Autoimmune Diseases & Women's Health
Major Autoimmune Diseases in Women
Volume
28
Number 3
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| Autoimmune Disease | Description | Common Symptoms | Primary Treatment |
| Ulcerative colitis 3 | Immune system attacks bacteria in the colon.10 |
Blood, diarrhea, pain, urgent bowel movements, joint pains and skin lesions. | Anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids. |
| Multiple sclerosis11 | Immune system attacks cells in the central nervous system. |
Numbness, weakness, tingling in one or more limbs, impaired vision and eye pain, tremor, lack of coordination. |
Immune-modifying drugs such as Avonex, Rebif, Betaseron and Copaxone, and immunosuppressant medications such at Novantrone (mitoxantrone). |
| Myasthenia gravis12 | Autoimmune attack against the cells at the junction of nerves and muscles, leading to significant muscle weakness. |
Muscle weakness and fatigue, including weakness of the eye muscles. |
Anticholinesterase agents such as Mestinon (pyridostigmine), corticosteroids and immune system suppressors such as Imuran (azathioprine) and intravenous immunoglobulins. Surgical options include removing the thymus gland to suppress the immune system or removing abnormal antibodies from blood plasma. |
| Psoriasis | Immune system triggers an increased growth cycle of skin cells, leading to overgrowth of cells and lesions. |
Patches of raised, reddish skin covered by silverywhite scales that form on the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp. About 10 to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriasis arthritis.13 |
Phototherapy, topical medications including Drithocreme (anthralin), Dovonex (calcipotriene), salicylic acid, coal tar, Tazorac (tazarotene) and topical corticosteroids. Biologics and systemic drugs including Amevive (alefacept), Raptiva (efalizumab), Enbrel (etanercept) and Remicade (infliximab).14 |
| Scleroderma3 | Immune cells produce scar tissue in the skin, internal organs and small blood vessels. |
Swelling and puffiness of the
fingers and hands, skin ulcers, joint stiffness in the hands, pain, sore throat and diarrhea. |
D-penicillamine to decrease skin thickening; other symptoms treated as needed. |
| Sjögren’s syndrome3 | Inability to secrete saliva and tears. |
Dry eyes and mouth, swollen neck glands, difficulty swallowing or talking, unusual tastes or smells, thirst, tongue ulcers and severe dental caries. |
Over-the-counter eye and mouth moisteners. The prescriptions Lacriserts (hydroxypropyl cellulose) for dry eyes and Salagen (pilocarpine hydrochloride) and Evoxac (cevimeline) for dry mouth. Anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids and immune suppressants are also used.15 |
| Vitiligo16 | Immune system destroys skin cells that contribute to skin coloring, leaving unsightly pale patches. |
Pale skin patches that get
larger. May affect the eyes in some cases. |
Over-the-counter eye and mouth moisteners. The prescriptions Lacriserts (hydroxypropyl cellulose) for dry eyes and Salagen (pilocarpine hydrochloride) and Evoxac (cevimeline) for dry mouth. Anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids and immune suppressants are also used.15 |
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