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CD-ROM Today 1996 January
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02168.txt
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1994-01-17
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$Unique_ID{BRK02168}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{How Autoimmune Diseases Happen}
$Subject{diseases immunity immunization immune system organs cells infections
viruses allergies asthma arthritis cancer tonsils adenoids thymus spleen Peyer
patches appendix lymph bone marrow bacteria fungus parasites foreign organisms
antibodies autoimmune lupus erythematosus rheumatoid arthritis thyroiditis
myasthenia gravis anemia juvenile diabetes multiple sclerosis self destruction
Autoimmune}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Immune Cell Production Sites I*0004501.scf
Immune Cell Production Sites II*0004502.scf}
Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
How Autoimmune Diseases Happen
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QUESTION: I've heard that lots of diseases are caused by trouble with the
immune system when it malfunctions and works against the body it's supposed
to protect. In fact it seems that almost every new disease I read about has
something to do with this action, but I don't understand how it works. Can
you clarify this?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER: The immune system is one of the most complex and mysterious systems
of the human body. It consists of a network of organs and cells that work
together to defend the body against "foreign invaders." The immune system can
fight off infections, viruses and diseases. When it malfunctions, however, it
can bring on ailments ranging from allergies to asthma to arthritis and even
cancer.
Organs of the immune system are located throughout the body. They are
the tonsils and adenoids in the neck and throat area, the thymus in the chest
area, the spleen, Peyer's patches and appendix in the abdomen, the lymph nodes
located in several areas throughout the body and bone marrow in the limbs.
The system has a very elaborate communications network and is able to
distinguish between "self" and "nonself" invaders that can be viruses,
bacteria, fungus, parasites or other foreign organisms. The healthy immune
system is continually fighting off such invaders.
In certain people, though, the immune system wrongly mistakes "self" as
"nonself." The body then begins to manufacture antibodies against its own
organs and cells. The resulting problems are called "autoimmune" diseases.
Such diseases include lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis,
myasthenia gravis and certain kinds of anemia. Researchers also believe
juvenile diabetes and multiple sclerosis may also be autoimmune diseases.
When scientists can discover why the body turns against itself, and develop
ways of preventing this self destruction, those answers may help remedy a wide
variety of diseases that now are so difficult to treat and cure. It is this
search that is one of the most intriguing areas in medicine today, with the
greatest potential for the new "breakthroughs" in therapy and treatments.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.