An autoimmune disease can eventually attack the liver and cause autoimmune hepatitis, which is also called autoimmune liver disease. The immune system protects the body by attacking viruses and living organisms that don't belong. Sometimes because of genetic disposition, bacteria, viruses, drugs or toxins, the immune system doesn't work properly and begins to attack the body's own cells. When it attacks the liver, it's called hepatitis. Many of the cases affect females. In fact, the percentage is about 70 percent female to 30 percent male.
Significance
The disease is normally very serious and worsens without treatment. It lasts often for years and may cause cirrhosis of the liver, hardening and scarring and liver failure. It normally begins in childhood but can start any time. Often, other diseases occur at the same time. These are type 1 diabetes, inflammation of the blood vessels of the kidneys, inflammation of the thyroid, graves disease causing overactive thyroid, a syndrome which leads to dry mouth, autoimmune anemia and dry eyes and ulcerative colitis.
Early Symptoms
Early in the progression of the disease there may not be many symptoms recognized. Sometimes a rash or joint pain and abdominal discomfort is present. People may begin to notice darker urine and light colored or gray-colored stools. Vomiting might also occur along with loss of appetite.
More Symptoms.
As it affects the liver, more the symptoms of cirrhosis occur. These include jaundiced eyes and skin, more severe joint pain, spider veins particularly on the face, vomiting and weight loss. At this time, a physical exam often reveals hard lumps on the liver.
Advanced Stages
Once it severely debilitates the liver, the symptoms of cirrhosis are full blown. Fluid might accumulate in the abdomen, a state called ascites. There is often mental confusion in the patient with damage this severe. Some women cease menstruation.
Warning
Even though these symptoms may appear, you need a range of tests to find the actual cause. Occasionally hepatitis from an antibiotic or other drug also causes the same symptoms. In order to rule the other causes out, the primary care giver should take tests before starting treatments. It's important to find the exact cause and rule out damage caused from medicine so the treatment is appropriate.
Tests
Blood tests and a liver biopsy are necessary to rule out other types of disorders. The blood tests include not just normal blood reviews to detect hepatitis but also those to find autoantibodies made by the immune system.
Treatment
Early detection and treatment not only stops much of the damage but also allows the body to repair and reverse the damage already done. Doctors use corticosteroids called prednisone and azathioprine to treat the condition. It suppresses the immune system and slows it down so the minimum effective amount is important to find lest it compromises the system. In close to 70 percent of the cases, the disease goes into remission within three years.
Tags: immune system, important find, joint pain, rule other, symptoms cirrhosis