There are more than 80 autoimmune disorders/reactions, including autoimmune hepatitis, urticaria, food allergy, and seasonal allergic rhinitis. In autoimmune disease, the immune system attacks itself, unintentionally resulting in illness. The effects of autoimmune diseases can be present in connective tissues of the body, nerves, muscles, endocrine system, and the digestive system. Certain autoimmune disorders have similar symptoms, so diagnosing a particular disease may be a challenge. Autoimmune disorders often affect woman more than men, and the diseases tend to be genetic.
Autoimmune hepatitis is a serious disease in which the immune system attacks cells in the liver, which causes the liver to become inflamed. If autoimmune hepatitis is not treated, the disease worsens and leads to scarring or hardening of the liver, known as cirrhosis. Liver failure and death are the end results of autoimmune hepatitis. Autoimmune hepatitis is classified as type I or type II, with type I being the most common form in North America.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: None
Off-Label Prescription Drugs Breakthrough Options: Azathioprine, Cyclosporine, Mercaptopurine, Mycophenolate mofetil, Prednisone
About one percent of adults and five percent of children have food allergies — adverse reactions to certain foods triggered by the immune system. In food allergy, the immune system mistakes the ingested food as harmful and activates certain cells to produce antibodies to fight the food or food component. These antibodies release chemicals such as histamine into the blood, and cause allergic symptoms such as dry throat, itchy eyes, dripping nose, hives, and difficulty breathing.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: None
Off-Label Prescription Drugs Breakthrough Options: Cromolyn
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