MODULE II

Partial List of Common Autoimmune

Disorders

Name Description

Addison’s disease Addison’s disease is a disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough
hormones.

Celiac disease - sprue Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that damages the lining of the small intestine. This
damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This is a substance that is found in wheat,
rye, barley, and possibly oats. It is also found in food made from these ingredients.

The damaged intestine is not able to absorb nutrients from food.

Dermatomyositis Dermatomyositis is a muscle disease that involves inflammation and a skin rash. Polymyositis
is a similar inflammatory condition that also involves muscle weakness, swelling, tenderness,
and tissue damage but no skin rash. Both are part of a larger group of diseases called
inflammatory myopathy.

Graves’ disease Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to an overactive thyroid gland
(hyperthyroidism). An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune
system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis Chronic thyroiditis is caused by a reaction of the immune system against the thyroid gland. It
(Chronic thyroiditis) often results in reduced thyroid function (hypothyroidism).

The disorder is also called Hashimoto’s disease.

The thyroid gland is located in the neck, above where your collarbone meets in the middle.

Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord
(central nervous system).

Myasthenia gravis Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder. Neuromuscular disorders involve the muscles
and the nerves that control them.

Pernicious anemia Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red
blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. There are many types of anemia.

Pernicious anemia is a decrease in red blood cells that occurs when the intestines cannot
properly absorb vitamin B12.

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MODULE II

Name Description

Reactive arthritis Reactive arthritis is a type of arthritis that follows an infection. It may also cause
inflammation of the eyes, skin, and urinary and genital systems.

Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and
surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also affect other organs.

Sjögren’s syndrome Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which the glands that produce tears and
saliva are destroyed. This causes dry mouth and dry eyes. The condition may affect other
parts of the body, including the kidneys and lungs.

Systemic lupus Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune
erythematosus system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It can affect the skin, joints, kidneys,
brain, and other organs.

Type I diabetes This is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys
healthy body tissue. With type 1 diabetes, an infection or another trigger causes the body to
mistakenly attack the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin. The tendency to develop
autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, can be inherited from your parents.

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong (chronic) disease in which there is a high level of sugar (glucose)
in the blood.

Adapted from source: Autoimmune disorders: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved 1 June 2021, from here.
List of 90+ autoimmune diseases here.

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