An auto immune disease is a disease of the human body where the immune system of thebody attacks its own cells in the joints as in Rheumatoid arthritisOr in the skin as in psoriasisOr in the muscles as in Myasthenia gravisOr throughout the body as in Systemic Lupus ErythematosisThere are over 80 different types of auto immune diseases in the bodyWhat is the cause of Auto Immune Disease?Normally the body immune system which consists of the white blood cells will attack theharmful bacteria, cancer or other substances in the body and try to destroy them as antigens.In the auto immune disease the body's immune system attacks the normal body cells instead.Some of the organs or tissue damaged by the auto immune disease includes:1. Bones and joints2. Muscles3. Blood vessels4. Endocrine glands5. Skin6. Blood cellsThe cause of this behavior is not known but micro-organisms and toxins may trigger off these reactions in people who may have the genes to be affected by the abnormal immune response.What are the symptoms of auto immune diseases?Symptoms may be:1. fatigue2. fever3. abnormal symptoms depending on the organ affectedHow is the diagnosis of an auto immune disease made?1. antinuclear antibody test2. C reactive Protein3. Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate(ESR)What is the Treatment of Auto immune disease?The treatment depends on the specific disease and organ involved.The purpose of treatment is to:1. boost the immune system of the body2. treat the symptoms of the auto immune disease3. control the severity of the auto immune processMedicines :Medicines prescribed for the control of the immune system are called immuno-suppressivedrugs:1. corticosteroids such as prednisolone2. non steroid drugs such as methotrexate, cyclophosphamidesSome auto immune diseases causes depletion of the red blood cells .In these conditions blood transfusions may be requiredWhere the bones and joints are involved, supportive help with bones and joints are needed.What are the complications of the auto immune disease?There is at the moment no cure for these diseases.However the auto immune diseases can be controlled with medications.The condition can become worse or the side effects of the medications may cause infections.What is the prognosis of auto immune disease?The outcome depends on the disease. However most are chronic and cannot be easily cured.They however can be controlled with medications.TABLE OF CONTENTChapter 1 What is Auto Immune Disease?Chapter 2 Addison's DiseaseChapter 3 Celiac DiseaseChapter 4 Myasthenia GravisChapter 5 PsoriasisChapter 6 Rheumatoid ArthritisChapter 7 Systemic Lupus ErythematosisChapter 8 Epilogue