibodies by a type of immune cell called plasma cells. Clumps of abnormal proteins build up in certain organs. This reduces their ability to work correctly. Symptoms depend on the organs affected. This disease can affect the tongue, intestines, skeletal and smooth muscles, nerves, skin, ligaments, heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys. Symptoms include: abnormal heart rhythm, fatigue, numbness of hands or feet, shortness of breath, hoarseness or changing voice, and joint pain.
Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease and is a type of arthritis of the spine. It causes swelling between your vertebrae, which are the disks that make up your spine, and in the joints between your spine and pelvis. The disease is more common and more severe in men. It often runs in families. Early symptoms include back pain and stiffness. These problems often start in late adolescence or early adulthood. Over time, ankylosing spondylitis can fuse your vertebrae together, limiting movement. Symptoms can worsen or improve or stop altogether. The disease has no cure, but medicines can relieve the pain, swelling and other symptoms. Exercise can also help.
Anti-GBM/Anti-TBM nephritis: Anti–glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibody disease is a rare autoimmune disorder caused by autoantibodies that attack the walls of small blood vessels (capillaries) in the kidney. Anti-GBM disease that only affects the kidneys is called anti-GBM
glomerulonephritis. This is a form of inflammation (-itis), which is injury to tissue caused by white blood cells (leukocytes). Glomerulonephritis due to Anti-GBM antibody disease is rare. It occurs in less than 1 case per million persons. It affects mostly young, white men aged 15-35. After age 50, women are more likely to be affected. The sexes overall are affected approximately at a male-female ratio of 3:2. It is seen very rarely in children. Some evidence suggests that genetics may play an important role in this disease. 60-70% of patients have both lung and kidney involvement. This is called
Goodpasture’s Syndrome. 20-40% have only kidney involvement, which is called “renal limited” anti-GBM disease. Symptoms may include: chills and fever, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, chest pain, bleeding may cause anemia, respiratory failure, and kidney failure. Treatment of anti-GBM disease is focused on removing the anti-GBM antibody from the blood.
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune syndrome caused by antiphospholipid antibodies. These antibodies are often referred to by different terms, including anticardiolipin antibody, lupus anticoagulant, and antiphospholipid antibody. APS can be primary or secondary, and also can be referred to by the name Hughes syndrome or “sticky blood”.
Various manifestations of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome include: recurrent fetal loss; thrombocytopenia; large vessel occlusive syndromes (deep venous thromboses and pulmonary embolism); cardiac disease, skin manifestations (livedo reticularis, digital ischemia, cutaneous necrosis); ocular disease (visual disturbances, episcleritis (inflammation of the sclera) and keratitis (inflammation of the cornea); central nervous system syndromes as cerebral ischemia, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or venous thrombosis) and other cns presentations including dementia, migraine and seizure; Disorders of mentation (forgetfulness and confusion). A patient with these varied neurologic symptoms may be misdiagnosed wit multiple sclerosis.
There is a strong familial association which has been demonstrated. APS is of utmost importance to the clinician interested in women’s health issues. The disease occurs more frequently in women, plays a major role in fetal loss, and is associated with numerous serious and predominantly female disease states.
Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the liver. It usually occurs by itself, but it can coexist with other autoimmune diseases. The male/female ratio is 8:1, and it most often occurs in persons of Northern European extraction. It is usually classified as Type I or Type II. Type I is the most common and occurs at any age, most commonly in women. Type II is less common, affecting mostly girls between the ages of two to fourteen, although adults can have it too.
Fatigue is the most common symptom and other symptoms include an enlarged liver, jaundice, itching skin rashes, joint pain, and abdominal pain. These symptoms range from mild to severe and can lead to cirrhosis (scarring and hardening) of the liver and may eventually lead to liver failure. Many people with autoimmune hepatitis experience remission within two years of starting treatment. Sometimes the disease will return so periodic treatment may be necessary.
Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) is an unusual form of progressive non-age-related sensorineural hearing loss and sometimes vertigo. It occurs in both ears with cochlear and vestibular symptoms that progress over a period of weeks to months and affects hearing, and often balance function, in both ears. The classic presentation is with bilateral fluctuating but progressive sensorineural hearing loss leading on to severe deafness. Tinnitus (ringing, tinkling, buzzing, or other sounds in the ear) and intra-aural pressure may occur, as well as dizziness or vertigo.
Axonal & neuronal neuropathy (AMAN) is a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune disease. It is characterized by acute paralysis and loss of reflexes without sensory loss. The syndrome typically presents as a progressive symmetric paralysis (loss of muscle function) with areflexia (absence of neurologic reflexes such as the knee jerk reaction), often causing respiratory failure. Antibodies attack the coating of the motor neurons without causing inflammation. It does not affect sensory neurons, so sensation remains intact despite loss of movement.
Baló’s concentric sclerosis (BCS) is a rare disorder usually considered a variant of
multiple sclerosis (MS). However, its correlation with MS remains unclear and controversial. Baló’s disease is a demyelinating (damage to the nerve sheath) disorder of the central nervous system in which the myelin (the fatty substance covering nerve fibers) is damaged. It is characterized by a severe, rapidly evolving clinical course, and by unusual nervous system changes. Often large tumor-like plaques (lesions) that are found to destroy the sheath of the nerve are present. Studies indicate that autoimmune factors may play a role in its development. Autoimmune disorders are caused when the body’s natural defenses against “foreign” or invading organisms begin to attack healthy tissue for unknown reasons resulting in inflammation (swelling). Baló’s disease appears to be most common in Asians and in people from the Philippines; it affects males and females with similar frequency. Baló’s disease usually appears in adulthood but childhood cases have been reported.
Behcet’s disease is a chronic, multisystem autoimmune disease involving inflammation of blood vessels, called vasculitis, throughout the body. It is a rare disease, most commonly found in the Eastern Mediterranean countries and in eastern Asia. It affects more young men than women in those countries, but in the US it affects more women, most often in their 20s and 30s. The central nervous system, heart, and intestinal tract may be involved. Because this disease is so rare and it’s symptoms overlap those of other diseases, it may be very difficult to diagnose. Spontaneous remission may occur, which can add to the difficulty in diagnosis.
Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disorder. If you have it, your immune system attacks healthy cells in your skin and mouth, causing blisters and sores. No one knows the cause. Bullous pemphigoid does not spread from person to person. It does not appear to be inherited. But some people’s genes put them more at risk for bullous pemphigoid. Bullous pemphigoid is most common in older adults and may be fatal for older, sick patients. Bullous pemphigoid usually occurs in elderly persons and is rare in young people.
Symptoms come and go. In most patients, the condition goes away within 5 years. Some people have no symptoms. Others may have mild redness, itching and irritation. In severe cases, they are multiple blisters, called bullae. Blisters are usually located on the arms, legs, or middle of the body. About one-third of persons with bullous pemphigoid also develop blisters in the mouth. The blisters may break open and form ulcers or open sores. Bullous pemphigoid usually responds well to treatment. Most patients stop taking medicine after several years. The disease sometimes returns after treatment is stopped.
Castleman disease (CD) is a rare disease of lymph nodes and related tissues. It is also called giant lymph node hyperplasia, and angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia (AFH). Castleman disease can occur in a localized (unicentric) or widespread (multicentric) form. It was first described by Dr. Benjamin Castleman in the 1950s. CD is not cancer. Instead, it is called a lymphoproliferative disorder. This means there is an abnormal overgrowth of cells of the lymph system that is similar in many ways to lymphomas (cancers of lymph nodes). Treatment and outlook vary, depending on the type of Castleman disease you have. The localized type can usually be successfully treated with surgery. Sometimes associated with HIV infection, multicentric Castleman disease can be life-threatening. Multicentric Castleman disease is also associated with other cell-proliferation disorders, including Kaposi’s sarcoma and POEMS syndrome
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which people can’t eat gluten because it will damage their small intestine. If you have celiac disease and eat foods with gluten, your immune system responds by damaging the small intestine. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. It is found mainly in foods but may also be in other products like medicines, vitamins and supplements, lip balm, and even the glue on stamps and envelopes. Celiac disease affects each person differently. Symptoms may occur in the digestive system, or in other parts of the body. One person might have diarrhea and abdominal pain, while another person may be irritable or depressed. Irritability is one of the most common symptoms in children. Some people have no symptoms. (see also Dermatitis Herpetiformis).
Chagas disease is caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi, sometimes called a kissing bug and related to the African trypanosome that causes sleeping sickness. It is one of the major health problems in South America. Due to immigration, the disease also affects people in the United States. The infected blood-sucking bugs spread it. When the bug bites you, usually on your face, it leaves behind infected waste. You can get the infection if you rub it in your eyes or nose, the bite wound or a cut. The disease can also spread through contaminated food, a blood transfusion, a donated organ or from mother to baby during pregnancy. If you notice symptoms, they might include: fever, flu-like symptoms, a rash, or a swollen eyelid. These early symptoms usually go away. However, if you don’t treat the infection, it stays in your body. Later, it can cause serious intestinal and heart problems. A physical exam and blood tests can diagnose it. You may also need tests to see whether the disease has affected your intestines and heart. Medicines can kill the parasite, especially early on. You can also treat related problems.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare autoimmune disorder in which there is swelling of nerve roots and destruction of the covering (myelin sheath) over the nerves. This causes weakness, paralysis, and/or impairment in motor function, especially of the arms and legs. Sensory loss may also be present, causing numbness, tingling, and burning sensations. The motor and sensory impairments are usually found on both sides of the body. The severity of CIDP can vary from mild to severe. CIDP can affect any age group, and the onset may begin anytime throughout life.
The course of CIDP may also vary. Some patients may follow a slow steady pattern of symptoms, while other patients have symptoms that flare and remit. The most severe symptoms usually occur after many months of symptoms that come and go. One characteristic that differentiates this disorder from other similar demyelinating diseases is that there is typically no preceding viral infection at least three to four months prior to onset, such as in the case of Guillain-Barrë syndrome.
Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) – Although its definition is still evolving, many doctors and articles describe CRMO as an autoimmune related disease. The origin of this disease however, is unclear. It is “multifocal” because it can erupt in different sites, primarily in bones. It is a rare condition (1:1,000,000). It comprises periodic bone pain, fever, and the appearance of multiple bone lesions that can occur in any skeletal site. Genetics appears to play a role, but the diagnosis can be difficult. Although adults can be affected, CRMO most often affects children, more commonly girls than boys. The peak age of incidence is around 10 years, with the range being 4 to 55 years. Children show symptoms ranging from pain, deep aching pain, limping, to fever. The metaphyseal area of long bones, the clavicle, and the shoulder girdle are common locations where CRMO is found. Other sites such as the spine, ankle, and foot have been reported. Dermatological (skin) manifestations may occur and include psoriasis, acne, and pustules on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Churg-Strauss syndrome, also known as allergic granulomatosis, is an autoimmune disorder characterized by accumulated antibodies, inflammation of blood vessels, and abnormal clustering of white blood cells. An allergic reaction or asthma may precede the syndrome’s development by several years. Although Churg-Strauss syndrome patients may have a prior history of pulmonary disease, the syndrome tends to impair kidneys or other organs or to cause nerve damage in affected areas. Diagnosis is difficult because early symptoms mimic common flu. Lung tissue infiltrations (short-term or persistent), fever, and weight loss are often initial signs. Prompt diagnosis and treatment (with corticosteroids) increase a patient’s chances of resuming a normal life. Onset typically occurs from 15-70 years of age, and the disease affects both males and females.
Cicatricial pemphigoid/benign mucosal pemphigoid (also known as mucous membrane pemphigoid, or benign mucous membrane pemphigoid) is a rare chronic autoimmune blistering disease characterized by erosive skin lesions of the mucous membranes and skin that results in scarring of at least some sites of involvement. The autoimmune reaction most commonly affects the mouth, causing lesions in the gums, but it can also affect areas of mucous membrane elsewhere in the body, such as the sinuses, genitals and anus. When the cornea of the eye is affected, repeated scarring may result in blindness. The management depends upon the severity of the condition. Simple measures that can be taken include avoidance of hard, sharp or rough foods, and taking care when eating. Good oral hygiene is also usually advised, and professional oral hygiene measures such as periodontal scaling.
Cogan’s syndrome is defined as nonsyphilitic interstitial keratitis (an inflammation of the eye) and bilateral audiovestibular deficits (hearing problems and dizziness). It is more common in Caucasians than in other races. Onset of the disease is generally a brief episode of inflammatory eye disease, most commonly interstitial keratitis. This eye condition causes pain, lacrimation (tearing of the eye) and photophobia (eye pain with exposure to light). Shortly following these ocular (eye) symptoms, patients develop bilateral audiovestibular (ear) symptoms, including hearing loss, vertigo (dizziness) and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Approximately half of patients ultimately develop complete hearing loss, but only a minority experience permanent visual loss. Other symptoms that may occur include headache, fever, arthralgia (joint pain), and systemic vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels). The symptoms typically deteriorate progressively within days. It is currently thought that Cogan’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease. The inflammation in the eye and ear are due to the patient’s own immune system producing antibodies that attack the inner ear and eye tissue.
Cold agglutinin disease is a form of autoimmune hemolytic anemia caused by cold-reacting autoantibodies (a type of protein produced by the immune system). Primary cold agglutinin disease is usually associated with monoclonal (produced from a single ancestral cell by repeated cellular replication) cold-reacting autoantibodies. Primary cold agglutinin disease is chronic and occurs after the fifth decade of life, with a peak incidence in the seventh and eighth decades. Secondary cold agglutinin disease is predominantly caused by infection and lymphoproliferative disorders in witch lymphocytes (white blood cells) are produced in excessive quantities. It is essential with chronic cold agglutinin disease to keep all body parts warm at all times and avoid cooling of body parts. Appropriate clothing is necessary in cold environments, and avoidance of cold foods and working in cold storage areas is also important.
C
ongenital heart block is a rare complication of pregnancy associated with Sjögren Syndrome (an autoimmune syndrome) that may result in the death of the fetus or infant, or the need for pacing in the newborn or at a later stage. Doctors might detect congenital heart block before or after a baby is born. Certain diseases that may occur during pregnancy can cause heart block in a baby. Heart block is a problem that occurs with the heart’s electrical system. This system controls the rate and rhythm of heartbeats. (“Rate” refers to the number of times your heart beats per minute. “Rhythm” refers to the pattern of regular or irregular pulses produced as the heart beats.) With each heartbeat, an electrical signal spreads across the heart from the upper to the lower chambers. As it travels, the signal causes the heart to contract and pump blood. Heart block occurs if the electrical signal is slowed or disrupted as it moves through the heart.
Coxsackie myocarditis is inflammation and weakness of the heart muscle caused by a viral infection (Coxsackie virus) that reaches the heart. Myocarditis can damage the heart muscle causing it to become thick and swollen. The heart muscle may be directly damaged by the virus or the bacteria that infect it. The body’s immune response can also damage the heart muscle (called the myocardium) in the process of fighting the infection. This can lead to symptoms of heart failure. Symptoms may include: anxiousness, failure to thrive or poor weight gain, feeding difficulties, fever and other symptoms of infection, listlessness, low urine output (a sign of decreasing kidney function), pale, cool hands and feet (a sign of poor circulation), rapid breathing, and rapid heart rate. Myocarditis may also occur during or after other viral or bacterial infections such as the influenza (flu) virus, adenovirus, polio, rubella, Lyme disease, and others. Myocarditis is rare in young children. It is slightly more common in older children and adults. It is often worse in newborns and young infants than in children over age 2. There is no cure for myocarditis. The heart muscle inflammation will often go away on its own.
CREST syndrome is an acronym for
calcinosis,
Raynaud’s phenomenon,
esophageal dysfunction,
sclerodactyly, and
telangiectasia. It is a variant of the two groups of scleroderma, localized and systemic. CREST is a relatively stable and slow-moving form of scleroderma and has a much more favorable prognosis than other forms. There is no evidence that the basic process differs from the usual scleroderma, but the tempo of CREST seems to be different in that organ involvement comes slower and later in the course of the disease.
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory autoimmune bowel disease characterized by severe and persistent inflammation of the lining or wall of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s is sometimes referred to as chronic ileitis, regional enteritis, or granulomatous colitis. The part of the gastrointestinal tract most commonly affected is the segment between the ileum and the rectum. Although Crohn’s disease can be difficult to manage and live with, it is usually not life threatening.
Crohn’s can affect anyone, although persons of Jewish descent are afflicted three to six times more frequently than others. The disease usually involves young adults between the ages of 15-35, but it can be seen in children and the elderly. Males and females are equally affected. There is a genetic predisposition to develop the disease, and up to 25% of persons with the disease are likely to have a close relative with either Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis. WHile an auto-reactive antibody hasn’t yet been found in Crohn’s, it is generally accepted that autoimmunity is the underlying cause.
Demyelinating neuropathies
Dermatitis herpetiformis is an extremely itchy rash consisting of bumps and blisters. The rash is chronic, which means it continues over a long period. Dermatitis herpetiformis usually begins in people age 20 and older. Children can sometimes be affected. It is seen in both men and women. The cause is unknown. It is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. Dermatitis herpetiformis is also linked to gluten sensitivity (celiac sprue disease) in the small bowel. Symptoms of dermatitis herpetiformis tend to come and go. Symptoms include: extremely itchy bumps or blisters, most often on the elbows, knees, back, and buttocks. The rash is usually the same size and shape on both sides. The rash can look like eczema. Some patients may have scratch marks instead of blisters. A strict gluten-free diet will be recommended to help control the disease. Sticking to this diet may eliminate the need for medications and prevent later complications. The disease may be well-controlled with treatment. Without treatment, there may be a significant risk of intestinal cancer.
Dermatomyositis is an autoimmune muscle disease that involves inflammation and a skin rash. It is a type of inflammatory myopathy. The cause of dermatomyositis is unknown. Experts think it may be due to a viral infection of the muscles or a problem with the body’s immune system. It may also occur in patients who have cancer in the abdomen, lung, or other parts of the body. Anyone can develop dermatomyositis. It most commonly occurs in children age 5 – 15 and adults age 40 – 60. Women develop this condition more often than men. Symptoms may include: problems swallowing, muscle weakness, stiffness, or soreness, purple color to the upper eyelids, purple-red skin rash, and shortness of breath. The muscle weakness may come on suddenly or develop slowly over weeks or months. You may have trouble raising your arms over your head, getting up from a sitting position, and climbing stairs. The rash may appear on your face, knuckles, neck, shoulders, upper chest, and back. Symptoms may go away completely in some people, such as children. The condition may be fatal in adults due to severe muscle weakness, malnutrition, pneumonia, or lung failure. The major causes of death with this condition are cancer and lung disease.
Devic’s disease (neuromyelitis optica) is an autoimmune condition that affects the spinal cord and optic nerves (the nerves that carry information regarding sight from the eye). In Devic disease, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys myelin, a fatty substance that surrounds nerves and helps nerve signals move from cell to cell. Signs and symptoms worsen with time and include
optic neuritis; transverse myelitis; pain in spine and limbs; and bladder and bowel dysfunction. The exact cause of Devic’s disease is unknown. Most affected people do not have other family members with the condition. Currently there is no cure for Devic’s disease, but there are therapies to treat an attack while it is happening, to reduce symptoms, and to prevent relapses.
Dressler’s syndrome is a type of pericarditis, inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericardium). Inflammation associated with Dressler’s syndrome is believed to be an immune system response following damage to heart tissue or the pericardium, such as a heart attack, surgery or traumatic injury. Dressler’s syndrome symptoms include chest pain, much like that experienced during a heart attack, and fever. With recent improvements in heart attack treatment, Dressler’s syndrome is less common than it used to be. However, once you’ve had this condition, it may happen again. Dressler’s syndrome may also be called postpericardiotomy, post-myocardial infarction syndrome, and post-cardiac injury syndrome. Symptoms are likely to appear weeks to months after a heart attack, surgery or other heart injury.
Endometriosis is a problem affecting a woman’s uterus. Endometriosis occurs when the kind of tissue that normally lines the uterus grows somewhere else. It can grow on the ovaries, behind the uterus or on the bowels or bladder. Rarely, it grows in other parts of the body. This “misplaced” tissue can cause pain, infertility, and very heavy periods. The pain is usually in the abdomen, lower back or pelvic areas. Some women have no symptoms at all. Having trouble getting pregnant may be the first sign.
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a newly recognized chronic disease that can be associated with food allergies. It is increasingly being diagnosed in children and adults. EoE is characterized by inflammation and accumulation of a specific type of immune cell, called an eosinophil, in the esophagus. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell. They help fight off infections and play a role in your body’s immune response. They can also build up and cause inflammation. Normally your blood doesn’t have a large number of eosinophils. Your body may produce more of them in response to, allergic disorders, skin conditions, parasitic and fungal infection, autoimmune diseases, some cancers, and bone marrow disorders. In some conditions, the eosinophils can move outside the bloodstream and build up in organs and tissues. Symptoms of EoE include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain after eating. A person may also have symptoms that resemble acid reflux from the stomach. In older children and adults, it can cause more severe symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing solid food or solid food sticking in the esophagus for more than a few minutes. In infants, this disease may be associated with failure to thrive. In some situations, avoiding certain food allergens will be an effective treatment for EoE.
Eosinophilic fasciitis is a very rare syndrome in which muscle tissue under the skin, called fascia, becomes swollen and thick. The hands, arms, legs, and feet can swell quickly. The disease may look similar to scleroderma but is not related. The cause of eosinophilic fasciitis is unknown. In people with this condition, white blood cells called eosinophils, build up in the muscles and tissues. Eosinophils are linked to allergic reactions. The syndrome is more common in people ages 30 to 60. Symptoms can include: bone pain or tenderness, carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle weakness, tenderness and swelling of the arms, legs and sometimes the joints, and thickened skin that looks puckered. In most cases, the condition goes away within 3 to 5 years. However, symptoms may last longer or come back.
Erythema nodosum is an inflammatory disorder that involves tender, red bumps (nodules) under the skin. In about half of cases, the exact cause of erythema nodosum is unknown. Some cases may occur with infections. Some of the more common infections are: streptococcus (most common), cat scratch disease, chlamydia, coccidioidomycosis, hepatitis B, histoplasmosis, leptospirosis, mononucleosis (EBV), mycobacteria, mycoplasma, psittacosis, syphilis, tuberculosis, tularemia, and yersinia.
Erythema nodosum may occur with sensitivity to certain medications, including: antibiotics including amoxicillin and other penicillins, sulfonamides, sulfones, birth control pills, and progestin. Erythema nodosum is most common on the shins. It may also occur on other areas of the body such as buttocks, calves, ankles, thighs, and arms.
The lesions begin as flat, firm, hot, red, painful lumps that are about an inch across. Within a few days, they may become purplish in color. Over several weeks, the lumps fade to a brownish, flat patch.
Sometimes, erythema nodosum may occur during pregnancy. Other disorders linked to this condition include leukemia, lymphoma, sarcoidosis, rheumatic fever, Bechet’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. The condition is more common in women than it is in men
Essential mixed cryoglobulinemia is often found in people who have a chronic (long-lasting) inflammatory condition, such as an autoimmune disease or hepatitis C. Most people with mixed cryoglobulinemia have a chronic hepatitis C infection. Cryoglobulins are antibodies. It is not yet known why they become solid or gel-like at low temperatures. When this occurs, these antibodies can block blood vessels. This may lead to problems ranging from skin rashes to kidney failure. Cryoglobulinemia is the presence of these abnormal proteins in the blood. Although the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated, cryoglobulin formation is clearly linked to the attempt of the host to clear the significant quantities of virions generated daily by the chronic infection.
Other conditions that may be related to cryoglobulinemia include: leukemia, multiple myeloma, mycoplasma pneumonia, primary macroglobulinemia, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Symptoms will vary depending on the type of disorder you have and the organs that are involved. Symptoms may include: breathing problems, fatigue, glomerulonephritis, joint pain, muscle pain, purpura, raynaud’s phenomenon, skin death, and skin ulcers.
Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis
Evans syndrome is a very rare autoimmune disorder in which the immune system destroys the body’s red blood cells, white blood cells and/or platelets. Affected people often experience thrombocytopenia (too few platelets) and Coombs’ positive hemolytic anemia (premature destruction of red blood cells). Signs and symptoms may include purpura, paleness, fatigue, and light-headedness. The exact cause of this condition is unknown. The best treatment options for Evans syndrome depend on many factors, including the severity of the condition, the signs and symptoms present, and each person’s response to certain therapies.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder which is characterized by widespread pain, tenderness and fatigue. Persons with fibromyalgia may also experience sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, anxiety, and irritable bowel syndrome. Often it is also accompanied by depression. It is difficult to diagnose because most of the symptoms mimic those of other disorders. Fibromyalgia is NOT an autoimmune disease, however it does accompany other autoimmune rheumatic and endocrine diseases.
Fibrosing alveolitis, also known as Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), involves scarring or thickening of the lungs. Doctors do not know what causes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or why some people get it. Idiopathic means the cause is not known. The condition may be due to the lungs and autoimmune system responding to an unknown substance or injury. Genes may play a role in developing IPF. The disease occurs most often in people between 50 and 70 years old.
When you have IPF, your lungs become scarred and stiffened. This makes it hard for you to breathe. In some people, IPF gets worse quickly over months or a few years. In others, IPF worsens over a much longer time. Symptoms can include chest pain (occasionally), cough (usually dry), decreased tolerance for activity, and shortness of breath during activity (this symptom lasts for months or years, and over time may also occur when at rest). There is no known cure for IPF. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms.
Giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis) is a disorder that causes inflammation of arteries of the scalp, neck, and arms. It narrows the arteries, which keeps blood from flowing well. Giant cell arteritis often occurs with another autoimmune disorder called polymyalgia rheumatica. Both are more common in women than in men and almost always affect people over the age of 50. Early symptoms of giant cell arteritis resemble the flu: fatigue, loss of appetite, and fever. Other symptoms include headaches, pain and tenderness over the temples, double vision or visual loss, dizziness, problems with coordination and balance, as well as pain in your jaw and tongue.
Giant cell myocarditis is a disease of relatively young, predominantly healthy adults. The patients usually die of heart failure and ventricular arrhythmia unless a cardiac transplantation is performed. The term myocarditis refers to an autoimmune inflammatory response within the myocardium that is not secondary to ischemic events or cardiac rejection in the setting of transplantation. The incidence of giant cell myocarditis is low and it varies with the population which is being studied and the method of diagnosis which is used. In a Japanese autopsy registry, the incidence of giant cell myocarditis was 0.007%. There is no proven cure because of the unknown nature of the disorder.
Glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease in which the part of your kidneys that helps filter waste and fluids from the blood is damaged. Glomerulonephritis may be caused by problems with the body’s immune system. Often, the exact cause of glomerulonephritis is unknown. Damage to the glomeruli causes blood and protein to be lost in the urine. The condition may develop quickly, and kidney function is lost within weeks or months (called rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis). A quarter of people with chronic glomerulonephritis have no history of kidney disease.
The following may increase your risk of this condition: blood or lymphatic system disorders, exposure to hydrocarbon solvents, history of cancer, infections such as strep, viruses, heart infections, abscesses, amyloidosis, anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody disease, goodpasture syndrome, heavy use of pain relievers, especially NSAIDs, henoch-schonlein purpura,
IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis, and membranoproliferative GN. Common symptoms of glomerulonephritis include: blood in the urine (dark, rust-colored, or brown urine), foamy urine (due to excess protein in the urine), and swelling (edema) of the face, eyes, ankles, feet, legs, or abdomen.
Goodpasture’s syndrome is a pulmonary-renal syndrome, which is a group of acute illnesses involving the kidneys and lungs. Goodpasture syndrome includes all of the following conditions:
Glomerulonephritis – inflammation of the glomeruli, which are tiny clusters of looping blood vessels in the kidneys that help filter wastes and extra water from the blood.
The presence of anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies; the GBM is part of the glomeruli and is composed of collagen and other proteins.
Bleeding in the lungs
In Goodpasture syndrome, immune cells produce antibodies against a specific region of collagen. The antibodies attack the collagen in the lungs and kidneys. Goodpasture syndrome is fatal unless quickly diagnosed and treated. The symptoms of Goodpasture syndrome may initially include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and weakness. The lungs are usually affected before or at the same time as the kidneys, and symptoms can include shortness of breath and coughing, sometimes with blood.
G
ranulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (formerly called Wegener’s Granulomatosis)is a rare autoimmune disease in which blood vessels and other tissues become inflamed. This inflammation limits blood flow to important organs in the body, potentially leading to long-term damage. Disease onset and severity varies between patients, and earlier diagnosis and treatment can prevent life-threatening organ failure. Although the disease can involve any organ system, GPA mainly affects the respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, trachea [windpipe], and lungs) and kidneys. This disorder can affect people at any age and strikes men and women equally. Compared to other racial groups, Caucasians are more commonly affected. The most common sign of GPA is upper respiratory tract distress such as sinus pain, discolored or bloody fluid from the nose, and nasal ulcers. A common sign of the disease is almost constant rhinorrhea (“runny nose”) or other cold symptoms that do not respond to usual treatment or become increasingly worse.
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune thyroid disease which causes the thyroid gland to produce excessive hormones. Symptoms may include nervousness, weight loss, heart palpitations and intolerance to heat. Women are affected seven times more often than men and are predominantly diagnosed between 20-40 years of age. A distinguishing characteristic of Graves’ is an eye condition causing inflamed eye muscles with accompanying bulging of the eyes (exophthalmos). Approximately 30-50% of Graves’ patients develop this condition in its mild form and about 5% develop the severe form. Although rare, “thyroid storm” can occur. Symptoms of this thyroid crisis include fever, vomiting, elevated heart rate, confusion and profuse sweating and requires immediate emergency attention.
Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder that causes your immune system to attack your peripheral nervous system (PNS). The PNS nerves connect your brain and spinal cord with the rest of your body. Damage to these nerves makes it hard for them to transmit signals. As a result, your muscles have trouble responding to your brain. No one knows what causes the syndrome. Sometimes it is triggered by an infection, surgery, or a vaccination. The first symptom is usually weakness or a tingling feeling in your legs. The feeling can spread to your upper body. In severe cases, you become almost paralyzed. This is life-threatening. You might need a respirator to breathe. Symptoms usually worsen over a period of weeks and then stabilize. Recovery can take a few weeks to a few years.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune thyroid disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland. The thyroid then produces too little hormone and metabolism is slowed. It is the most common of all the thyroid conditions in the US and women are affected 10 times more often than men. Most diagnoses occur between the ages of 30-50 and prevalence increases with age in both women and men. Symptoms, which often develop gradually, may include weight gain, cold sensitivity, tingling in the hands and feet, fatigue, hair loss, dry hair, fertility problems, and difficulty concentrating. Thyroid hormone should be monitored in women who plan pregnancy. Low thyroid function can affect the development of the baby. Post-partum thyroiditis can develop in the 12 months following childbirth. Women who are having trouble conceiving should also have their thyroid levels checked as thyroid hormone levels can affect ovulation.
Hemolytic anemia – autoimmune hemolytic anemia is an autoimmune disorder which causes the premature destruction of red blood cells. A normal red blood cell has a lifespan of approximately 120 days before the spleen removes it from circulation. Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow and released into circulation. In persons with autoimmune hemolytic anemia, the red blood cells are destroyed prematurely; and bone marrow production of new cells cannot make up for their loss. The severity of this disorder is determined by the length of time the red blood cell survives and by the capability of the bone marrow to continue red blood cell production.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia usually occurs in conjunction with some other medical condition, very often another autoimmune disease. It may sometimes occur alone and without a triggering factor. It affects twice as many women as men, specifically women in the childbearing years. Cold antibody hemolytic anemia most commonly affects the elderly and warm antibody hemolytic anemia can affect anyone at any age.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a fairly common autoimmune childhood disorder that may affect adults as well, although less frequently. Children with this condition are often initially seen with acute abdominal pain and are referred for surgical evaluation. HSP is characterized by purpura, or allergy=related bleeding into the skin and other tissues. The characteristic palpable purpuric rash is found in the majority of cases and is considered the hallmark of the disease. This rash is most often located on the buttocks and upper thighs in children and on the feet and ankles in adults. Symptoms also occurring with HSP are joint pain, gastrointestinal disorders and kidney involvement. Less common manifestations includeperipheral neuropathy and testicular torsion.
Herpes gestationis or pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is a bullous (characterized by blistering, such as a second-degree burn) disease developing in association with pregnancy. It is believed to be an autoimmune disorder. It occurs during pregnancy, typically in the second or third trimester, and/or immediately following pregnancy. It was originally called herpes gestationis because of the blistering appearance, although it is not associated with the herpes virus. Diagnosis of PG becomes clear when skin lesions progress to tense blisters during the second or third trimester. PG typically starts as a blistering rash in the navel area and then spreads over the entire body. It is sometimes accompanied by raised, hot, painful welts called plaques. After one to two weeks, large, tense blisters typically develop on the red plaques, containing clear or blood-stained fluid. PG creates a histamine (compound involved in local immune responses) response that causes extreme relentless itching (pruritus). PG is characterized by flaring and remission during the gestational and sometimes post partum period. Usually after delivery, lesions will heal within months, but may reoccur during menstruation.
Hypogammalglobulinemia is a type of primary immune deficiency disease. The common clinical feature of hypogammaglobulinemia relates to a predisposition toward infections that normally are defended against by antibody responses (including Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae infections). Most patients with hypogammaglobulinemia present with a history of recurrent infections.
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder. Persons with the disease have too few platelets in the blood. ITP is sometimes called immune thrombocytopenic purpura or simply, immune thrombocytopenia. ITP occurs when certain immune system cells produce antibodies against platelets. Platelets help your blood clot by clumping together to plug small holes in damaged blood vessels. The antibodies attach to the platelets. The spleen destroys the platelets that carry the antibodies. In children, the disease sometimes follows a viral infection. In adults, it is more often a chronic (long-term) disease and can occur after a viral infection, with use of certain drugs, during pregnancy, or as part of an immune disorder. ITP affects women more often than men, and is more common in children than adults. The disease affects boys and girls equally. Symptoms can include any of the following: abnormally heavy menstruation, bleeding into the skin, often around the shins, causing a skin rash that looks like pinpoint red spots (petechial rash), easy bruising, nosebleed or bleeding in the mouth.
IgA nephropathy is an autoimmune related kidney disorder that occurs when IgA (a protein that helps the body fight infections) settles in the kidneys. After many years, the IgA deposits may cause the kidneys to leak blood and sometimes protein in the urine.This leakage does not necessarily mean they will have long-term problems. If too much protein leaks into the urine, the hands and feet can swell. After 10 to 20 years with IgA nephropathy, the kidneys may show signs of damage. About 25 percent of adults with IgA nephropathy develop total kidney failure. Only 5 to 10 percent of children develop total kidney failure. Symptoms of kidney failure include swelling in the hands and feet, nausea, fatigue, headaches, and sleep problems. By the time these symptoms occur, total kidney failure is near. Total kidney failure means the kidney damage is permanent. People with kidney failure need dialysis or a kidney transplant. IgA nephropathy can occur at any age, even in childhood. More men are affected than women. Although found all over the world, IgA nephropathy is more common among Caucasians and Asians. It is one of the most common diseases of the kidney, other than those caused by diabetes or high blood pressure.
IgG4-related sclerosing disease , also known as IgG4–related systemic disease (IgG4-RSD), hyper-IgG4 disease and IgG4-related disease is an autoimmune disease in which inflammatory cells cause fibrosis, the deposition of connective tissue, in one or more organs. The disease is so named because the antibody subtype IgG4 can be detected on tissue samples and often at elevated levels in the bloodstream. The association with IgG4 is a relatively recent finding, and the condition has been described under numerous other names in the past.
Immunoregulatory lipoproteins
Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is one of a group of autoimmune related muscle diseases known as the inflammatory myopathies, which are characterized by chronic, progressive muscle inflammation accompanied by muscle weakness. The onset of muscle weakness in IBM is generally gradual (over months or years) and affects both proximal (close to the trunk of the body) and distal (further away from the trunk) muscles. Muscle weakness may affect only one side of the body. Falling and tripping are usually the first noticeable symptoms of IBM. For some individuals, the disorder begins with weakness in the wrists and fingers that causes difficulty with pinching, buttoning, and gripping objects. There may be weakness of the wrist and finger muscles and atrophy (thinning or loss of muscle bulk) of the forearm muscles and quadricep muscles in the legs. Difficulty swallowing occurs in approximately half of IBM cases. Symptoms of the disease usually begin after the age of 50, although the disease can occur earlier. IBM occurs more frequently in men than in women. There is no cure for IBM.
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is an autoimmune related condition that causes discomfort or pain in the bladder and a need to urinate frequently and urgently. It is far more common in women than in men. The symptoms vary from person to person. Some people may have pain without urgency or frequency. Others have urgency and frequency without pain. Women’s symptoms often get worse during their periods. They may also have pain with sexual intercourse. The cause of IC isn’t known. There is no one test to tell if you have it. Doctors often run tests to rule out other possible causes of symptoms. There is no cure for IC, but treatments can help most people feel better.
Juvenile arthritis is a type of arthritis that happens in children age 16 or younger. It causes joint swelling, pain, stiffness, and loss of motion. It can affect any joint, and in some cases it can affect internal organs as well. One early sign of JA may be limping in the morning. Symptoms can come and go. Some children have just one or two flare-ups. Others have symptoms that never go away. JA causes growth problems in some children. No one knows exactly what causes JA. Scientists do know it is an autoimmune disorder, which means your immune system, which normally helps your body fight infection, attacks your body’s own tissues. JA can be hard to diagnose. Your health care provider may do a physical exam, lab tests, and x-rays. Medicines and physical therapy can help maintain movement and reduce swelling and pain.
Juvenile diabetes (Type 1 diabetes) can occur at any age. It is most often diagnosed in children, adolescents, or young adults. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas by special cells called beta cells. The pancreas is below and behind the stomach. Insulin is needed to move blood sugar (glucose) into cells. Inside the cells, glucose is stored and later used for energy. With type 1 diabetes, beta cells produce little or no insulin. Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of going into the cells. This buildup of glucose in the blood is called hyperglycemia. The body is unable to use the glucose for energy. This leads to the symptoms of type 1 diabetes. The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. Most likely it is an autoimmune disorder. This is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. With type 1 diabetes, an infection or another trigger causes the body to mistakenly attack the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. The tendency to develop autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, can be passed down through families.
Juvenile myositis (JM), including Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) and Juvenile Polymyositis(JPM), is a group of rare and life-threatening autoimmune diseases, in which the body’s immune system attacks its own cells and tissues. Myositis means inflammation of the muscles that you use to move your body. It typically affects children ages 2 to 15 years, with symptoms that include weakness of the muscles close to the trunk of the body, inflammation, edema, muscle pain, fatigue, skin rashes, abdominal pain, fever, and contractures. Children with juvenile dermatomyositis may have difficulty swallowing and breathing, and the heart may also be affected. About 20 to 30 percent of children with juvenile dermatomyositis develop calcium deposits in the soft tissue. Muscle weakness without a rash is the primary symptom of Juvenile Polymyositis. Although medications can help alleviate the symptoms of JM, the disease has no known cure.
Kawasaki disease is a rare form of vasculitis. Children, usually under the age of 5, have a high fever and red eyes, lips, mouth, a rash and swollen lymph nodes. The disease also affects the heart and the wall of blood vessels. Kawasaki is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. Immediate treatment is necessary to avoid permanent damage to the heart and to the coronary arteries and a full recovery may be expected.
Lambert-Eaton syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which faulty communication between nerves and muscles leads to muscle weakness. In this syndrome, substances produced by the immune system attack nerve cells. This makes nerves cells unable to release enough of a chemical called acetylcholine. This chemical transmits impulses between nerves and muscles. The result is muscle weakness. Lambert-Eaton syndrome may occur with cancers such as small cell lung cancer or autoimmune disorders such as
vitiligo, which leads to a loss of skin pigment. Symptoms may include: weakness or loss of movement that can be more or less severe, difficulty chewing, difficulty climbing stairs, difficulty lifting objects, difficulty talking, drooping head, need to use hands to get up from sitting or lying positions, swallowing difficulty, gagging, or choking. Vision changes can occur such as: blurry vision, double vision, and problems keeping a steady gaze. The symptoms of Lambert-Eaton syndrome may improve by treating the underlying disease, suppressing the immune system, or removing the antibodies. However, not everyone responds well to treatment.
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis, also called hypersensitivity vasculitis, describes inflammation of small blood vessels. The term leukocytoclastic refers to the debris of neutrophils (immune cells) within the blood vessel walls. The disease can be confined to the skin (cutaneous) or it can affect many different organs of the body such as the kidneys, central nervous system, heart, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs. An allergic reaction to drugs, food, or food additives supports the theory of the immune system playing the dominant role. Infections, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, Sjögren syndrome, and less often malignancy are some of the various conditions associated with the vasculitis. In the skin, damaged blood vessels become leaky and small areas of hemorrhage appear as purple-red, raised lesions known as palpable purpura. Multiple discrete or grouped lesions are commonly found on the legs or other dependent areas of the body. These lesions are usually asymptomatic but can be itchy or painful. Signs of systemic involvement include fever, muscle aches, joint pain, blood in the urine or stool, abdominal pain, vomiting, cough, numbness, and weakness.
Lichen planus is a condition that forms an itchy rash on the skin or in the mouth. The exact cause of lichen planus is unknown. It may be related to an allergic or immune reaction. Risks for the condition include: exposure to medicines, dyes, and other chemicals (including gold, antibiotics, arsenic, iodides, chloroquine, quinacrine, quinide, phenothiazines, and diuretics), and diseases such as hepatitis C. Lichen planus mostly affects middle-aged adults. It is less common in children. Symptoms you may see include mouth sores that will sometimes form painful ulcers, skin sores that are itchy and have even sides (symmetrical) and sharp borders, dry mouth, hair loss, metallic taste in the mouth, and ridges in the nails (nail abnormalities). A skin lesion biopsy or biopsy of a mouth lesion can confirm the diagnosis. Blood tests may be done to rule out hepatitis. Lichen planus is usually not harmful. It usually gets better with treatment. The condition often clears up within 18 months but may come and go for years. If lichen planus is caused by a medicine you are taking, the rash should go away once you stop the medicine.
Lichen sclerosus is a skin disorder that can affect men, women, or children, but is most common in women. It usually occurs on the vulva (the outer genitalia or sex organ) in women, but sometimes develops on the head of the penis in men. Occasionally, lichen sclerosus is seen on other parts of the body, especially the upper body, breasts, and upper arms. Other names for lichen sclerosus include kraurosis vulvae and hypoplastic dystrophy. Doctors think a too active immune system and hormone problems may play a role in the cause of lichen sclerosus. It is also thought that people inherit the likelihood of getting the disease. Sometimes, lichen sclerosus appears on skin that has been damaged or scarred from some other previous injury. Early in the disease, small white spots appear on the skin. The spots are usually shiny and smooth. Later, the spots grow into bigger patches. The skin on the patches becomes thin and crinkled. Then the skin tears easily, and bright red or purple bruises are common. Sometimes, the skin becomes scarred. If the disease is a mild case, there may be no symptoms.
Ligneous conjunctivitis is a rare disorder characterized by the buildup of a protein called fibrin which causes inflammation of the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis) and leads to thick, woody (ligneous), inflamed growths that are yellow, white, or red. Ligneous conjunctivitis most often occurs on the inside of the eyelids, but may also affect the sclera, cornea and pupil, leading to vision loss. A systemic form of the condition may occur, affecting the mucous membranes of the larynx, vocal chords, nose, trachea, bronchi, vagina, cervix, and gingiva. The cause of ligneous conjunctivitis is unknown. Autosomal recessive inheritance has been suggested in some cases. Ligneous conjunctivitis is sometimes associated with a condition known as congenital plasminogen deficiency.
Linear IgA disease (LAD) is an autoimmune subepidermal (lying beneath or constituting the innermost part of the epidermis) disease that may be idiopathic or drug-induced. Children and adults are affected, with disease of the former historically referred to as chronic bullous dermatosis of childhood. The clinical presentation appears similar to other blistering diseases, such as bullous pemphigoid and dermatitis herpetiformis.
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. There are three common types of lupus.
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is the most serious. SLE can affect almost any organ or system in the body including blood vessels, muscles, joints, the digestive tract, lungs, kidneys, heart and central nervous system.
- Discoid lupus causes a raised, scaly, red rash, usually on the face, scalp and neck and may cause scarring.
- Drug-induced lupus is a type of lupus which is caused by prescription medications. Symptoms are similar to those of SLE; and once the medication is stopped, the symptoms usually cease.
- Neonatal lupus is a rare disease that can affect some newborn babies of women with SLE or certain other immune system disorders. These babies may have a heart defect, skin rash, low blood count, and/or liver problems. However, most infants of mothers with SLE are born healthy.
