A UTOIMMUNE D ISORDERS

A RTHRITIS O VERVIEW One of the most common, disabling diseases Three types: Osteoarthritis Gout Rheumatoid Arthritis

O STEOARTHRITIS Wear and Tear on joints Affects mostly older adults; men & women Joint pain, stiffness Relieved by pain relievers and low- impact exercise

G OUT Build up of uric acid in joints Affects mostly older males May be very painful

R HEUMATOID A RTHRITIS Autoimmune disorder Causes inflamed tissue that destroys cartilage Affects young and middle-age adults; more females than males May be very painful

A NKYLOSING S PONDYLITIS Another type of arthritis Affects the joints of the spine Likely genetic Symptoms / treatment

F IBROMYALGIA “Waste basket diagnosis” Complex, chronic pain disorder Affects about 10 million Americans Mostly women

F IBROMYALGIA C ONTINUED Diagnosis include Detailed history Pain in at least 11 of 18 designated tender points. Other diseases need to be ruled out first Symptoms include: Widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disorders, fibro “fog”, headaches, anxiety, and/or depression

C HRONIC F ATIGUE S YNDROME (CFS) Another “Waste basket diagnosis” Diagnosis must meet 2 criteria: Patient must have unexplained, persistent fatigue for 6 months or more (other diseases ruled out) Four or more “approved” symptoms must be present for at least 6 months CFS “fog”, unrefreshing sleep, muscle pain, joint pain without swelling, headaches, flu-like symptoms, tender lymph nodes, recurring sore throat

CFS C ONTINUED May be very debilitating No medications; no cure Complementary & alternative medicines may help Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) Graded Exercise Therapy (GET)

S YSTEMIC L UPUS E RYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) Immune system produces antibodies to body cells causing inflammation and tissue damage. One main characteristic: butterfly facial rash Other symptoms: Fatigue, joint pain, fever

SLE C ONTINUED Affects mostly young women May co-exist with other autoimmune conditions May affect any organ in the body Death usually occurs from organ failure Survival increasing