Treatment depends on the type and severity of the condition. The majority of the autoimmune diseases are chronic and there is no definitive cure, but symptoms can be alleviated and controlled with treatment. Overall, the aim of the various treatment methods is to lessen the presented symptoms for relief and manipulate the body's autoimmune response, while still preserving the ability of the patient to combat diseases that they may encounter. Traditional treatment options may include immunosuppressant drugs to weaken the overall immune response, such as: * Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation * Glucocorticoids to reduce inflammation * Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to decrease the damaging tissue and organ effects of the inflammatory autoimmune response Other standard treatment methods include: * Vitamin or hormone supplements for what the body is lacking due to the disease (insulin, vitamin B12, thyroid hormone, etc.) * Blood transfusions if the disease is blood related * Physical therapy if the disease impacts bones, joints, or muscles Because these drugs aim to reduce the immune response against the body's own tissues, there are side effects of these traditional treatment methods, such as being more vulnerable to infections that can potentially be life-threatening. There are new advancements in medicine for the treatment of autoimmune diseases that are currently being researched, developed, and used today, especially when traditional treatment options fail. These methods aim to either block the activation of pathogenic cells in the body, or alter the pathway that suppresses these cells naturally. The goal for these advancements is to have treatment options available that are less toxic to the patient, and have more specific targets. Such options include: * Monoclonal antibodies that can be used to block pro-inflammatory cytokines * Antigen-specific immunotherapy which allows immune cells to specifically target the abnormal cells that<unk> autoimmune disease * Co-stimulatory blockade that works to block the pathway that leads to the autoimmune response * Regulatory T cell therapy that utilizes this special type of T cell to suppress the autoimmune response
causes of Alopecia areata
causes of Dermatophytosis
risks of Toxic epidermal necrolysis
synonyms of Lethal midline granuloma
risks of Stevens–Johnson syndrome
causes of Dermatitis
causes of Mucosal melanoma
risks of Gangrene