Abraham Tekola MD on auto immune disorders

Aug. 1, 2010 - PRLog -- An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue.

Normally the immune system's army of white blood cells helps protect the body from harmful substances, called antigens. But in patients with an autoimmune disorder, the immune system can't tell the difference between healthy body tissue and antigens. The result is an immune response that destroys normal body tissues. With autoimmune disorders, the immune system reacts to normal body tissues.

What causes the immune system to no longer distinguish between healthy body tissues and antigens is unknown. One theory holds that various microorganisms and drugs may trigger some of these changes, particularly in persons who are genetically prone to autoimmune disorders.

An autoimmune disorder may affect one or more organ or tissue types. A person may have more than one autoimmune disorder at the same time.

Symptoms of an autoimmune disease vary widely and depend on the specific disease. The health care provider will perform a physical exam. Specific signs vary widely and depend on the specific disease.

"The goals of treatment are to reduce symptoms and control the autoimmune process while maintaining the body's ability to fight disease. Treatments vary widely and depend on the specific disease and your symptoms," said Abraham Tekola, MD.

Medicines are often prescribed to control or reduce the immune system's response. There is no known prevention for most autoimmune disorders.

For more info:

http://www.abrahamtekola.org

About Abraham Tekola, MD

Dr. Abrham Tekola practices family practice in Carmichael, California.

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About Abraham Tekola, MD

Dr. Abrham Tekola practices family practice in Carmichael, California. For more info:
http://www.abrahamtekola.org