What Does Autoimmune Disease Mean? A Beginner's Guide

The immune system is one of the body's most important defence mechanisms. It identifies and fights harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses while normally leaving the body's own healthy tissues alone. An autoimmune disease develops when this system mistakenly reacts against the body's own cells, tissues or organs.

There are more than 80 recognised autoimmune diseases, and they do not all affect the body in the same way. Some primarily affect one organ, while others can involve several parts of the body.

What Does Autoimmune Disease Mean?

In simple terms, an autoimmune disease means that the immune system loses some of its ability to distinguish the body's own tissues from something harmful.

For example, in type 1 diabetes, the immune system damages insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. In rheumatoid arthritis, it primarily affects the joints. In some autoimmune diseases, several organs can be involved.

Several forms of myositis, particularly the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, are rare autoimmune diseases that can affect skeletal muscles and, depending on the subtype, the skin, lungs, joints and other organs.

What Causes Autoimmune Diseases?

There is no single cause that explains all autoimmune diseases. Researchers believe that a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors may contribute to their development.

Infections and other environmental exposures may act as triggers in people who are already susceptible. However, having a particular risk factor does not mean that a person will definitely develop an autoimmune disease.

This is also why it is usually inaccurate to blame an autoimmune disease on one food, lifestyle choice or stressful event.

What Are the Common Autoimmune Disease Symptoms?

Symptoms depend largely on which part of the body is affected. Common symptoms can include:

• Persistent fatigue
• Joint pain, stiffness or swelling
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Skin rashes
• Fever
• Changes in weight
• Digestive symptoms
• Swelling, warmth or tenderness in affected areas

Many of these symptoms are not specific to autoimmune disease. Fatigue, muscle pain and joint pain, for example, can occur with infections, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal disorders and many other conditions.

Some autoimmune diseases also follow a pattern of flares, when symptoms become more active, followed by periods when symptoms improve.

How Are Autoimmune Diseases Diagnosed?

There is no universal blood test for autoimmune disease.

A doctor generally starts with the patient's symptoms, medical history and physical examination. Depending on what is suspected, investigations may include blood counts, inflammatory markers, autoantibody tests, imaging and other specialised tests.

For suspected myositis, doctors may assess muscle enzymes such as creatine kinase and use tests such as myositis-specific antibody testing, electromyography, muscle MRI and, in selected cases, muscle biopsy. Diagnosis is based on the overall clinical picture rather than one test alone.

Can Autoimmune Diseases Be Treated?

Most autoimmune diseases are chronic conditions, but many can be managed with appropriate treatment. The treatment depends on the particular disease, the organs involved and the severity of symptoms.

Depending on the condition, treatment may include medicines that control the abnormal immune response, medicines that replace substances the body can no longer produce, physiotherapy or other supportive care.

In India, patients may need to see a rheumatologist, neurologist, dermatologist, gastroenterologist or another specialist depending on their symptoms.

The Role of Myositis India

For people trying to understand a rare autoimmune disease such as myositis, finding reliable information can be an important part of the journey. Myositis India, a unit of the Madalasa Foundation, works specifically to raise awareness about myositis, support patients and caregivers, connect people with healthcare professionals and promote research. Its resources include educational material, support services, specialist networks and information about clinical trials.

Myositis India is a patient advocacy organisation, not a hospital or clinic, so its resources should complement, rather than replace, medical advice.

FAQs

Is autoimmune disease contagious?

No. Autoimmune diseases are not infections and cannot be passed from one person to another through ordinary contact.

Is myositis an autoimmune disease?

Yes, several important forms of myositis are autoimmune diseases, including dermatomyositis, antisynthetase syndrome and immune-mediated necrotising myopathy. The broader term ‘myositis’ can also include conditions with different causes

Can autoimmune disease go away completely?

Many autoimmune diseases are long-term conditions. Treatment can often control symptoms and reduce disease activity, but whether a condition can enter remission or requires lifelong management depends on the specific disease.

Can stress cause an autoimmune disease?

Stress may influence symptoms or disease activity in some people, but autoimmune diseases generally cannot be attributed to stress alone. Their development involves multiple factors.