Autoimmune Diseases

Unfortunately, autoimmune diseases are a common problem for people. In fact, the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association states that about one in five people in the U.S. suffer from an autoimmune disease, and a majority – an estimated 75 percent to be exact – are women. For some individuals, the autoimmune disorder may leave him or her crippled, but a financial assistance pharmacy Michigan can help treat the condition.

Autoimmune disorders are classified into two different groups. One is autoimmune diseases that include rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Autoimmune diseases happen when the body's immune system is overactive. It begins to attack the body and its own tissue. Generally, autoimmune diseases require a drug that suppresses the immune system, so it no longer attacks itself and causes any further damage.

Psoriasis

One disease in this category is psoriasis. People with this condition have an overactive immune system that has red blood cells that collect within the skin. All the heightened activity causes the skin cells to continuously reproduce and quickly. This produces scaly, silvery plaques on the skin that only tends to go away with medication provided by a pharmacy.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system's antibodies connect to the lining of joints. These cells attack the joints. This results in symptoms like swelling, pain and inflammation. When rheumatoid arthritis isn't treated, the damage to the joints continues to get worse. When it's not treated, it wil cause permanent joint damage. People can take both injectable and oral drugs through a financial assistance pharmacy in Michigan in order to slow the progression.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease occurs when the immune system begins to attack the lining of the intestines. This leads to rectal bleeding, urgent bowel movements, fever, weight loss, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The two major forms of this disease include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease will go deep within the layers of the bowel tissue. In some cases, it can be life threatening. For other people, the symptoms aren't that bad. Either way, it's important that a person takes the injectable or oral medications that may reduce the severity of the symptoms and signs. In some cases, the treatment may lead to long-term remission. Ulcerative colitis happens in the large section of the intestines known as the colon and can be life threatening, especially without proper treatment.