Question

Would you comment on antibodies such as those found in lupus, and other blood diseases. My doctor says I have a blood disease that thinks my body is foregn, and my good cells are attacking my other good cells. What can you tell me about this?

Answer

The diseases that you are talking about, such as lupus, are 'auto-immune' diseases. We all have antibodies that help combat infection and illnesses. For example if we get a cold virus our bodies react to this antigen and form antibodies against it. The antigen is what caused our sickness. Now that we have made these antibodies to this particular antigen the next time we come into contact with this same antigen our body kills it with the circulating antibody, so that we don't get sick.

In some people their antibodies see some of their own cells as 'foreign' and attack them as if they represented an infection or poison (toxin). If this happens, they develop an 'autoimmune' disease.

Autoimmune diseases can each affect the body in different ways. For instance, the autoimmune reaction is directed against the brain in multiple sclerosis, and the small intestine in Crohn's disease. In other diseases, such lupus, the affected tissues and organs may vary among individuals with the same disease.

Many autoimmune diseases are rare. Most strike women more often than men. These diseases are often chronic, requiring lifelong care and monitoring,

even when the person may look or feel well. Currently, few autoimmune diseases can be cured or made to 'disappear' with treatment. However, many people with these diseases can live normal lives when they receive appropriate medical care.

Links

• American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association