Autoimmune Disorders
Treatment Of Autoimmune Disorders
Treatment is specific to the disease, and usually concentrates on lessening the discomfort of the symptoms rather than correcting the underlying cause. Treatment also involves controlling the physiological aspects of the immune response, such as inflammation. This is typically achieved using two types of drugs. Steroids are used to control inflammation. There are many different steroids, each having side effects. The use of steroids is determined by the benefits gained by their use versus the side effects produced. Another form of treatment uses immunosuppressive drugs, which inhibit the replication of cells. By stopping cell division, non-immune cells are also suppressed. This can lead to, for example, side effects such as anemia.
See also Cell death; Immunology.
Resources
Books
Abbus, Abdul K., and Andrew H. Lichtman. Basic Immunology: Function and Disorders of the Immune System Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 2001.
Baron-Faust, Rita, Jill P. Buyon and Virginia Ladd. The Autoimmune Connection: Essential Information for Women on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Getting On with Your Life New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
Moore, Elaine A., Lisa Moore, and Kelly R. Hale. Graves' Disease: A Practical Guide. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, 2001.
Santamaria, Pere. Cytokines and Chemokines in Autoimmune Diseases (Medical Intelligence Unit, 30) Georgetown, TX: Eurekah.com, Inc., 2002.
Other
National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2520, Bethesda, MD 20892–2520 [cited January 10, 2003]. <http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/autoimmune/autoimmune.tm>.
John Thomas Lohr
Additional topics
Science EncyclopediaScience & Philosophy: A-series and B-series to Ballistic Missiles - Categories Of Ballistic MissileAutoimmune Disorders - The Immune System, Diagnosis Of Autoimmune Disorders, Treatment Of Autoimmune Disorders - General autoimmune disorders, Autoimmune disorders of the endocrine glands