Our immune system usually protects you from diseases and infections. As long as your it is running smoothly, you don’t notice that it’s there. But if the immune system stops working properly – because it’s weak or can't fight particularly aggressive pathogens – you can get a disease.
There are several subsystems within the immune system, known as the innate (Th1)
immune response and the adaptive (Th2) immune response. The main job of the innate immune (Th1) is to fight harmful substances that enter the body, for instance through the skin or digestive system. The adaptive immune (Th2) makes antibodies and uses them to specifically fight certain pathogens that the body has previously come into contact with. These Th2 responses are associated with allergy and asthma development.
Most autoimmune diseases are associated with a pro-inflammatory Th17-immune response when a specific adaptive immune response is mounted against self. In this case the immune system mistakenly thinks that the body's own cells are foreign cells. It then attacks healthy, harmless cells in the body.
Different autoimmune diseases may have similar early symptoms.
- fatigue
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- low grade fever
- muscle aches
- swelling
- trouble concentrating
- numbness and tingling in your hands and feet
- hair loss
- skin rash
Researchers have identified more than 100 autoimmune diseases. Most common types are Type 1 diabetes, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis and many more.
How we can help?
If you want to find out more information about autoimmunity, contact us today at our Ambler, PA physical therapy clinic to make an appointment with one of our specialists at Polishuk Physical Therapy.
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