Autoimmune disorders can be dangerous and devastating if not diagnosed and treated properly. They are caused by a dysfunction in the body's immune system, in which the immune system is triggered to attack and destroy healthy tissue. The exact cause of autoimmune disorders is unknown, but they seem to occur when several factors, including genetic predisposition and environmental factors, such as a virus, come together. There is no cure for autoimmune disorders, but some can be managed with medication or tackled through lifestyle changes. This article explores what autoimmune disorders are, common signs and symptoms, and diagnosis protocols.
What is the Immune system?
The human body often contacts foreign substances known as antigens, having the ability to cause various diseases and worsen medical conditions. In order to protect the body, there are several defense mechanisms in place such as skin (it secretes oils that have the power to kill bacteria), lungs (the mucous inside them traps foreign particles and helps the body to cough them out), digestive tract (the mucous includes antibodies and the acid inside the stomach is able to kill microbes), saliva and tears (they contain antibacterial enzymes). But the most important defense mechanism of the body is the immune system.
Being defined as a complex network of biological processes composed of different organs, cells, and chemicals, the immune system works against these substances in order to protect the organism and maintain a healthy, well-functioning body. Its main components are white blood cells, antibodies, the complement system, the lymphatic system, the spleen, the thymus and the bone marrow, all of them playing a part in the processes of the immune system.