Early Care Improves Life with Autoimmune Disease
Early diagnosis prevents damage to organs and tissues
Early diagnosis prevents damage to organs and tissues
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that more than 15 million people in the United States suffer from at least one autoimmune disease.
There are dozens of different types of autoimmune disease, and they can affect almost any part of the body. And though it’s believed that certain factors trigger the condition — or cause a flare-up — the exact cause is unknown.
“Autoimmune diseases are conditions where a person’s own immune system starts to malfunction and attack their healthy organs and tissues,” explains Usman Ajaz, MD, a rheumatologist at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Vista, who specializes in the treatment of lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma.
Common types and symptoms
“Autoimmune diseases can affect virtually any organ or tissue in the body. Depending on the specific disease, the immune system may target joints (rheumatoid arthritis), skin (psoriasis), glands (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), or vital organs like the kidneys (lupus), lungs, brain or heart. Some autoimmune diseases are organ-specific, while others are systemic and affect multiple parts of the body,” Dr. Ajaz says.
Chronic autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, type I diabetes, lupus and multiple sclerosis, often come with a myriad of symptoms that can be challenging to diagnose and manage. From persistent fatigue, inflammation and pain to more complex health issues, autoimmune disease can impact nearly every aspect of a person’s life.
However, there is hope.
Advances in autoimmune disease treatment
Though there is no cure for most types of autoimmune disease, advances in care and physicians with expertise across multiple specialties — including rheumatology, neurology, endocrinology, gastroenterology and dermatology — mean people diagnosed with autoimmune disease have treatment options.
“I tell patients who are newly diagnosed, my goal is that everything that was on the table before this diagnosis should remain on the table,” says Louis Goodrich, DO, a neurologist at Scripps Clinic who specializes in treating multiple sclerosis. “We don’t yet know the complex sequence of events that have to happen to trigger an autoimmune reaction, but we have therapies that can help limit damage by a rogue immune system.”
Importance of early diagnosis
Early diagnosis and treatment can improve a patient’s quality of life and reduce the chance of permanent damage. An anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise and stress management can help reduce flare-ups.
“It’s extremely important for autoimmune disease to be managed properly, closely and as early as possible as it helps prevent irreversible damage to organs and joints, improving long-term outcomes and quality of life. It reduces the frequency and severity of disease flares and may lessen the need for high-risk medications. Timely treatment also lowers the risk of complications like infections, heart disease and disability,” says Dr. Ajaz.
Dr. Ajaz and Dr. Goodrich both agree that a good patient-doctor relationship is paramount.
Collaborative, patient-centered care
Scripps physicians combine advanced medical treatments with patient-centered care to deliver comprehensive, personalized treatment plans for people with autoimmune conditions. Scripps’ team of specialists works with primary care doctors to address the full scope of each patient’s health and help them navigate the complexities of living with an autoimmune condition.
“It’s important to have a collaborative team because treating a patient’s autoimmune disease takes a team effort,” says Dr. Goodrich.
This content appeared in San Diego Health, a publication in partnership between Scripps and San Diego Magazine that celebrates the healthy spirit of San Diego.