Vitality - Fall 2012 - (Page 14)

QRA: WOMEN’S HEALTH The Attack from Within WOMEN ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES. WE EXPLORE THEIR MYSTERY WHAT IS AN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE? It’s a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissue. The most common conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and type 1 diabetes, but the National Institutes of Health estimates there are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases. Most autoimmune conditions are characterized by periods of active disease, called “ﬂares,” followed by symptom-free periods. “We don’t know exactly what causes it,” says Virginia Ladd, president and director of the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association. “Genetics play a role, but there are also triggers such as environmental exposures, stress and viruses. You see it in families, but it may not be the same condition. The mother may have lupus and the child could have Crohn’s disease. You can also have more than one autoimmune disease.” Stay up to date w on aut oimmu ith the lates t studie ne dise t h e Am ase s erican Autoim by following Diseas mune es Ass Relate ociat twitte d r.com ion on Twitte /aard atwee r at ts . Get Resear Update ch s Twitteron Autoimmune disease is recognized as a major health crisis in the United States. Today, 50 million Americans—75 percent of whom are women—suffer one or more autoimmune conditions. We answer your questions about the mysterious set of diseases. ARE THEY HARD TO DIAGNOSE? Yes, they can be. Diagnosis often takes years because symptoms are diverse and similar to other less-serious conditions. Common symptoms include extreme exhaustion, joint and muscle pain, muscle weakness, inflammation, gastrointestinal problems, sleep disturbances, memory problems and low-grade fevers. “You have to be proactive,” Ladd says. “Research your family history and share it with your physician. Keep a log of all symptoms, even those that seem unrelated. Most importantly, if you know there’s something wrong with you, don’t let anybody tell you there isn’t. Keep looking until you ﬁnd a doctor who listens to you.” WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE? Treatments depend on the specific condition. Typically, treatment has three goals: ◗ Symptom relief with overthe-counter or prescription pain medications, antidepressants, and topical ointments for rashes. ◗ Replacement of vital substances, such as insulin or thyroid hormones. ◗ Immune suppressants to protect organs. These include steroids, chemotherapy drugs and a new class of biologic drugs called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) blockers that target organand joint-destroying inflammation. “These biologics are a breakthrough in treatment for many conditions. They help to preserve organs and improve quality of life,” says Ladd. —By Lynne L. Hall 1 5 in 14 | FA L L 2 0 1 2 About 20 percent of the U.S. population, or one in ﬁve people, have autoimmune diseases. http://www.twitter.com/aardatweets

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vitality - Fall 2012

Vitality - Fall 2012
Contents
CMH News
Health Beat
The Right Tools
Who Has the Time?
Heart Smart
Q+A
Get Back to Life—Fast
Calendar of Events

Vitality - Fall 2012