http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Autoimmune_disorders/Autoimmune_disorders.asp An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. en-us 2012-02-25T09:36:23.0000000+05:30 http://www.pediatriconcall.com/rss_media/rss_rss_Autoimmune_Disorders.jpg http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Autoimmune_disorders/Autoimmune_disorders.asp Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. In other words, the body actually attacks its own cells. The immune system mistakes some part of the body as a pathogen and attacks it. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Autoimmune_disorders/Autoimmune_disorders.asp 2012-02-23T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 SLE or lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting various organs of the body including skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints and nervous system. When only the skin is involved, the condition is called discoid lupus. When internal organs are involved, the condition is called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Autoimmune_disorders/sle.asp 2011-06-17T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 In patients with discoid lupus, only the skin is involved. The rash usually is seen on the face and scalp, is red with raised borders and does not itch or cause pain but scarring may occur leading to permanent hair loss. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Autoimmune_disorders/sle1.asp 2011-06-17T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 There is no curative treatment available. The goal of therapy is to decrease the autoimmune activity in the body and severity of organ damage – Therapy consists of a combination of medications, rest and patient education. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Autoimmune_disorders/sle2.asp 2011-06-17T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 Juvenile Rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a chronic disease leading to swelling, pain, stiffness and redness in the joints. Chronic joint affection leads to destruction and deformity of the joints. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Autoimmune_disorders/jra.asp 2011-06-17T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis may have a waxing and waning course. Remissions may occur spontaneously (rare) or with treatment and can last for weeks, months or years. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Autoimmune_disorders/jra1.asp 2011-06-17T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 There is no curative treatment available. The goal of therapy is to reduce the arthritis, maximize joint function and prevent joint destruction and deformity. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Autoimmune_disorders/jra2.asp 2011-06-17T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 Takayasus arteritis is a condition that leads to inflammation of the aorta and its major branches and narrowing with decreased blood supply. It is a chronic condition. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Autoimmune_disorders/takayasus_arteritis.asp 2011-06-17T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 Inflammation of blood vessels is called as vasculitis. Depending on the size of the blood vessel and the organ of the body which is being supplied by the vessel, symptoms occur. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Autoimmune_disorders/vasculitis.asp 2011-06-17T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 Guillian Barre (pronounced as Gee-a-bar-e) syndrome is one of the causes of paralysis of both legs and hands of the body. It is also called as GBS. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Autoimmune_disorders/gbs.asp 2011-06-17T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are unusual antibodies that are directed against the structures within the nucleus of the cells. Presence of ANA indicates the presence of autoimmune disease. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Autoimmune_disorders/ana.asp 2011-06-17T00:00:00.0000000+05:30