Autoimmune Diseases and Disorders

Description of Autoimmune Diseases and Disorders

The immune system is a network of organs, cells and molecules that work together to defend the body against attacks by foreign (not of the body) invaders such as germs, bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. When one of these invaders (antigens) tries to break into the body, the body\'s first line of defense is the skin and mucous membranes.

The skin and mucous membranes house macrophages (white cells of the tissues) and antibodies. The macrophages job is to digest the antigens while the antibodies trap the antigens that got away. If the antigens break through these barriers, the body reacts by producing lymphocytes (B and T cells) programmed to attack and kill the antigen.

In general terms, when antibodies are directed against the body\'s own cells, or when B and T cells attack and destroy their own body\'s cells and not foreign antigens, an autoimmune disorder can result.

The autoimmune process can have varied consequences. For example, slow destruction of a particular type of cell or tissue, stimulation of an organ into excessive growth or interference in its functions. Organs and tissues frequently affected include the thyroid, pancreas, adrenal glands as well as red blood cells and connective tissues (skin, muscle and joints).

Autoimmune disorders are classified into two types, organ-specific (directed mainly at one organ) and non-organ-specific (widely spread throughout the body).

Diseases:

    Vitiligo and its homoeopathic managements

Conducted By Dr. Rajeev Singh, B.Sc., B.H.M.S., Gold Medallist; Jail Road; Rae Bareli

Introduction:

Vitiligo is a disease process that results in depigmented areas in the skin. It usually begins after birth and, although it can develop in childhood, the average age at onset is about 20years. Most commonly, vitiligo produces symmetrical depigmented areas of skin that otherwise appears normal. A less common type is the segmental form in which asymmetrical, one-sided depigmentation develops. There is increasing evidence to support the view that vitiligo is an autoimmune disease and that it shows a familial trait in about 18% of cases.

An important aspect of vitiligo is the psychological effect of the disease. Vitiligo is often immediately visible to others and those with the condition may suffer social and emotional consequences including low self-esteem, social anxiety, depression, stigmatization and, in extreme cases, rejection by those around them. In people with a pale white skin colour, vitiligo may cause little concern.

Clinical features:

Vitiligo vulgaris/nonsegmental vitiligo is an acquired chronic depigmentation disorder characterized by white patches. These are often symmetrical and usually increase in size with time. This corresponds with a substantial loss of functioning epidermal and, sometimes, hair follicle melanocytes. Segmental vitiligo is a variant of vitiligo confined to one unilateral segment. One unique segment is involved in most patients but two or more segments on the same or opposite sides may be involved or depigmentation may follow a dermatome distribution or Blaschko's lines. In symmetrical vitiligo, the commonest sites to be affected are the fingers and wrists, the axillae and groins and the body orifices such as the mouth, eyes and genitalia. As the pigment cells are destroyed, sometimes a 'trichrome' appearance of a white centre with an intermediate, pale area around it is found. In vitiligo skin there is no surface change and usually no redness. Very occasionally, inflammation is seen at the advancing edge of a vitiligo macule. Vitiligo can affect melanocytes in the hair roots, resulting in white eyelashes and white hair within the pale skin patches. Depigmentation can affect mucosal areas such as in the mouth.

Differential diagnosis:

These are:

Halo naevus

Hypopigmented naevus

Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis

Leprosy

Lichen sclerosus (for genital vitiligo)

Melanoma-associated leucoderma

Melasma

Mycosis fungoides-associated depigmentation

Naevus anaemicus

Naevus of Ito

Piebaldism

Pityriasis alba

Pityriasis versicolor

Postinflammatory depigmentation, e.g. scleroderma, psoriasis, atopic eczema

Post-traumatic depigmentation

Topical or drug-induced depigmentation

Tuberous sclerosis

The three main diseases that can be mistaken for vitiligo are tinea (pityriasis) versicolor, piebaldism and guttate hypomelanosis. Tinea versicolor is a superficial yeast infection that can cause loss of pigment in darker skinned individuals. It presents as pale macules typically on the upper trunk and chest, with a fine dry surface scale. Piebaldism is an autosomal dominant disease in which there is absence of melanocytes from the affected areas of the skin. It usually presents at birth with depigmented areas that are usually near the mid-line on the front, including a forelock of white hair. In idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, multiple small, white macules are noted, mostly on the trunk or on sun-exposed parts of the limbs. When vitiligo affects only the genital areas, it can be difficult to exclude lichen sclerosus, which sometimes can coexist with vitiligo.

N.B.:

Patients with vitiligo often develop autoimmune thyroid disease or other autoimmune diseases and a history of autoimmune disease in a family member is obtained in 32% of patients. In one series of 41 adults, a history of autoimmune thyroid disease was found in 14 (34%), suggesting that screening for abnormal thyroid function or the presence of autoantibodies to thyroid antigens may be helpful in the management of adults with vitiligo.

Homoeopathic treatments and Managements:

As per homoeopathic point of view it is a case of syphilitic miasm. It can easily be controlled and cured by homoeopathy. As per my experience it can easily be cured in primary stage. It can also be arrested in it's secondary stage. The prognosis becomes poor when there is substantial loss of huge amounts of melanocytes.

The main drugs are;

Alumina, Arsenic sulph flavum, Calcaria carb, Merc sol, Sepia, Silicea are good drugs for.

I also have seen very good result of Ami visnaga Q, Psorelia Q and Sepia Q in outer/ external applications.