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COMMON AUTOIMMUNEA Disease Process Module:

DISEASES

©1998-2011May be copied for use within each physical

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Instructions For the Learner

We hope you enjoy this inservice, prepared by registered nurses especially for nursing assistants like you.

After finishing

this inservice, you’ll be able to:

Describe what happens in the immune system to cause an autoimmunity.

List at least three possible triggers for autoimmune diseases.

Describe at least four different autoimmune diseases.

Name at least three ways to keep the immune system healthy.

Demonstrate your knowledge of autoimmune diseases throughout your daily work with clients.

Inservices For Nursing Assistants

A Disease Process Module:

Common Autoimmune

Diseases

Mary, Sheila, David, Valerie, Theresa and Betty. Can you figure out what all these people have in common?

Mary has been dealing with sarcoidosis for 6 1/2 years. It has pretty much destroyed her life. She can't do any of the things she used to be able to do.

Sheila was diagnosed with lupus three years ago. Her lupus affects her joints, lungs, heart and brain. She has extreme fatigue, but she still gets up each day and enjoys life.

David was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a teenager. At age 40, he developed rheumatoid arthritis. And, now, he has been diagnosed with alopecia. He worries that his life will be one disease after another attacking him.

Valerie has lupus. On a good day, she is so exhausted that it feels like she’s trying to move through a pool of Jell-O. She has periodic headaches and painful lung inflammation.

Theresa was diagnosed with systemic scleroderma, Raynaud’s disease and fibromyalgia. These conditions have taken a devastating toll on her ability to hold a job or even do everyday chores. She wishes she could have

just one day without pain and mobility issues.

Betty has had Sjogren’s syndrome for years, primarily affecting her eyes. When she was 35, her optometrist said that she had the eyes of an 80 year old woman. She lives with daily pain. It feels like someone has thrown a handful of sand in her eyes.

All of these people—and millions more Americans—suffer from autoimmune diseases. These are conditions in which the body recognizes its own healthy tissues as the enemy and launches its entire “army” of defenses to wage war against itself. Keep reading to learn about common autoimmune diseases and how you can help all your clients keep their immune systems as healthy as possible.

© 2011 In the Know, Inc.

5501 Fortunes Ridge Dr, Ste N

Durham, NC 27713

www.knowingmore.com

May be copied for use within each physical location that

purchases this inservice from In the Know.

All other copying or distribution is strictly

prohibited.

Immune System Basics 2-3

Learning about Types and Triggers 4

The Top Ten Autoimmune Diseases 5

Type 1 Diabetes & Crohn’s Disease 6

SLE & Rheumatoid Arthritis 7

Celiac Disease & MS 8

Tips for Autoimmune Clients 9

Autoimmune FAQ 10

A Healthy Immune System 11

Inside this Inservice:

A Disease Process Module: Common Autoimmune Diseases

A disease is called “autoimmune” when it is caused by the body fighting itself.

When the Body Turns On Itself

When a part of the body is infected, nearby lymph nodes swell up as they collect and destroy the enemy germs. (For example, a sore throat can lead to swollen lymph nodes in the neck.)

When it is working properly, the immune system defends the body from infection and

disease by identifying, attacking and eliminating any germs (like bacteria or viruses) or abnormal cells (like cancer cells). Remarkably, the immune system can recognize and remember millions of different enemies. Fortunately, it is usually smart enough to tell the difference

between an enemy and a cell that belongs in the body.

However, there are times when the immune system fails to recognize healthy tissue as part of the body. That is called an autoimmune reaction.

Normally, the immune system is a powerful healing mechanism. It consists of a complex network of cells, tissues and organs located throughout the body.

The immune system includes bone marrow, the soft center of bones. The bone marrow is the “birth place” of blood cells.

Lymph nodes are also part of the immune system and can be found clustered in the neck, the armpits, the abdomen and the groin.

Parallel to the veins that carry blood is a system of lymphatic vessels. A pale fluid, called lymph fluid, runs through these vessels.

The spleen is part of the immune system. It is a “meeting place” of all the body’s “fighter cells”.

Clumps of lymph tissue are spread throughout the body to help filter out germs. These include the tonsils and the appendix.

Back to Basics: The Immune System

A Disease Process Module: Common Autoimmune Diseases © 2011 In the Know, Inc. Page 2

Autoimmunity is when the immune system attacks and damages the body’s own healthy tissues.

The idea that autoimmunity can actually cause illness is relatively new. Physicians didn’t really believe it until the 1950’s—and even today, they don’t spend much time learning about autoimmune diseases in medical school.

Two common threads unite most autoimmune diseases: genetics and environment. This means that people tend to develop an autoimmune

More about Autoimmunity disease when they have a family history of autoimmunity and they are exposed to something in the environment that triggers the autoimmune reaction. The environmental trigger could be something like a bacteria, a virus, a medication, a toxin—or even sun exposure!

Doctors believe that hormones may play a role in autoimmune reactions, too, because autoimmunity is so much more common in women than in men.

Grab your favorite highlighter! As you read through this inservice, highlight five things you learn that you didn’t know before. Share this new information with your supervisor and co-workers!

Allergies are caused by a trigger, right? Pollen, shellfish, nuts...something causes the immune system to go haywire. So, are allergies a type of autoimmune disease?

No, allergies are not considered an autoimmune response because the body is not turning on itself. An allergy is an abnormal reaction by a person's immune system against a normally harmless substance.

It’s true that the immune system has an exaggerated response to a trigger; people develop runny noses, watery eyes, rashes and more. However, healthy tissue is not damaged.

What about Allergies?


Anaphylactic shock is the most serious kind of allergic reaction and is life-threatening. It

affects many areas of the body at the same time—including respirations and circulation. Insect stings, certain foods, and drugs such as penicillin may cause it. If anaphylactic shock is not treated right away, breathing may stop and the person may die.

Whatever the type of allergy, learning the cause is important so that the trigger substance can be avoided. If the cause is known it is easier to manage the symptoms.

So far, researchers have identified more than 100 different autoimmune diseases—and they suspect that another 40 diseases need to be added to the list. All of these diseases are chronic and some are life-threatening.

Autoimmune diseases are on the rise...and physicians haven’t figured out why.

Scientists believe that 20% of the population carries the genetic trait that puts them at risk for autoimmune diseases. That means that 1 out of every 5 people is at risk.

There are approximately 50 million Americans living with autoimmunity. And 75% of them are female!

Autoimmune diseases occur more often in women who are in their childbearing years.

Autoimmune diseases are the 4th leading cause of disability among women in the United States.

The National Institute of Health has named autoimmune disease as a major women’s health issue.

Just the Facts... Autoimmune diseases

do not spread to other people like infections. They are not related to AIDS, nor are they a type of cancer.

There are rare cases of mothers passing an autoimmune disease to their unborn children, including Myasthenia Gravis and Grave's disease.

There are a number of symptoms that show up with every autoimmune disease. These include fatigue, dizziness, generalized weakness and a low-grade fever. Because these symptoms are vague, it may take months or years before a diagnosis is made.

Autoimmune diseases affect up to four times as many people as cancer does. However, funding for autoimmune research is about $600 million per year while more than $6 billion is spent on cancer research.

Localized

When an autoimmune disease attacks a specific organ or a specific type of tissue, it is considered localized. A prime example of a localized autoimmune disease is type 1 diabetes which attacks the pancreas.

Other localized autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, Grave’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

Two Main Types of Autoimmune Disease


Systemic

When the disease affects many organs, it’s called a systemic autoimmune disease. Lupus is a good example of a systemic autoimmune disease. It can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, brain, red blood cells and more.

Other systemic diseases include rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma.

As you read earlier, there are certain factors that can trigger an autoimmune disease. (A trigger does not cause the disease but is something that sets the wheels of the disease in motion.) These triggers include:

Viruses. Different viruses have been linked to a variety of autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes, hepatitis C and D, rheumatoid arthritis.

Bacteria. After studying bacteria found in the intestinal tract, researchers suspect that these “bugs” may contribute to autoimmune diseases—but there is not a strong link.

Diet. The gluten in wheat has a direct relationship to celiac disease. And, researchers suspect a link between cow’s milk and type 1 diabetes.

Chemicals. Researchers are uncovering a definite link between environmental pollutants (such as pesticides and mercury) and a growing number of autoimmune diseases.

Understanding Triggers Medicines. Even medications can trigger an autoimmune disease—unintentionally, as a side effect. For example, nearly 100 drugs (including acetaminophen and ibuprofen) are known to cause autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Sun. New research has found that ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight can set off certain autoimmune diseases, particularly in women.

Chronic Infection. An infection causes the immune system to go on “high alert”. Scientists believe that a chronic inflammation may possibly cause autoimmunity.

In most instances, the autoimmune response from a trigger develops over time. This means that each time the body is exposed to the trigger, it becomes more and more sensitive. This process can take weeks, months or even years.

Unfortunately, the trigger for an autoimmune disease is usually identified only after the disease has developed. Once a diagnosis is made, people may learn to avoid their particular trigger. However, the damage may have already been done.

Type 1 diabetes is a localized autoimmunity.

Lupus is one type of systemic autoimmunity.

Statistics show that the following ten autoimmune diseases are the ones most commonly diagnosed throughout the United States.

1. Graves’ disease. Graves' disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid and causes it to become too active.

2. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This autoimmune disease also attacks the thyroid. However, instead of being too active, the thyroid becomes too slow and sluggish. This leads to hypothyroidism.

3. Rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation, swelling, joint pain and, eventually, deformity. It occurs when the body attacks the lining of the joints.

4. Vitiligo. This condition occurs when the body attacks and destroys its own melanocytes (the cells that make pigment). As a result, white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body. (Michael Jackson was reported to have this autoimmune disease.)

5. Type 1 diabetes. You may have heard this called “childhood” or “juvenile” diabetes. It is an autoimmune disease that destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

6. Pernicious anemia. This type of anemia (sometimes called B12 deficiency) develops when the body attacks cells in the stomach that are needed for the absorption of vitamin B12.

The Top Ten Autoimmune Diseases

7. Multiple sclerosis. In people with MS, the body attacks its own nervous system. This affects the ability of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to communicate with each other.

8. Glomerulonephritis. This is a type of kidney disease in which the parts of the kidneys become inflamed and are unable to properly filter the urine.

9. Systemic lupus erythematosus. Called SLE or “lupus” for short, this disease causes inflammation in the skin, joints, kidneys, and other organs. People with lupus produce abnormal antibodies in their blood that target tissues throughout their bodies.

10. Sjogren’s syndrome. The targets of this autoimmune disease are glands. For example, Sjogren’s can cause dry eyes by attacking the tear glands. It can also damage the salivary glands in the mouth, causing dry mouth and lips.


In addition to the above “top ten” diseases, you may work with clients

who have other common autoimmune diseases. For example, Crohn’s

disease and celiac disease both attack the intestinal tract and alopecia

areata attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss. Keep reading to learn

more details about common autoimmune conditions.

Just the Facts

In Crohn’s disease, the body’s immune system considers healthy bacteria and food to be “enemies”.

This disease can cause inflammation in any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus.

Crohn’s can affect people of all ages, but is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 30.

Fewer than one million Americans live with Crohn's disease.

“Food that is meant to sustain my life has become my enemy. I have at least 16 bowel movements every day. I feel like I am slipping away, slowly, as my body attacks itself. I am angry at this disease that has taken away my vitality. I should be living a full and productive life.”

Joan, age 40

When Jim was 12 years old, he got sick with a flu-like illness. Shortly after that, he started losing weight—even though he was eating like a horse. His mother noticed that he was thirsty all the time. Jim felt tired and cranky, especially after meals. And, he couldn’t get a good night’s sleep because he had to get up to urinate three or four times a night!

The doctor diagnosed type 1 diabetes. Because of some unknown trigger—possibly a virus—Jim’s body had attacked his pancreas, causing it to stop making insulin. Without insulin, Jim’s cells had no way to absorb the energy from the food he ate. Instead, all that energy (sugar) kept building up in his blood and his cells were starving to death.

For the last 30 years, Jim has had to take insulin every day to stay alive.

Like many people, Charlene went for years without knowing that she had Crohn’s disease. She suffered from periodic flare-ups of abdominal pain and diarrhea, but she figured that it was because of her stressful job.

After years of putting up with her “problem” stomach, Charlene noticed new symptoms. She developed skin problems, fevers and rectal bleeding. She also had trouble keeping weight on and was tired all the time. These new symptoms scared her, so she went to several different doctors looking for an answer.

After blood tests, special x-rays of her small intestine and a colonoscopy to examine her large intestine, Charlene was finally diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. She was treated with both drugs and surgery and her disease is now in remission. However, Charlene knows it could flare up at any time.

Type 1 Diabetes

Crohn’s Disease

Just the Facts:

Each year more than 15,000 children are diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S. That's 40 children per day.

Only 5 to 10% of all diabetics have type 1 diabetes.

While insulin allows type 1 diabetics to stay alive, it does not cure the disease.

Insulin does not prevent the complications of type 1 diabetes which may include kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, amputations, heart attack, stroke, and high-risk pregnancy.

"This disease controls our lives with all the pricking of the fingers, shots, high and low blood sugars; it's like being on a seesaw. Without a cure, we will be stuck on this seesaw till the day we die."

Tre, age 12


Just the Facts

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA, for short) can affect more than the joints. It can also cause painful inflammation of the lungs, eyes and skin.

One out of every three people with RA have to quit working within five years of being diagnosed.

While anyone can develop RA, the disease tends to show up between 40 and 50 years of age.

There are about two million Americans living with rheumatoid arthritis.

“The RA started in my feet and then my hands. It was like walking with golf balls under my feet. With medications, I am able to tolerate the pain and am still working. The only thing I get upset about is I cannot hold my 13 month grandson for long as his weight really hurts my arms. ” Peggy, age 60

Mildred went to her doctor complaining of fatigue and vomiting. The doctor thought she might be pregnant but the test was negative. He told her to come back if the symptoms didn’t go away.

A few months later, Mildred noticed a rash on her nose and cheeks. She wondered if she was allergic to her face cream, but changing creams didn’t seem to help. Then, her appetite dropped, the vomiting started up again and she began losing weight.

Mildred also experienced joint pain, hair loss, fever and shortness of breath. Several doctors tried to figure out what was wrong, but nothing they did seemed to help. Finally, after her doctors had ruled out many other diseases and done a number of different blood tests, Mildred was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus.

When she turned 42, Martha started noticing that her body felt stiff every morning, her muscles ached and she wasn’t as hungry as usual. Every day, she felt weaker and more tired.

Soon, her morning stiffness was lasting several hours. Then, she started having pain in her wrists, elbows and knees. Martha’s joints became swollen, red and warm to the touch. She had trouble moving the affected joints and found it difficult to perform her usual tasks at work.

When Martha went to the doctor, he tested her blood and took some x-rays. Then, he explained that she had rheumatoid arthritis. He said that in rheumatoid arthritis, the joint lining swells, invades surrounding tissues, and produces chemicals that attack and destroy the joint surface. The doctor worked on relieving Martha’s joint pain and improving the way her joints functioned.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Just the Facts:

There are three different types of lupus. Of these, systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common and serious form.

Nine out of ten people diagnosed with lupus are women. Most of them develop the disease between the ages of 15 and 45.

The goals for treating lupus are to quiet down the immune system and reduce inflammation.

“For at least seven years, I went to my doctor complaining of severe fatigue, muscle aches,

joint aches and generally not feeling well. Every time, he told me that I was getting older

and should expect a few pains now and then. Finally, he decided to order special blood

work. The results led to a diagnosis of lupus. Now I know I’m not crazy!”

Karen, age 49


Just the Facts

Multiple sclerosis affects about 350,000 people in the U. S. and about 2 million people around the globe.

MS affects everyone in a different way. It depends on what part of the brain is destroyed or damaged.

Studies have shown that up to 2/3 of people with MS are able to continue working—despite the disease.

MS is rarely diagnosed before the age of 12 or after age 55.

“Since my diagnosis, I have surrounded myself with laughter. I read the comics, see funny movies and laugh every day until my belly hurts. Then every day, I say to the mirror: ‘I have MS, but MS does not have me.’"

Tom, age 45

As a kid, Robert tended to have stomach problems. Then, while in college, things got a lot worse. He had frequent, oily, grey stools, lost weight and his abdomen felt bloated most of the time. Robert also had joint pains and muscle cramps and felt tired and depressed.

His doctor gave him a blood test for celiac disease and it came back positive. Robert learned that when he consumed foods with gluten in them, his immune system responded by damaging the tiny, fingerlike protrusions (called villi) that line his small intestine.

Without healthy villi, Robert was unable to absorb the nutrients from food. This meant that he was malnourished—no matter how much food he ate. Now, Robert must be on a gluten-free diet for the rest of his life. For example, he has to avoid all foods with wheat in them, including bread, cake, cookies and pasta.

At age 27, Delores developed tingling in her hands and feet, frequent headaches and problems with her balance. She also had episodes of incontinence. Her doctor ordered an MRI scan, but it showed nothing abnormal.

Still, Delores kept losing her balance and falling over! It took four years, but, finally, another MRI scan showed scar tissue deep in her brain and on her spinal cord. This confirmed that she had multiple sclerosis.

She learned that multiple sclerosis (or MS, for short) occurs when the body attacks and destroys tissues in the nervous system, causing it to “short circuit”. This was keeping messages from being sent properly between her brain and the nerves all over her body. The messages were arriving late—or not at all!

After seven years, Delores’ legs became so weak that she must now use a wheelchair. However, she remains hopeful that a cure will be found someday.

Celiac Disease

Multiple Sclerosis

Just the Facts:

More than 2 million people in the United States have celiac disease. That’s about 1 in 133 people.

Gluten is found mainly in foods but may also be found in everyday products such as medicines, vitamins and lip balms.

On average, it takes 10 years for most people to be correctly diagnosed with celiac disease. And, many never are.

“At first, it was really hard. I had no idea what to eat. I would open my fridge and cabinets at home and just start crying. But, I learned to eat a gluten-free diet...and now I am pain free! I do hope that more super markets and restaurants will become more aware of gluten-free foods so it will be easier to shop and eat out.”

Anna, age 30


Believe what your clients tell you. In reading about autoimmune disorders, have you noticed a trend? The symptoms tend to be vague and could be signs of many other diseases. This makes it hard for doctors to diagnose an autoimmunity. So, if you work with clients who have an autoimmune disease, remember that they may have spent years trying to get doctors to believe something was wrong.

Remember the most common symptoms for most autoimmune diseases. Nearly all autoimmune diseases cause some similar basic symptoms:

Fatigue

Sleep disturbance

Short Term Memory Loss

Mood Swings

Depression

Low Thyroid Function

Gastrointestinal Problems

Swollen Glands

Low Grade Fever

Joint and/or Muscle Pain

Observe for new or changing symptoms. Because many autoimmune diseases are progressive, your clients may experience changes in their symptoms or, as time goes by, may develop new symptoms. Be sure to report any changes in a client’s status to your supervisor.

Help them balance rest and exercise. Rest gives body tissues and joints the time they need to repair. However, you should also encourage your client to get some type of light exercise every day. Exercise stimulates the circulation of lymph fluid through the body. It also reduces stress, stimulates a good appetite and helps reduce inflammation.

Working with Clients Who Have an Autoimmune Disease Guard against infection. Many people with autoimmune diseases must take immunosuppressive medications to treat their condition. These are powerful prescription drugs that suppress the function of the immune system. While these drugs may lessen the symptoms of their disease, they also weaken the body’s ability to fight off life-threatening infections and illnesses. So, use proper infection control measures and teach your clients to wash their hands frequently, too.

Encourage a balanced diet. Depending on which autoimmune disease they have, your clients may have specific dietary restrictions. If so, follow those restrictions carefully. However, in general, well-balanced meals that are high in protein may make your clients feel better. Research shows that people who live with an autoimmunity and skip meals or eat poorly tend to have more problems than those who eat three healthy meals a day.

Boost their self-esteem. Depending on the autoimmune disease, your clients may have discolored damaged skin, hair loss, or their joints may look different. Although these problems cannot always be prevented, they may make your clients self-conscious about their looks. If you help your clients look their best, it may go a long way to improving their self-esteem.

Watch for signs of depression. People who live with a chronic condition for which there is no cure are at risk for depression. Be sure to watch your clients for weight loss or gain, lack of energy, overwhelming feelings of sadness, anxiousness, sleeping more or less than usual, loss of interest in usual activities and thoughts of suicide. Report any of these signs to your supervisor.

Watch for signs that your client is in pain. Many people who are in chronic pain learn to remain silent about their pain. Look for non-verbal signs of pain and report them to your supervisor.


Q: What exactly is a “flare up”?

With autoimmune diseases, the symptoms can come and go, often for months at a time. A flare up is the sudden onset of symptoms. If you client suffers a flare up, he or she needs medical attention.

Q: Most autoimmune diseases cause a considerable amount of pain. Besides medications, is there anything that helps?

You might try teaching your clients some simple imagery. Encourage them to try this for just 15 minutes, two or three time a day.

1. Turn on some favorite music.

2. Relax in a favorite chair or lie in bed.

3. Close your eyes.

4. Imagine your pain. For example, picture it as ugly weeds in a beautiful yard.

5. Now, imagine that something more powerful confronts the pain and watch in your mind as it “destroys” the pain. For example, picture a huge lawn mower or “weed eater” cutting down all the weeds!

Q: Who else might be part of the health care team for an autoimmune client?

Depending on the client’s condition, there may be several doctors involved, including a nephrologist (a kidney specialist), a rheumatologist (an arthritis specialist), an endocrinologist (a physician who specializes in glands) and a radiologist (if the person needs radiation as part of the treatment plan). In addition, the team would probably include a physical therapist, an occupational therapist and maybe a speech therapist (especially for clients with MS). There may be a social worker or counselor involved...and some people find a support group helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions... Q: Is AIDS an autoimmune disorder?

No. AIDS is an immune deficiency disorder caused by the HIV virus. Remember…HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV destroys a type of "fighter" cell (known as T cells) in the blood. After the virus invades the T cells, they can no longer properly fight infections.

Although an HIV-positive person may feel fine, the virus is silently reproducing itself and destroying T cells. When the person's immune system has weakened and more of the blood's T cells have been destroyed by the virus, the person can no longer fight off infections. This is when he or she gets very sick—and is diagnosed with AIDS.

Q: Sure, autoimmune symptoms are sort of vague, but why are these diseases so hard to diagnose?

Remember that autoimmune diseases tend to strike women in their childbearing years. So, in general, the women appear healthy. Physicians may not take them seriously when they first mention their symptoms. Of course they are tired, sleep deprived and have mood swings—they have young children!

In the typical scenario, a woman can spend years going from one specialist to another, undergoing a number of tests and procedures, until finally a diagnosis is made. (And, of course, the same thing can happen to men with autoimmune diseases.) According to a 2001 survey done by the Autoimmune Diseases Association, nearly half of all patients with autoimmune diseases are labeled as “chronic complainers” by their doctors prior to

diagnosis. This can have a devastating effect on their self-esteem—and the delay in diagnosis can cause significant damage to their organs!

Hopefully, as scientific research continues, physicians will be able to diagnose—and treat—autoimmune diseases before any physical or psychological damage is done.


Whether or not your clients suffer from an autoimmune disease, they will benefit from the following strategies for boosting the immune system:

Stamp Out Stress! People who deal with chronic stress are more susceptible to illnesses. According to researchers, chronic stress ages the immune system, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and even cancer. So, encourage your clients to find some way to relax, at least for a little while, every day.

Put Out Those Cigarettes. Smokers have weaker immune systems than non-smokers. But, the good news is that even after just one month of laying off the cigarettes, former smokers experience an increase in immune cell activity! This is just one more reason why you should encourage your clients to give up their smoking habit.

Try a Massage. Studies have shown that regular massages can increase the strength of the immune system. If there is no reason why your client shouldn’t have a massage (such as a pressure sore), try to fit in a short, daily “rub down”. A good time for this is right after a bath or shower.

Keeping the Immune System Healthy Catch Some Zzzz’s. Recent studies have proven that a loss of sleep, even for a few short hours during the night, can trigger a person’s immune system to turn against healthy tissue and organs. This means that a good night’s sleep may

reduce the risk of autoimmune disorders. Sleep deprivation can also be a trigger for

some clients—bringing on, or worsening, their autoimmune symptoms. So, do all you can to help your clients get into a calming bedtime routine.

Go for a Belly Laugh.

Did you know that people who laugh a lot have stronger immune systems than those who don’t? In addition, laughter dissolves tension, stress, anxiety, irritation, grief and depression. Laughter can also be a natural pain reliever. A good belly laugh releases endorphins that are more powerful than morphine! People without a sense of humor have been compared to cars without shock absorbers! So,

commit to a goal of making every one of your clients laugh—at least once—every day.

Here’s a joke to get you started:

A prospective son-in-law was asked by his girlfriend's father, "Son, are you really ready to support a family?"

"Well, no, sir," the young man replied. "I was just planning to support your daughter. The rest of you have to fend for yourselves!"


For additional important information relating to the care of clients with autoimmune diseases, ask your supervisor about the following In the Know inservices:

Understanding Diabetes

Understanding Fatigue

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis

Understanding Pain Management

Understanding Sleep Disorders

Passive & Active Range of Motion

Are you “in the know” about autoimmune diseases? Circle the best choice and then check your answers with your supervisor!

1. Most autoimmune diseases develop: A. Slowly. B. Quickly. C. In childhood. D. In old age.

2. TRUE or FALSE The only way to get an autoimmune disease is to be born with it.

3. TRUE or FALSE Autoimmune diseases affect men and women equally.

4. In an autoimmune disease, the body: A. Fights off a trigger that causes the disease. B. Attacks itself from the outside in. C. Recognizes healthy tissue as the enemy. D. Ages rapidly.

5. A localized autoimmune disease: A. Is curable. B. Attacks a specific organ or tissue. C. Is more painful that a systemic disease. D. Can be surgically removed.

6. TRUE or FALSE The bone marrow is the birth place of blood cells, including “fighter cells”.

7. TRUE or FALSE Allergies are the most common autoimmune disease in the world.

8. TRUE or FALSE One of the symptoms that seems to be a part of every autoimmune disease is fatigue.

9. TRUE or FALSE Many people who have autoimmune diseases take medications to boost their immune systems.

10. TRUE or FALSE A “flare up” is a sudden onset of autoimmune symptoms, sometimes followed by months with no symptoms at all.

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A Disease Process Module: Common Autoimmune Diseases

COMMON AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES - SquarespaceAutoimmune+Diseases.… · COMMON AUTOIMMUNE A Disease...

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