Autoimmune Diseases: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. The immune system mistakes some part of the body as a pathogen and attacks it. The treatment of autoimmune diseases is typically with immunosuppression-medication which decreases the immune response. This book presents and reviews important data gathered on autoimmune diseases and related topics such as: systemic lupus erythematosus and nephritis, their diagnosis and management; emerging methods in Type 1 diabetes immunomodulation; blockage of hyperproduced cytokines as a new approach for the treatment of autoimmune conditions; bone marrow transplantation methods for autoimmune/stem cell disorders; the autoimmune attack on myelin proteins which initiate Multiple Sclerosis; and others.