Autoimmune diseases

• These are two related diseases in which there is inflammation of the muscles (polymyositis) and skin (dermatomyositis).
• RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS


  a disease in which the immune system attacks the thin membrane (called the synovium) lining the joints, causing pain, stiffness, warmth and swelling of the joints, and inflammation throughout the body.
• SCLERODERMA


  a term for a group of disorders that causes

  thick, tight skin, buildup of scar tissue, and organ damage.
• SJÖGREN’S SYNDROME


  a chronic disease in which the immune system attacks the moisture-producing glands, such as those of the eyes and mouth.
• SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATUS


  a disease characterized by inflammation of the joints, skin, and internal organs.
• VASCULITIS


  is a general term for more than 20 different conditions characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels. These can affect blood flow to the organs and other body tissues.
• People with MCTD have some features characteristic of several diseases, including lupus, scleroderma, polymyositis or dermatomyositis, and rheumatoid arthritis. When this occurs, doctors often make the diagnosis of mixed connective tissue disease.