A 20-beded autoimmune ward has been set up at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) Delhi with an aim to provide in patient facility to those suffering with serious autoimmune diseases or disorders related to the immune system. The new ward will primarily focus on treating arthritis patients.
The department was established in 2015 under the leadership of Dr. Uma Kumar, head of the Rheumatology Department, and has now expanded to include this ward, where various autoimmune diseases and joint issues will be treated. Dr Kumar said that with this ward, patients suffering with chronic auto immune diseases can be admitted and given health care under the observation of the doctors. The ward is equipped with latest state of the art equipments so that patients will not have to be adjusted in other wards as was happening till now.
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy tissues, misidentifying them as foreign invaders like bacteria or viruses. This can lead to inflammation, tissue damage, and a wide range of symptoms depending on which part of the body is affected. In the US alone, more than 24 million people are affected by over 100 known autoimmune diseases.
Some of the most common autoimmune diseases include: Type 1 Diabetes: The immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, resulting in high blood sugar levels.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): The immune system targets the lining of the joints, causing pain, swelling, and potential joint damage.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus): Autoantibodies attack tissues throughout the body, often affecting the joints, lungs, blood cells, nerves, and kidneys.
Scleroderma: Causes the skin to become hard and tight and can affect internal organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys due to excess collagen production.
Sjogren’s Syndrome: The immune system attacks moisture-producing glands, leading to dry eyes, dry mouth, and other symptoms.
Vasculitis: The immune system damages blood vessels, potentially affecting various organs.
Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: These affect the thyroid, leading to either overproduction (hyperthyroidism) or underproduction (hypothyroidism) of thyroid hormones.
Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases are fatigue, joint pain and swelling, skin problems (such as rashes, thickening, or dryness). The patients also exhibit symptoms like having fever, weight loss, increased sensitivity to infections. Symptoms can vary widely and may range from mild to severe, making diagnosis challenging. Many individuals may have an autoimmune disease without even realizing it.
There is typically no cure for autoimmune diseases, but treatment focuses on reducing immune system activity to prevent further damage. Managing symptoms with medications (such as immunosuppressants, anti-inflammatory drugs, or hormone replacement).
Making lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, and managing stress are advised to improve quality of life and reduce symptom severity.