Autoimmune Disorder

Definition: Autoimmune Disorder

Autoimmune Disorder

Noun

1. Any of a large group of diseases characterized by abnormal functioning of the immune system that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against your own tissues.

Specialty Definition: Autoimmune disorder

An autoimmune disorder arises from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. The causes of autoimmune disorders are still obscure, and most of these disorders are probably the result of multiple circumstances: for example, a genetic predisposition triggered by an infection.

Women tend to be affected more often by autoimmune disorders, nearly 79% of autoimmune disease patients in the USA are women [1]. It is not known why this is the case, although hormone levels have been shown to affect the severity of the disease [1].

Disorders believed to be autoimmune disorders

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), is an acquired immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system (e.g. not the brain and spinal column). It is also called acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, acute idiopathic polyradiculneuritis, acute idiopathic polyneuritis and Landry's ascending paralysis.
Lupus erythematosus is an is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disease where the immune system, for unknown reasons, becomes hyperactive and attacks normal tissue. This attack results in inflammation and brings about symptoms.
Multiple Sclerosis is a disorder of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), which is characterised by decreased nerve function due to myelin loss and secondary axonal damage.
Myasthenia gravis is a disorder of neuromuscular transmission leading to fluctuating weakness and fatigue. Weakness is caused by circulating antibodies that block acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction.
Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve that may cause a complete or partial loss of vision.
Psoriasis is a skin disorder in which rapidly multiplying skin cells produce itchy, scaly inflamed patches on the skin.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body's immune system to attack the bone joints. It is a disabling condition, and often thought of as a disease.
Graves disease is the commonest form of hyperthyroidism, and is caused by anti-thyroid antibodies that have the effect of stimulating the thyroid into overproduction of thyroid hormone
Type I Diabetes appears to be the result of an autoimmune attack on the islet cells of the pancreas.
aplastic anemia may sometimes be caused by an autoimmune attack on the bone marrow.
Reiter's Syndrome seems to be an autoimmune attack on various body systems in response to a bacterial infection and the body's confusion over the HLA-B27 marker
"'Primary Biliary Cirrhosis"' appears to be an autoimmune disease that affects the biliary epithelial cells (BECs) of the small bile duct in the liver. The cause is yet to be determined but most of the patients (<90%) seem to have auto-mitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) against pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC), an enzyme that is found in the mitochondria.

Disorders that might be autoimmune related

Interstitial cystitis, has been theorized to be an autoimmune disorder. It is a urinary bladder disease that is characterised by pelvic pain, urinary frequency (as often as every 30 minutes), pain with sexual intercourse, but no pain with urination.
Neuromyotonia is spontaneous muscular activity resulting from repetitive motor unit action potentials of peripheral origin. It develops as a result of both acquired or hereditary diseases. The acquired form is more frequent and is usually caused by antibodies against neuromuscular junction.
Scleroderma is a chronic disease characterized by excessive deposits of collagen. Progressive systemic scleroderma, the serious type of the disease, can be fatal. The local type of the disease is not serious.
Vitiligo is the spontaneous loss of pigment from areas of skin. The pigment-free areas have few or no melanocytes. Researchers have detected anti-melanocyte antibodies in some cases of vitiligo, so it seems likely that at least some instances of this condition are the result of autoimmune problems.
The term vulvodynia is used to describe pain in the vulva, often severe, of unknown cause. "Vulvar vestibulitis" is a related term.

Non-Fiction Usage: Autoimmune Disorder

Subject	Topic	Quote
Health		Some researchers theorize that Peyronie's disease may be an autoimmune disorder. (references)
		Because the body's own immune system causes the damage, celiac disease is considered an autoimmune disorder. (references)
		Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which immune cells attack and destroy the glands that produce tears and saliva. (references)
Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits.

Frequency of Internet Keywords: Autoimmune Disorder

Modern Translation: Autoimmune Disorder

Language		Translations for "autoimmune disorder"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses.
Greek		αυτοάνοση διαταραχή. (various references)

Pig Latin		autoimmuneay isorderday
Source: compiled by the editor from various translation references.

Anagrams: Autoimmune Disorder

Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams
	Words within the letters "a-d-d-e-e-i-i-m-m-n-o-o-r-r-s-t-u-u"
	-5 letters: immoderations.
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro.

Expression	Frequency per Day
autoimmune disorder	155
autoimmune disorder neuropsychiatric pediatric	4
autoimmune disorder skin	3
autoimmune disorder symptom	3
autoimmune disorder thyroid	3
associated autoimmune disorder neuropsychiatric pediatric strep	2
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Autoimmune Disorder

Definition: Autoimmune Disorder