Autoimmune diseases are diseases whereby the body's defenses, which should protect the body, end up misidentifying certain aspects of the body instead of as its enemy and get attacked in that process. These types of diseases target various body systems, causing a range of symptoms and complications. 

It is important to know the major types of such diseases for informational, preventive and treatment purposes. This article brings to you the top ten autoimmune diseases, their processes, risks, and reasons why it is important to act on the diseases quickly.

Brief Overview of Autoimmune Diseases

Immune disorders categorized under autoimmune diseases arise when the immune cells fail to differentiate between the intruders and the foreign cells. Consequently, such action leads to the production of autoantibodies that cause damage by attacking healthy tissues and causing inflammation. 

There are currently over one hundred identified autoimmune diseases, each localized to different systems in the body and necessitating individualized therapy.

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease of an autoimmune nature that mainly targets the joints leading to pain, swelling and heat in affected areas. Other systemic manifestations include damage to heart, lungs, skin, and eyes. Most frequent symptoms are joint pain, morning stiffness, and limitation of movement.

Rheumatoid arthritis is more prevalent in the female than in the male population, and the age of the patients is usually between 30 and 60 years. Family history and certain genetic make-up are considered to be predisposing to RA susceptibility.

2. Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), is a rheumatic disease of autoimmune nature, which may affect several organs and systems, such as: joints, kidneys, brain, heart, and skin. There are several central nervous system symptoms including fever malaise or a fever, a headache, joint involvement wich rash is seen on the cheek.

Lupus can greatly affect many organs in the body. The involvement of kidneys in the disease known as lupus nephritis, is quite frequent, and the disease can be associated with the central nervous system and lead to seizures, pychotic state and many other neurological manifestations.

3. Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a form of diabetes that is classified as an autoimmune disorder. It happens when the body's immune system destroys the insulin-secreting beta cells of the pancreas. Increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, blurred vision, and tiredness are some of the signs and symptoms that are present. In comparison to type 2 diabetes, which can positively be managed through lifestyle changes, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that usually occurs in children or adolescents.

4. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a type of autoimmune disease that targets the central nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. The Disability of an individual affected by multiple sclerosis varies across the world and it usually entails vision deficits, muscle weakness, tingling, poor balance and coordination.

MS leads to damage of the protective sheath enveloping the axon of nerve fibers (myelin). It affects the communication bridge between the brain and the rest of the body. This may result into a number of neurologic signs and complications.

5. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis refers to an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland leading to hypothyroidism. It leads to fatigue, weight gain, dry skin and hair, and a decreased tolerance of cold.

Autoimmunity results in the immune system attacking the thyroid glands hence, reducing the production of thyroid hormones available in the body. It can lead to various disease conditions and also imbalance in hormonal levels and therefore requires the administration of thyroid hormone.

6. Celiac Disease

The celiac disease is classified as an autoimmune disease wherein the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten resulting to damage in the small intestine. The most common symptoms are abdominal cramping, diahrrea, anorexia, and tiredness. The main treatment is an ironclad gluten-elimination diet.

Celiac disease is not the same as gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity in that it elicits an immune response which leads to destruction of the gut. Adhering to a gluten free diet, is crucial in the management of the disease and its complications.

7. Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune system disorder that causes inflammation characterized by an overproduction of the skin cells resulting in thick and scabrous areas of the skin. In some cases, psoriatic arthritis can develop where the inflammation becomes concentrated in the joints. Common symptoms of psoriasis include redness and scaly skin patches, as well as joint discomfort.

The bursting rupture of the epidermis is called the psoriasis. Although the disease is said to be chronic and primarily affects the skin, some patients develop inflammation around the joints (psoriatic arthritis). When this body-wide involvement is not treated, it may result in considerable pain and incapacity.

8. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Such chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis go under the collective definition of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is associated with abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of weight, and tiredness.

9. Sjögren’s Syndrome

Sjögren’s syndrome is a form of autoimmune disorder which mainly affects the glands which produce moisture, for instance, salivary and tear glands. Its symptoms include xerostomia and xerophthalmia as well as painful joints. It can either happen separately or together with other inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.

10. Graves’ Disease

Graves' disease hyperthyroidism also known as overactive thyroid, is the disorder of the immune system. Some appearing symptoms include the following: weight loss, fast heart rate, shivering, or being hot-tolerant. Among all types of hyperthyroidism, it is the most prevalent cause of hyperthyroidism.

Preventing and Managing Autoimmune Sickness and Disorders

• Lifestyle Changes: Observance of proper nutrition, regular physical activity, and normal sleeping hours are appropriate measures to cope with the symptoms.

• Medications: Control of the immune response and the level of inflammatory reactions can also be achieved with the use of immunomodulators, NSAIDs and other prescribed drugs.

• Dietary Considerations: In such cases as celiac disease, a patient requires an absolute gluten-free diet. In other instances, a proper diet that is well balanced can help avoid symptoms.

Conclusion

The nature of autoimmune diseases is vast; hence, it is important to be informed, properly diagnosed, and well-managed. There is hope in the knowledge of these diseases, their symptoms, risk factors, and treatment modalities as they improve prognosis. In case you or someone in the family is suspected to be suffering from any autoimmune disease, medical help should be sought without wasting any more time