Autoimmune disorders
From Wiki4CAM
An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders. [1]
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Mechanism and immunological tolerance
Autoimmune disorders are result of loss of tolerance, which is the ability of immune system to differentiate self-antigen from non-self antigen. Tolerance to self-antigens occurs by deletion of self-reactive B and T cells (B and T cells are group of lymphocytes which play a diversified role in immunity) during their maturation in the bone marrow and thymic environments. These are modulatory, individualistic and multiple factorial in nature. Recognition of self-antigen protein by peripheral T cells in the absence of co-stimulatory signals elicits anergy (a condition in which the body fails to react to an antigen). Therefore it may prevent the activation of potentially self-reactive T cells in the periphery. Similarly clonal expansion of auto-reactive T cells may be inhibited by regulatory (suppressor) T cells, which produce immunosuppressive cytokines (proteins produced by cells of immune system). In these situations self-antigen may be inaccessible or present in such low quantities as to trigger an immune response. If these mechanisms fail then autoimmune disease may occur. In cases of infection induced autoimmunity in persons genetically susceptible, the infected tissue becomes a target of the immune response.
Aetiology, incidence and risk factors
The aetiology of autoimmune disorders, as per modern scientific approach, is unknown. But certain individuals are genetically susceptible to developing autoimmune diseases and various microorganisms, toxins and drugs may trigger the symptoms in such persons who are genetically prone to autoimmune disorders. Homoeopathic concept of genetics is categorised in the form of miasms, and fine tuned by differentiation of constitution, modalities and individualised symptomatology.
Sex or hormonal levels seem to have a role in autoimmune disorder. Most of the known autoimmune disorders tend to show a female predominance, exceptions being ankylosing spondylitis, which has a male predominance. In Crohn’s disease, it is roughly equal prevalence in males and females. Interestingly, an inverse relationship exists between infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders. In areas where multiple infectious diseases are endemic, autoimmune diseases are low or rarely seen. Organs and tissues commonly affected by autoimmune disorders include red blood cells, blood vessels, connective tissues, endocrine glands such as the thyroid or pancreas, muscles, joints and skin.
Classification
There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders. These can be classified in many ways and with many sub-classifications. A broad comprehensive classification of most common autoimmune disorders is as follows:
- Systemic autoimmune disorders
a. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) b. Sjogren’s syndrome (progressive dryness of mucous membrane) c. Scleroderma (local and systemic fibrosis with rigidity) d. Rheumatoid arthiritis (RA) e. Polymyositis f. Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN)
- Organ-specific / localised autoimmune disorders
a. Hashimoto's thyroiditis b. Graves disease c. Type 1 diabetes mellitus d. Addison's disease e. Pernicious anaemia f. Multiple sclerosis g. Myasthenia gravis h. Celiac disease i. Myositis
Scope of CAM therapies for autoimmune disorders
Ayurveda
Homeopathy
Homoeopathy is known for its positive role in autoimmune diseases. Clinical trials have showed the efficacy of individualised homoeopathic medicines in the treatment of people with rheumatoid arthritis, which suggested that homoeopathic medicines have a corrective role in defective immune system. As the strength of the vital force diminishes, normal reaction to external stimuli is replaced by over-reaction (allergies) to external stimuli, after which follows reaction to self (autoimmune disease) - which in normal condition should be none. Further depletion leads to no reaction to anything - which allows the growth of abnormal cells and tissues as in cancer and other degenerative diseases. If the level of autoimmunity is low it is beneficial. It might aid in the recognition of neoplastic cells and reduce the incidence of cancer. It is accepted fact that the curative capacity of homoeopathy extends to allergic manifestations, autoimmune diseases and viral infections. [2]
References
- ↑ Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia Autoimmune Disorders
- ↑ Annual Report – 2005, Department of Ayush, Government of India
