Polymyositis
Polymyositis is a connective tissue disease that triggers inflammation and muscular weakness. The cause is unknown, but polymyositis is thought to be an autoimmune disorder, possibly triggered by a viral infection of muscle tissue. Polymyositis ... [... more]
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Lupus in men
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that affects about nine times more females than males. This means most of the research and literature is geared towards women. This can leave men who have the disease with less ... [... more]
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Thyroid conditions - Hashimoto's disease
Hashimoto's disease is a common cause of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). It is an autoimmune condition. Immune system cells attack the thyroid gland, causing inflammation. This reduces the thyroid's ability to make hormones. The condition ... [... more]
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Immune system - quiz
Do you know how the immune system protects the human body from diseases? Test your knowledge with our quick health quiz. You don't know much about the immune system at all. It might be a good idea to do some reading on the topic. You have a ... [... more]
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Splenomegaly explained
Splenomegaly means enlargement of the spleen. This abdominal organ removes old and abnormal blood cells and contributes immune system components, including antibodies. Causes of splenomegaly include leukaemia, Hodgkin's disease, thalassaemia and ... [... more]
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Myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease characterised by muscular weakness. The symptoms are caused by the immune system interfering with the transmission of messages from the nerves to the muscles. There is no cure. Myasthenia gravis is an ... [... more]
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Spleen explained
The major functions of the spleen include removing abnormal blood cells and making components of the immune system. Since the spleen is involved in so many bodily functions, it is vulnerable to a range of disorders. The spleen is located on the ... [... more]
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Autoimmune disorders - Better Health Channel.
An autoimmune disorder occurs when a person's immune system mistakenly attacks their own body tissues. Different autoimmune disorders include diabetes, Graves' disease, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid ... [... more]
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Lupus explained
Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE) is an auto-immune condition that causes various tissues in the body to become inflamed. Lupus is one of a number of auto-immune illnesses, which means that instead of the person's immune system ... [... more]
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Vaccines - Better Health Channel.
Vaccines help reduce the risk of certain infectious diseases by introducing a modified microbe to the immune system. In many cases, vaccines offer lifelong immunity. The National Immunisation Program recommends vaccines for infants, children and ... [... more]
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Sjogren's syndrome
Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that mainly affects the eyes and salivary glands, but can affect the sweat glands. These glands are attacked by the immune system, for reasons unknown. Although there is no cure, proper treatment should ... [... more]
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Lupus and infections
People with lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE) are more likely to experience infection and infection-related complications. This is because their immune system is weakened by both the disease and the medications used to treat it. The ... [... more]
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