The immune system is responsible for protecting the body from harmful foreign substances such as viruses, harmful bacteria, toxins, cancer cells, and any other substance considered to be an antigen. Antigens are known to trigger the production of antibodies, which help in fighting and destroying the infectious substances invading a person’s body. Unfortunately, for people suffering from autoimmune disorders, their immune cells and antibodies are unable to distinguish between antigens and healthy cells. Therefore, they attack and destroy even the healthy cells. This has the effect of damaging tissues and altering organ development and functions. Although this issue cannot be cured, working with a primary care physician can go a long way in helping you to manage the symptoms. Physicians offer special care, such as integrative autoimmune disorders care near Fresno, CA, which can make a huge difference when living with an autoimmune disorder. Below are some important things that you should know about autoimmune disorders.
Symptoms of Autoimmune Disorders
There are more than eighty known autoimmune disorders, most of which share similar symptoms. Therefore, an autoimmune disorder can be quite difficult to diagnose. One of the most common symptoms of autoimmune disorders is inflammation. Inflammation can simply be understood as the reaction of the body tissues to disease and injury. The typical signs that characterize inflammation include pain, swelling, redness, heat, and loss of function.
Autoimmune Disorders are Becoming more Prevalent
Researchers and practitioners have noted a sharp rise in the prevalence of autoimmune disorders. Although women are more likely to develop an autoimmune disorder, autoimmune disorders can affect both men and women. Besides, people with close relatives having a history of an autoimmune condition are at high risk of developing the condition as well. Some of the most common autoimmune disorders include rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, Graves disease, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Causes of Autoimmune Disorders
The causes of most autoimmune disorders are unknown. However, most autoimmune disorders have triggers, whose evaluation can go a long way in keeping the disorders under control. How autoimmune disorders affect a patient depends on the targeted part of the body. Some possible triggers of autoimmune disorders include viruses, bacteria, drugs, environmental irritants, and chemical irritants, among others.
Treating Autoimmune Disorders
Most autoimmune disorders have no known cure. However, there are several ways in which the disorders can be managed. Autoimmune disorder management involves the use of immunosuppressive drugs and corticosteroids. However, these traditional approaches have the potential to increase a patient’s susceptibility to disease and infections. The primary goal in treating any autoimmune condition should be to manage the symptoms and to control the autoimmune process without compromising on the body’s ability to fight diseases and infections.
The Bottom Line
Overall, it is apparent that autoimmune disorders can be quite a common health issue. Their causes are largely unknown, but people with close relatives having these disorders are more likely to develop the disorders as well. Although there is no known cure for most autoimmune disorders, the good news is that with the assistance of a primary care physician, they can be managed. If you are looking for a reliable primary care provider to help you with diagnosing and managing any autoimmune condition, North Fresno Primary Care is an excellent primary care facility to consider. Feel free to contact or visit them today for more information about their services.
