The environment that surrounds us is full of elements that can help us lead a healthy life and disrupt the normal functioning of the same. However, when such elements attack our body, the body has its security personnel that ensures that these malicious agents cannot gain entry into the system. It is known as the immune system. A healthy immune system is what keeps a majority of diseases at bay. But, what happens when the immune system begins wreaking havoc inside the body? It gives rise to autoimmune diseases.
A person suffers from autoimmune diseases when the immune system, instead of attacking the bacteria and disease-causing viruses, decides to attack the healthy cells. According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), around 50 million Americans suffer from one or the other autoimmune diseases.
Here are 5 of the most common autoimmune diseases that affect a majority of individuals.
Rheumatoid Arthritis- Rheumatoid Arthritis is one of the most common autoimmune diseases that affect the general population. This condition is characterized by excruciating pain and swelling in the joints. The immune system is responsible for attacking the joints, and this gives rise to inflammation. Usually, women over 40 are more susceptible to this autoimmune disease. The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis focuses on reducing bone erosion and joint damage.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus)- Lupus is one such autoimmune disease which cannot be easily detected. It is because the symptoms of this autoimmune disorder are similar to those of other diseases. In lupus, the body produces autoimmune antibodies which attach itself to the tissues throughout the body. Lupus causes inflammation in the joints and can affect the lungs, kidneys, nerves, and blood cells. Also, a butterfly-shaped rash appears on the affected area.
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis- Rheumatoid arthritis affects people who are above 40. However, children as old as 16 too can be detected with arthritis, and this autoimmune disease is called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This condition causes excruciating pain in the joints, and if left untreated, this autoimmune disease can tread into adulthood as well.
Psoriasis- Psoriasis is a skin condition which is the result of an overactive immune system. The immune system goes into overdrive, and the blood cells called T-cells accumulate in the skin. This causes an increase in the production of skin cells which leads to the appearance of silvery, scaly plaques across the surface of the skin.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis)- This form of the autoimmune disease affects the lining of the intestines and results in frequent episodes of disrupted bowel movement abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever and weight loss. Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are the two types of IBD.
Chronic migraine is a condition where the affected person experiences at least 15 headache days a month. It is observed that at least 8 out of these 15 days are migraine headaches with severe symptoms, and this pattern of discomfort remains consistent for 3 months. Initially, it may not be a frequently occurring episode, however, with time, the episodes may get regular with chronic headaches. If left untreated, this condition can affect a person’s life.
Causes
Several factors determine the onset of this kind of migraine. One of them includes a steady increase in the frequency of episodic headaches. Over-the-counter treatment options that are used to treat frequent headaches stop affecting over time, leading to side effects that develop into chronic headaches. Some other factors that can put an individual at a high risk of developing this condition include mood disorders like anxiety or depression, snoring, excessive caffeine intake, ongoing disturbed sleep patterns, and a history of stressful life events causing emotional or physical trauma. An unhealthy lifestyle leading to an increase in the body mass index (BMI) can also be a causal factor.
Symptoms
There is no difference between symptoms of chronic migraines and episodic migraines. However, the only thing to notice is the increased frequency of episodic headaches in a month. Some typical symptoms of this illness can be observed for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Transitioning symptoms (episodic to chronic migraines)
Diagnosis
A health professional will take a look at the affected person’s health history. If needed, the doctor may ask questions that help understand the migraine patterns. The questions include how and when the migraines begin, how long they last, are there any notable physical factors or triggers that worsen the condition, and where the location of the pain is.
The professional may also ask for a detailed history of other health conditions like anxiety, depression, lifestyle choices that may trigger these headaches, any treatment options used, and possible side effects that could be factored into the diagnosis. Based on the results, appropriate treatment methods will be advised and implemented.
Treatment options
Most of the treatment methods focus on managing the symptoms, the migraine attacks, and reducing the episodes and pain.
One of the treatment therapies includes focusing on lifestyle changes.
Some other treatment options for managing migraine attacks include:
Other techniques include:
Also, maintain a headache diary and note down the possible triggers and the number of migraine attacks in a month. If there’s a notable increase in the attacks, consult a doctor at the earliest. Knowing the triggers can help the doctor chalk out an effective treatment plan.
Preventive treatments and methods
Apart from treatment options that help manage the symptoms, there are preventive treatment methods that reduce the episodes of these headaches to a certain extent. These include using beta blockers and other therapies. One such treatment method also includes using an Allergan product named BOTOX®, which doctors recommend for those 18 years and older. The intravenous treatment method is administered around the neck or the head, where the migraine pain usually affects the person. This ten-minute procedure is not painful and can prevent headaches for three months. The procedure takes place in a doctor’s clinic under close supervision.
Chronic migraine can be painful and disrupt everyday life activities, so choosing the right treatment plan is crucial. Get all the information from a licensed health professional and seek the best possible treatment plan according to a detailed diagnosis.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin. The pigment melanin is responsible for giving the skin its color. Advanced melanoma can form inside one’s nose, throat, or digestive tract. Studies show that the risk of melanoma increases in people under 40, especially women. Knowing the early signs of the disease is crucial since melanoma can be treated successfully if detected early.
Stages
There are five stages of melanoma. The cancer cells of Stage 0 melanoma are restricted to the epidermis, the top layer of skin. The epidermis and dermis, the deeper layer of the skin, both contain cancer cells in Stage I melanoma. Stage II melanoma is marked by tumor thickness and ulceration, while Stage III is marked by melanoma deposits in the skin and cancer spreading to nearby lymph nodes. The advanced stage of melanoma, also called metastatic skin cancer, shows the further spread of cancer to distant areas of the body.
Causes of advanced melanoma
The exact cause of melanoma is unknown, although exposure to harsh ultraviolet (UV) radiation, tanning beds, or lamps has been shown to increase one’s risk of getting the disease. One can develop skin disease anywhere in one’s body. Those with a family history of the disease or exposure to radiation or vinyl chloride are also vulnerable to metastatic melanoma.
Signs of advanced melanoma
An early sign of melanoma is the development of an unusual mole. Normal moles are minor and uniform in size and color. But melanoma moles have irregular shapes or borders and can be larger than 6 millimeters. If a mole grows in size, color, and shape and causes itchiness, it’s best to get it checked. Advanced melanoma may lead to chronic fatigue, swollen lymph nodes or liver, loss of appetite, jaundice, skin itchiness, headaches, and even seizures. Depending on where the metastatic melanoma has spread, one may experience chest pain, breathing issues, aching bones, paralysis, sleepiness, and swelling in one’s legs or abdomen.
Melanoma treatment options
The American Cancer Society reports that the five-year survival rate for patients with melanoma that has spread to surrounding lymph nodes is 66%. Surgery is a common way to treat it. Targeted therapy is another method to eliminate the tumor and its metastases selectively. Alternatively, immunotherapy aids a person’s immune system in recognizing and shrinking cancer cells. Other treatments for metastatic skin cancer include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Conclusion
Opdulag is a standard treatment for advanced melanoma skin cancer. The therapy, given by intravenous (IV) infusions, works with one’s immune system and is used to fight cancer that has spread or cannot be surgically removed. If one experiences any early signs of melanoma skin cancer, it’s recommended to consult a doctor immediately.