Asherson's syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders are caused when the body natural defenses (antibodies, lymphocytes, etc.) against invading organisms suddenly begin to attack perfectly healthy tissue.
Some common autoimmune diseases, including Type 1 diabetes mellitus, are relatively easy to diagnose, while others, such as vasculitis, Addison's disease, lupus, and other rheumatic diseases, are more difficult.
Some are well known, such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, while others are rare and difficult to diagnose. With unusual autoimmune diseases, patients may suffer years before getting a proper diagnosis. Most of these diseases have no cure.
Lauren Lippincott is not yet 35 years old, yet she lives with five autoimmune diseases. She's not alone. About 25 percent of people with autoimmune diseases have a tendency to develop additional autoimmune diseases. For people who have more than one diagnosed autoimmune disease, it's called polyautoimmunity.
Background: Autoimmune diseases are multifactorial with environmental and heritable factors. Autoimmunity reflects an altered immune status, therefore the presence of more than one disorder is not uncommon. The coexistence of three or more autoimmune diseases in a patient constitutes multiple autoimmune syndrome (MAS).
One theory is that some microorganisms (such as bacteria or viruses) or drugs may trigger changes that confuse the immune system. This may happen more often in people who have genes that make them more prone to autoimmune disorders. An autoimmune disorder may result in: The destruction of body tissue.
Most scientists believe environmental factors play a key role in this rise. “Human genetics hasn't altered over the past few decades,” said Lee, who was previously based at Cambridge University. “So something must be changing in the outside world in a way that is increasing our predisposition to autoimmune disease.”
Autoimmune diseases are typically caused by mutations in multiple genes, but they can be triggered by environmental factors and stress. Inflammation is closely associated with autoimmune disorders. Most often, it's a symptom of the disorders, but sometimes it's a trigger.
Diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis are complex and serious. Although there are no cures for these diseases, many of their symptoms can be treated, and sometimes they go into remission.
In some cases, severe autoimmune diseases — especially those affecting the liver, kidneys, lungs, blood vessels and other vital organs — can be life threatening. Fortunately, though, these illnesses are very rare. Treatment aims to keep these vital organs healthy.
“There's usually no single test to diagnose autoimmune disease. You have to have certain symptoms combined with specific blood markers and in some cases, even a tissue biopsy. It's not just one factor.” Diagnosis can also be difficult because these symptoms can come from other common conditions.
GlobalData epidemiology analysis of two common autoimmune diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome, found that the US and UK have higher prevalence rates than other countries.
Previous studies have shown that viral thymus infections, such as those caused by roseoloviruses, can interrupt the maturation and selection of T-cells and, as a result, lead to autoimmunity.
Psychological stress is reported to be a risk factor for autoimmune diseases, including Graves' disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Different types of stress and the length of time that stress is present might also affect the presentation of inflammatory autoimmune disease. There is no one known cause for autoimmunity.
Having an autoimmune disease
The reason is unknown, but it is likely due to a combination of genetics and environmental factors.
with common examples being systemic lupus erythematosus with Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis with autoimmune thyroiditis (1, 2). The combination of three or more autoimmune diseases is called multiple autoimmune syndrome (MAS) and was described for the first time in 1988 (3).
What is myositis? Myositis (my-o-SY-tis) is a rare type of autoimmune disease that inflames and weakens muscle fibers.
Thanks to celebrities like Christina Applegate, Caroline Wozniacki, Selena Gomez and many others over the years, we are all a little wiser about the personal toll of living with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Myositis is an autoimmune disease involving chronic inflammation that leads to the weakening of muscles over time, particularly those in the neck, shoulders, hips and back. It may be painful, too. The muscle inflammation is from the immune system losing tolerance of the muscle.
Sjögren's syndrome is the second most common autoimmune rheumatic disease, with an estimated prevalence in the United States of 2-4 million persons.