Download Autoimmune Disorders

AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS
ARTHRITIS OVERVIEW
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One of the most common, disabling diseases
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Three types:
Osteoarthritis
 Gout
 Rheumatoid Arthritis
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OSTEOARTHRITIS
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Wear and Tear on
joints
Affects mostly older
adults; men & women
Joint pain, stiffness
Relieved by pain
relievers and lowimpact exercise
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GOUT
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Build up of uric acid
in joints
Affects mostly older
males
May be very painful
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
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Autoimmune disorder
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Causes inflamed tissue that destroys cartilage
Affects young and middle-age adults; more
females than males
May be very painful
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
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Another type of arthritis
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Affects the joints of the spine
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Likely genetic
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Symptoms / treatment
FIBROMYALGIA
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“Waste basket diagnosis”
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Complex, chronic pain disorder
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Affects about 10 million Americans
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Mostly women
FIBROMYALGIA CONTINUED
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Diagnosis include
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Detailed history
Pain in at least 11 of
18 designated tender
points.
Other diseases need to
be ruled out first
Symptoms include:
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Widespread pain,
fatigue, sleep
disorders, fibro “fog”,
headaches, anxiety,
and/or depression
CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME (CFS)
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Another “Waste basket diagnosis”
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Diagnosis must meet 2 criteria:
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Patient must have unexplained, persistent fatigue for
6 months or more (other diseases ruled out)
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Four or more “approved” symptoms must be present
for at least 6 months

CFS “fog”, unrefreshing sleep, muscle pain, joint pain
without swelling, headaches, flu-like symptoms, tender
lymph nodes, recurring sore throat
CFS CONTINUED
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May be very
debilitating
No medications; no
cure
Complementary &
alternative medicines
may help
Cognitive Behavior
Therapy (CBT)
 Graded Exercise
Therapy (GET)
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SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE)
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Immune system
produces antibodies to
body cells causing
inflammation and
tissue damage.
One main
characteristic:
butterfly facial rash
Other symptoms:

Fatigue, joint pain,
fever
SLE CONTINUED
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Affects mostly young women

May co-exist with other autoimmune conditions
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May affect any organ in the body
Death usually occurs from organ failure
 Survival increasing
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