"It is something that puzzles doctors and scientists as to why they develop in the first place, and there are many possible answers be it genetic, hereditary, environmental or otherwise. But something definitely triggers them. "
There are many possible things that could cause an autoimmune disease. However, scientists have yet to discover exactly why they develop. They could be caused by genetics, heredity, or environmental issues or changes. However there is no one specific cause.
Well women guide to autoimmune diseases. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.well-women.com/autoimmune.html
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Quote, Paraphrase, and Citation #4
"Some autoimmune diseases are known to begin or worsen with certain triggers such as viral infections. Sunlight not only acts as a trigger for lupus but can worsen the course of the disease. It is important to be aware of the factors that can be avoided to help prevent or minimize the amount of damage from the autoimmune disease. Other less understood influences affecting the immune system and the course of autoimmune diseases include aging, chronic stress, hormones, and pregnancy."
Certain autoimmune diseases have what are called 'triggers'. These are things that cause an autoimmune disease to worsen. There are many possible things that can trigger an autoimmune disease to worsen. A few examples of these are: sunlight, changes in the environment, aging, stress, hormones, pregnancy, and a few other things.
Shomon, M. (2010, November). Understanding autoimmune diseases. Retrieved from http://www.thyroid-info.com/autoimmune/causes.htm
Certain autoimmune diseases have what are called 'triggers'. These are things that cause an autoimmune disease to worsen. There are many possible things that can trigger an autoimmune disease to worsen. A few examples of these are: sunlight, changes in the environment, aging, stress, hormones, pregnancy, and a few other things.
Shomon, M. (2010, November). Understanding autoimmune diseases. Retrieved from http://www.thyroid-info.com/autoimmune/causes.htm
Graph/Chart/Map and Citation
This graph shows the percentage of incidents of Men and Women having an Autoimmune Disease. This is important because Autoimmune Diseases are most commonly found in women. There is a much higher percentage of women who have an Autoimmune Disease, than men who have an Autoimmune Disease.
"Incidency By Gender." Reasonably Well. Web. 16 Nov 2010. http://reasonablywell-julia.blogspot.com/2009/09/men-and-autoimmune-disease.html
Quote, Paraphrase, and Citation #3
"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."
The Immune system works kind of like a factory. It is like a factory, that is made up of organs, cells, and molecules that collaborate to protect the body against bad things coming into the body, such as germs, bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.
Autoimmune diseases and disorders- symptoms, treatment, and prevention. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/487/main.html
The Immune system works kind of like a factory. It is like a factory, that is made up of organs, cells, and molecules that collaborate to protect the body against bad things coming into the body, such as germs, bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.
Autoimmune diseases and disorders- symptoms, treatment, and prevention. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/487/main.html
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Photo, Caption, and Citation #3
This picture shows a red blood cell, with antibodies and antigens attached to it. The antigen is a substance that stimulates the creation of Antibodies. This is important because the Antibodies attack, fight, and destroy harmful things in your body.
"Antibody." The New York Times Health Guide. Web. 16 Nov 2010. http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/narcolepsy/causes.html>.
Quote, Paraphrase, and Citation #2
"The immune system is the body's means of protection against microorganisms and other "foreign" substances"
The Immune System is the body's source of protection against bad cells, bacteria, and microorganisms.
Autoimmune disorders. (2007, March 11). Retrieved from http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/autoimmune.html
The Immune System is the body's source of protection against bad cells, bacteria, and microorganisms.
Autoimmune disorders. (2007, March 11). Retrieved from http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/autoimmune.html
Photo, Caption, and Citation #2
This picture shows a diagram, that represents some of the possible causes of an Autoimmune Disease. This is important because Autoimmune Diseases have several possible causes, and this diagram shows a few of the most common causes.
"Autoimmune Diseases." Nature Immunology. Web. 11 Nov 2010. http://www.nature.com/ni/journal/v2/n9/fig_tab/ni0901-759_F1.html
Quote, Paraphrase, and Citation #1
"If a person has an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks self, targeting the cells, tissues, and organs of a person's own body."
In the Immune System, special cells called Antibodies, normally attack and destroy bad and harmful bacteria or cells. However, if a person has an Autoimmune Disease, the Antibodies, attack and destroy the good, healthy cells in your body, by mistake.
Shamon, M. (n.d.). Understanding autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune thyroid conditions. Retrieved from http://www.thyroid-info.com/autoimmune/what.htm
In the Immune System, special cells called Antibodies, normally attack and destroy bad and harmful bacteria or cells. However, if a person has an Autoimmune Disease, the Antibodies, attack and destroy the good, healthy cells in your body, by mistake.
Shamon, M. (n.d.). Understanding autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune thyroid conditions. Retrieved from http://www.thyroid-info.com/autoimmune/what.htm
Photo, Caption, and Citation #1
This picture shows the basic function of the Immune System. This relates to my topic because an Autoimmune Disease occurs when the Immune System is not working correctly, and the Antibodies attack and destroy healthy cells."Understanding Your Immune System." Going Overboard. Web. 11 Nov 2010. http://kostjatoldin.com/understanding-your-immune-system/
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Preliminary Links and Descriptions
- This website covers the basic information of Autoimmune Diseases/Disorders. It talks about exactly what an Autoimmune Disease/Disorder is, who it affects, the causes, symptoms, treatments, and information resources connected to autoimmune conditions. This information was created by Mary Shomon. This information can be helpful in helping to better understand Autoimmune Diseases/Disorders.
- This website talks about the immune system and it's functions. This information is helpful because it gives you a better understanding of the immune system and its functions, so you can see what is going wrong when you have an autoimmune disease/disorder. The creator of this site is the American Association for Clinical Chemistry.
- This website talks about how the immune system works, and what defects are present when you have an autoimmune disease/disorder. The information is helpful because it helps you to better understand the purpose and the job of the immune system. The creator of this site is The HealthCentral Network.
- This website talks about the causes of autoimmune diseases. This is helpful because it can help doctors and scientists find ways to help treat the diseases, based on where they come from. The creator of this site is Mary Shomon.
Monday, November 1, 2010
What I Want to Know About My Topic
I want to know more about the individual diseases themselves. I want to know more about what all of the symptoms for all of the diseases are and some of the major ways that they stand out from the other diseases. I also want to know more about the different steps that need to be taken to make a diagnosis on a specific Autoimmune Disease. There are also many degrees of the Autoimmune Diseases. Some of them are worse than others, and I want to know which diseases are the hardest to live with and which ones are the easiest to live with. I also want to know more about the causes and origins of the diseases. I also would like to know more on why they are so hard and take so long to diagnose, verses the short amount of time taken to diagnose other diseases.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
What I Already Know About My Topic
I know that there are many types of Autoimmune Diseases. I also know that they are extremely difficult to diagnose. This is because many of the diseases share the same symptoms. If you have an autoimmune disease, it means that your immune system is attacking the healthy cells in your body by mistake. This disease tends to run in families and is found mainly in women. They are most commonly found in African-American, Hispanic, and Native-American women. There are more than 80 types of Autoimmune Diseases. In many people, the first symptoms of an Autoimmune Disease are being tired, muscle aches, and low fever. These diseases may also have flare-ups, when they get worse, and remissions, when they all but disappear. The diseases do not usually go away, but symptoms can be treated. Diagnosing an Autoimmune Disease can be very stressful and extremely time consuming.
The Story Behind My Topic Choice
I chose the topic of Autoimmune Diseases. I chose this topic because my mother has an Autoimmune Disease. Because of the many types of Autoimmune Diseases, we do not know which one she has and whether or not it could be fatal. I decided that by making Autoimmune Diseases my research topic, I could help my mother by finding out more about the many diseases. I believe that my researching the topic will show my mother that I care about her condition, and that I will help her in any way that I can. I am helping my mother by researching ways to cope with her condition and reading stories posted by people who have Autoimmune Diseases and people who have not let their conditions stop them from enjoying their lives. Researching this topic is helping both my mother and I to have a better understanding of the condition, and it is helping her relax and enjoy life a little bit more. I am doing this project completely in honor of my mother. She has inspired me.
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