Blurbal Perspective

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, or MCTD, is a rare autoimmune disorder that is sometimes known as an overlap disease. Signs and symptoms of MCTD are similar to ones found in Lupus, Scleroderma, Polymyositis, Sjogren's, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Raynaud's Phenomenon. With MCTD , symptoms of the above illnesses may not appear at the same time. They are shown to occur over a period of several years, which can make diagnosing the disease extremely complicated. What causes MCTD? The exact cause of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease is still unknown. However, because the immune system in people with MCTD mistakenly battles against healthy cells, it is considered an autoimmune disorder. When it comes to connective tissue disorders like MCTD, the immune system attacks fibers that are responsible for framing and supporting your body. Researchers are still working to identify what specific proteins (in the immune system) are responsible for the symptoms of MCTD. Symptoms of MC...

Evan's syndrome is an extremely rare autoimmune disorder. The immune system destroys the body's red blood cells, platelets, and/or white blood cells. Those who suffer from this illness may have the following: - Thrombocytopenia: Lack of platelets in the body. - Coombs' positive hemolytic anemia: premature destruction of the red blood cells. What causes Evan's syndrome? Exact causes are unknown, but researchers believe that the syndrome is a dysregulation of the immune system. What are the symptoms of Evan's syndrome? Symptoms vary from person to person, as with any disease. Symptoms may vary according to what blood cells may be affected. Some of the most common symptoms associated with this syndrome include: -Weakness -Paleness -Fatigue -Shortness of breath -Unexplained bruising -Prolonged bleeding from small cuts -Susceptibility to infections Individuals with Evan's syndrome may go through periods of remission, where the symptoms be...

CREST syndrome is a subtype of Scleroderma (hardening of the skin). With CREST syndrome, skin changes happen in the lower arms and legs. In some cases, it may occur on the face and throat. This condition has also been known to affect the GI tract in some patients. While problems with CREST syndrome may be on the  mild side, in rare cases, the disease can damage the heart and lungs, causing life-threatening results. CREST syndrome is considered an autoimmune disorder, due to the fact that the immune system causes an overproduction of too much collagen. This can build up on the skin, and in some cases, internal organs, causing a disruption in normal functioning. What are the risk factors of CREST Syndrome? Women are more likely to have this condition than men. This condition is said to affect people of color more often than Caucasians. Individuals with a family history of autoimmune disorders, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, or Hashimoto's disease, are at an increase...

Balo's disease is a subtype of Multiple Sclerosis. Like MS, Balo's disease consists of myelin damage in the nervous system. As you might remember from my MS post , myelin is made up of fatty substances that envelope and protect nerve fibers in the spinal cord and brain. Myelin is essential for correct neurological functioning. What makes Balo's disease somewhat different from MS is that damage to the myelin is circular-shaped. Who is at risk for Balo's Disease? As with MS, Balo's disease is considered an autoimmune disorder. With Balo's disease, not only does the immune system attack healthy tissue, it also attacks healthy cells as well. While a lot is still unknown about Balo's disease, researchers do know that the following increase your risk for Balo's disease: -Being of Filipino or Asian descent. -Having a first generation relative with Balo's disease. -Having a family history of autoimmune diseases. Symptoms of Balo's Dis...

Aplastic Anemia is a rare blood disorder in which the bone marrow does not make enough new blood cells. When it comes to normal anemia, the individual does not produce enough red blood cells. With Aplastic Anemia , the individual does not make enough of all types of blood cells, this includes white blood cells and platelets. The life span of red blood cells is around 120 days. White blood cells live less than one day, and platelets live around 6 days. All of these blood cells must constantly reproduce and make new cells in order for the body to function as it should. When the body is unable to make new blood cells, several health problems could occur. What causes Aplastic Anemia? The cause can be either acquired or inherited. Individuals who acquire Aplastic Anemia may have done so by the following: -Cancer treatments -Infectious diseases, such as HIV and Hepatitis. -Autoimmune disorders, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus . -Toxins Who is 'at risk' fo...

Sarcoidosis is a inflammatory condition that impacts the lungs and lymph nodes. However, it has been known to affect multiple organs in the human body. Individuals who have this disease exhibit abnormal masses, or granulomas. These granulomas are made up of inflamed tissues which have formed in various organs in the body. The granulomas may change the normal structure and functioning of these affected organs. The onset of Sarcoidosis is said to begin between the ages of 20 and 40. Women are often diagnosed more than men. What is the cause of Sarcoidosis? A root cause for Sarcoidosis is unknown. What is known is that it is an autoimmune disease. Researchers are still studying how this condition can move from one part of the body, to the other. Symptoms of Sarcoidosis -Reddish bumps or patches on the skin. -Swollen joints -Blurred vision -Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin, neck, and armpit. -Enlarged lymph nodes around the lungs, and in the chest. -Kidney stone for...

Autonomic neuropathy is a condition that occurs when nerves in charge of bodily functions are damaged. Areas affected include: digestion, bladder functioning, blood pressure, and sexual functioning. The damaged nerves interfere with messages being sent from the brain to other organs across the autonomic nervous system. Areas involved include sweat glands, heart, and blood vessels. Causes of Autonomic Neuropathy Diabetes is the most common cause of Autonomic neuropathy, but other illnesses can cause this condition as well. These illnesses include: -Chronic illnesses such as Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and dementia -Autoimmune diseases, such as: Sjogren's syndrome , Lupus , Rheumatoid Arthritis , and Celiac disease . Other causes of Autonomic Neuropathy include: -Nerve injury caused by radiation to the neck, or surgery. -Medication used to treat cancer. -Infectious diseases, such as: Lyme disease and HIV. Symptoms of Autonomic Neuropathy Sympt...

Myositis is a term used to describe inflammation in the muscles. This condition may be caused by injury, infection, or autoimmune conditions. There are several categories of Myositis : 1. Inflammatory : A condition that causes inflammation throughout the body has the potential to affect the muscles, thus causing the inflammation. A majority of these involve autoimmune conditions. Autoimmune diseases describe an event where the body attacks its own tissues. Some of the autoimmune conditions that may cause myositis include: -Rheumatoid Arthritis -Scleroderma -Lupus 2. Infection: Viral infections are among the most common illnesses that can cause myositis. These viral infections include: flu, cold, and HIV. 3. Drugs: There are several medications and illicit drugs that can cause temporary damage to muscles. Some of these include: alcohol, plaquenil, statins, and cocaine. 4. Injury: Intense workouts can cause swelling and pain in the muscles. This...

Meniere's disease is an inner ear issue that can impact one's balance and hearing. It typically impacts one ear at a time. However, it can develop in the other ear over time. Individuals are usually diagnosed with Meniere's after age 40, but it can develop at any age. What causes Meniere's? As with many of the conditions that I've discussed this month, the cause of Meniere's is unknown. Experts believe that it might be related to fluid in the inner ear called endolymph. In people who have Meniere's, there is too much endolymph in the inner ear. This causes pressure in the inner ear, creating issues with balance. Experts have two theories as to why this happens: -The body mistakenly produces too much fluid. -Fluid isn't being drained from the inner ear properly. Is Meniere's disease autoimmune? While Meniere's itself isn't an autoimmune disease, those of us who suffer from autoimmune disease are at a higher than normal risk for M...

Living with chronic pain and/or chronic illness can be grueling. The simplest tasks that you once did without even thinking about it (getting ready for the day, brushing teeth, getting dressed, going up and down stairs, etc.), are now the energy equivalent of climbing Mount Everest. Each activity of daily living causes extreme pain and extreme exhaustion. People in your life have difficulty understanding what life is like being chronically ill and/or suffering from chronic pain. They say, "Well, this natural remedy worked wonders for my cousin's sister's daughter's co-worker's wife!" People may look at you and ask you when you will be done with being sick. Some may even question how sick you are by saying, " But you don't look sick ." These comments are ones that Christine Miserandino constantly heard. Christine Miserandino is a woman who suffers from Lupus. One day, she was sitting in a diner with her best friend and her friend aske...

Kawasaki disease affects 4,000 children in the United States each year. Kawasaki disease is a rare autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the blood vessels. This disease is known to affect only children. The disease was first discovered in Japan, and is diagnosed in boys more than girls. The onset of Kawasaki  disease occurs in children younger than 5 years of age. While the root cause of Kawasaki disease is not yet known, experts believe that it is an autoimmune disorder. Kawasaki disease is known to affect the lymph nodes, blood vessel walls, heart, and mucous membranes. Symptoms of Kawasaki disease -Fever of 102 degrees that lasts more than 5 days -Swollen hands and feet -Bloodshot eyes -Joint pain -Peeling skin on the hands, feet, and in the genital area -Swollen lymph nodes -Nausea -Coughing -Diarrhea -Runny nose Testing for Kawasaki disease Doctors will usually diagnose the symptoms the child is experiencing. Doctors may order tests for furth...

1 in every 300,000 children in the United States is affected by Juvenile Arthritis. Juvenile Arthritis is an "umbrella term" used to describe a variety of autoimmune conditions that affect children under the age of 16. The various types of Juvenile Arthritis share a wide variety of symptoms, such as joint swelling, pain, warmth, and redness. Some types of JA affect the musculoskeletal system. Others may affect the eyes, muscles, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. Types of Juvenile Arthritis Types of JA include the following: -Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis -Juvenile Lupus -Juvenile Scleroderma -Fibromyalgia What causes Juvenile Arthritis? While a cause for Juvenile Arthritis is still unknown, some suggest genetics may play a key factor. How is JA diagnosed? The journey to being diagnosed can be quite lengthy, as doctors want to be absolutely certain in their diagnosis. Your child will undergo a physical exam and he or she will look at your child's medic...

Chronic illness is a condition that is persistent. Illnesses such as Lupus, Crohn's Disease, Depression, Anxiety, Celiac Disease, and more are life-long illnesses. With it being Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month, I wanted to write about what it is like to live with chronic illness. While each of us have our own unique struggle, we share one common characteristic: life with a chronic illness is, indeed, a struggle. Imagine a war between your immune system and your body. While both are supposed to be on the same side, your immune system has gone rogue. Everything in the body: your skin, your organs, your cells, everything is the enemy and must be destroyed. In the meantime, the person suffers the wrath of this epic battle. This is a real-time picture of what happens to someone with a chronic illness, every minute of everyday. We may look as if we are in good shape, but inside, life is deplorable. We are tired. We are in pain. We are sick. Half the time, we don't know wh...

Only 1 in 100,000 individuals have this disease. Addison's Disease is a rare autoimmune condition that affects the adrenal glands. These glands play a pivotal role in regulating hormones in the body. When these glands don't produce enough hormones, Addison's Disease occurs. In this disease, the adrenal glands have made an insufficient amount of a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is essential for everyday health due to the fact that it regulates the body's response to stress. Cortisol is also responsible for regulating your body's use of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. It aids in regulating blood pressure and helps with cardiovascular function. There are two forms of Addison's Disease: Primary Adrenal Insufficiency : The issue rests solely on the adrenal glands (it started there and is contained there). Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency : The issue started elsewhere in the body, such as the pituitary gland. How is Addison's Disease considered au...

Roughly 2% of the population has the following autoimmune condition. Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin condition in which white patches develop onto the skin. This condition can affect any area of the body. Individuals who have vitiligo have white patches in various areas of the body.  This condition is caused by a loss of pigment (melanin) in the skin. While the root cause is not known, doctors theorize that the cause may be autoimmune. They believe that the body's immune system destroys the pigment forming cells (melanocytes), thus causing the white patches on the skin. What are the risk factors for Vitiligo? The onset of this condition develops early in life, when the individual is between 10 and 30 years of age. It is believed that if a family member has this condition, others are at risk for developing vitiligo . Individuals who have other autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto's, are at risk for vitiligo. Symptoms of Vitiligo -Rapid loss of skin pigmentation on ...

Vasculitis refers to inflammation of blood vessels in the body. When these blood vessels experience inflammation, they weaken and stretch in size. Some may narrow or close entirely. There are some forms of vasculitis that affect the internal organs, examples being the brain, skin, and eyes. Other forms of vasculitis may affect many organs at one time. What causes Vasculitis and how is it considered autoimmune? The underlying cause of vasculitis is unknown. However, some believe that it can be triggered by particular viruses or allergies to medications. Vasculitis is known to develop when a virus has manifested and left. The viral infection triggers an abnormal response in the affected individual's immune system. This can cause the immune system to attack the blood vessels, causing damage. It is also believed that vasculitis is a possible complication of other autoimmune diseases, such as Sjogrens Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, or Lupus. Vasculitis has the potential...

Sjogren's Syndrome is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the glands that provide moisture to the body (tears, saliva, etc). Individuals who have this disease have difficulty with producing tears and saliva. In rare cases, this illness can affect the kidneys and lungs. Doctors are still uncertain as to what causes this disease, but they do know that it runs in families. People who have Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and/ or Scleroderma are at risk of developing Sjogren's. While anyone can develop Sjogren's , it is more likely to develop in caucasian women between the ages of 40 and 50. Symptoms of Sjogren's Syndrome -Very dry mouth -Very dry eyes -Itching and burning in the eyes. How is Sjogren's Syndrome diagnosed? Your doctor will conduct a physical examination, and ask questions about your symptoms. Your doctor may ask about any medications you have been taking, just to rule out other causes for the symptoms. After examination, y...

In the medical world, there has been a great deal of controversy as to whether or not Endometriosis is an autoimmune disorder, or the result of another autoimmune disease, such as Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Endometriosis is a painful condition. Cells that are normally found in the uterine lining, start to appear in other areas of the body. It is still unclear as to how these cells made it to other areas of the body. The immune system targets these cells and wages an attack on them, thinking that these cells are foreign. On the flipside, scientists also believe that the immune system may not acknowledge these misplaced cells. This will allow the cells to continue their journey throughout the body, causing damage to various organs. Symptoms of Endometriosis -Heavy menstrual periods -Infertility -Pelvic pain -Cramping -Lower back pain -Pain during sexual intercourse How is Endometriosis diagnosed? Your doctor will conduct a physical examination. In some cases...

Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. In Hashimoto's, a person's immune system creates antibodies that cause damage to the thyroid gland. While doctors are not 100% sure about what causes Hashimoto's , they theorize that it may have something to do with genetics, bacteria, or a virus. Who's at risk for Hashimoto's Disease? While anyone can develop Hashimoto's, women are more at risk for developing the disease than men. The disease is often seen in middle age than at any other age. As mentioned before, genetics do play a role in someone being at risk for Hashimoto's. If you have a family member with this disease, or any other autoimmune disease, you may be at risk for Hashimoto's Disease. Symptoms of Hashimoto's Disease -Goiter on the front of the neck -Fatigue -Weight gain -Joint pain -Hoarse voice -Pale face -Puffy face -Muscle aches and weakness It is important that you contact your docto...

Graves' Disease is an autoimmune disorder that results in too much production of hormones in the thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Thyroid hormones affect a great number of systems in the body, so there is a wide range of symptoms of Graves ' that can significantly impact ones overall well-being. What causes Graves' Disease? Graves' is caused by an immune system malfunction. The body produces an antibody to a portion of the cells in the thyroid gland. This antibody acts like it is a regular pituitary gland. It overrides the normal mechanics of the thyroid, causing the thyroid to produce too many hormones. Symptoms of Graves' Disease -Irritability -Anxiety -Hand tremors -Sensitivity to heat -Increased sweating -Thyroid gland becomes enlarged -Bulging eyes -Heart palpitations -Decreased sexual libido What is Graves' opthalmopathy? It is estimated that 30% of the individuals who have Graves' disease have something called Graves' Ophthalmopa...