Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune diseases can cause you to feel generally run down or produce nagging muscle aches and joint pain before becoming severe enough to raise red flags. At the Rheumatic Disease Center in Milwaukee and Glendale, Wisconsin, you can consult exceptional specialists trained to identify the cause of your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan. Call the nearest office today or book an appointment online to get expert care for autoimmune disease symptoms that don’t improve.

What causes an autoimmune disease?

Normally, your immune system keeps you healthy by attacking and eliminating viruses, germs, and other harmful substances. An autoimmune disease causes your immune system to mistakenly attack healthy body tissues.

When you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system malfunctions, determining that a part of your body is dangerous to your health. In a misguided effort to protect you, the immune system mounts a response, attacking healthy cells or tissue and causing inflammation and tissue damage.

What are the most common autoimmune diseases?

There are more than 100 known autoimmune diseases, the most common being:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus
• Psoriasis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Celiac disease
• Thyroid disorders
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Hemolytic anemia
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Scleroderma
• Sjögren’s syndrome 

People with one autoimmune disease have a much higher risk of developing a second condition.

What are the symptoms of autoimmune diseases?

Your symptoms depend on which autoimmune disease you have. However, as a group, these conditions frequently cause:

• Fatigue
• Skin rashes
• Inflammation and swelling
• Recurrent fevers
• Muscle aches
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Difficulty concentrating

Some autoimmune diseases cause symptoms that flare up for a while, then go into temporary remission. Others cause constant symptoms that lead to progressive tissue damage.

Am I at risk for an autoimmune disease?

Men develop autoimmune diseases, but women have a significantly higher risk. Women represent more than 75% of all people diagnosed with an autoimmune condition.

Your risk is also higher if you have a family history of autoimmune disorders. Some autoimmune diseases, like lupus, run in families. But it’s also common for several people in one family to have different autoimmune conditions.

A genetic tendency could predict your risk of developing an autoimmune condition without giving you a hint about which one might eventually appear.

How are autoimmune diseases treated?

The Rheumatic Disease Center team treats each person individually, creating a plan that deals with their specific diagnosis, symptoms severity, and overall health.

Though each autoimmune disease requires unique treatment, the foundation of your care includes a vast array of medications. These drugs are combined with physical therapy and personalized recommendations for improving your diet and lifestyle.

Call the Rheumatic Disease Center today or request an appointment online to learn more about autoimmune diseases or get help for your symptoms.