What is an Autoimmune Disease Flare-Up?

What is an autoimmune disease flare-up? In simple terms, an autoimmune disease is when the body’s immune system mistakes its own tissues for nonself. This mistake leads to the body attacking its own tissues, resulting in an autoimmune disorder. Read on to learn more about what an autoimmune disease flare-up is, how it can happen, and how to treat it. Here’s a quick list of some common autoimmune diseases.

autoimmune disease flare-up

A flare-up of an autoimmune disease, also known as a relapse, is a time when the body’s immune system attacks itself. In an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakes its own cells and tissues for foreign ones, and begins attacking them. The body’s response causes inflammation and tissue necrosis. A flare-up is not an emergency; it is simply a temporary period during which the body is forced to make an effort to repair the damage it caused.

autoimmune disease symptoms

An autoimmune disease is an immune system disorder characterized by abnormally heightened or depressed responses to antigens found on self-body tissues. Many immune disorders manifest in other parts of the body. They include asthma, hay fever, atopic dermatitis, eczema, and AIDS. Among other conditions, autoimmune disorders can affect the skin, lungs, and brain.

autoimmune disease causes

An autoimmune disease is an episode where the immune system attacks itself. The immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, resulting in tissue damage, inflammation, and/or necrosis. Autoimmune diseases are systemic or general in nature. The symptoms of an autoimmune disease can be severe or mild. There are many types of autoimmune diseases. Listed below are some of the most common types.

treatment options

An autoimmune disease is an inflammatory condition that is triggered by an overactive immune system. Inflammation in the body can be brought down using certain medications. Treatments for a flare-up of an autoimmune disease are also available. While these treatments are not a cure, they can help patients cope with the symptoms. There is no single cause for autoimmune diseases. Genetics are also a factor in the development of these diseases.

Although autoimmune diseases are incurable, medical care is often able to help manage symptoms and restore lost substances. One example is insulin. By quenching inflammation and resetting the immune system, doctors can prevent further damage. For many children, medication can make a big difference in their lives. A doctor can help a child cope with the emotional and physical toll the disease takes on.

Depending on the severity of the flare-up, different treatment options are available. Some medications target harmful inflammation, while others target specific immune system functions. Surgery is an option for severe autoimmune diseases, but it is rare. In general, medications for autoimmune diseases include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The latter are synthetic proteins, known as biologics. Those with inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s disease or juvenile idiopathic arthritis may benefit from plasmapheresis.

Antibodies produced by the immune system are normally helpful in protecting the body against harmful substances. Antibodies recognize and destroy the antigens found in harmful substances, including bacteria. However, autoimmune disorders affect the immune system, making it malfunction. Without antibodies, the body cannot recognize the difference between healthy and unhealthy tissue, causing it to destroy normal tissues. Treatment for an autoimmune disease is often complex and takes several months.