Autoimmune Diseases Dictionary

pancreas: A six inch long organ that connects to the duodenum and produces digestive enzymes and insulin.

pancreatic insufficiency: A state where the pancreas produces insufficient digestive enzymes.

pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by gallstones or alcohol consumption.

pericarditis: Inflammation of the outer heart lining.

photosensitivity: A sensitivity to light.

pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleura, the membranes surrounding the lungs.

postural tremor: A tremor that generally is greatest when a limb or the whole body is being supported against gravity. For example, a person who has a postural tremor will shake while sitting or standing, but not while lying down.

prednisone: A synthetic corticosteroid drug that is usually taken orally but can be delivered by intramuscular injection and can be used for a large number of different conditions. Anti-inflammatory medicine.

preeclampsia: A serious complication of late pregnancy involving sudden high blood pressure, excessive weight gain, edema, and other symptoms. May progress into eclampsia, or convulsions, if not treated.

primary progressive multiple sclerosis: A type of MS that is highly debilitative. Instead of a cycle of worsening symptoms and remittance, primary progressive multiple sclerosis symptoms never improve. Over time, symptoms and physical disability gradually worsen. Progression of this form of MS is slow but steady.

progressive-relapsing multiple sclerosis progressive: A form of MS that is extremely rare. Although symptoms appear to follow the relapse-remitting pattern, the disease never fully remits. As a result, disability worsens progressively over time.

prolactin: A hormone produced in the pituitary gland that triggers and maintains milk production in women.

Raynaud's syndrome: Discoloration of the fingers and /or toes due to temperature changes. Discoloration can also occur due to emotional events. Raynaud's syndrome is caused by decreased blood flow to the fingers and toes.

relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis symptoms: A form of MS in which symptoms worsen during a flare-up and then gradually diminish in severity until the next attack. Recovery after a flare-up may not be complete. Over time, symptoms can increase in severity, making the disability more pronounced.

remicade: Slows rheumatoid arthritis joint damage by blocking the inflammation-causing chemical TNF.

resting tremor: A tremor that generally is greatest when the body part is at rest or barely moving. Resting tremors are more often associated with Parkinson's disease, rather than MS.

retrobulbar neuritis: A form of optic neuritis in which the optic nerve located at the back of the eye becomes inflamed. The inflamed area lies between the back of the eye and the brain. When these fibers become inflamed, visual signaling to the brain becomes disrupted, and vision is impaired.

rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints and eventual degeneration of the joints.

rheumatoid factor: Blood tests are used to detect this specific antibody in the blood. Eighty percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis have this antibody in their bloodstream.

rheumatologist: a specialist in the treatment of inflammation-causing disease.

Schilder's disease: A rare progressive de-myelinating disorder that usually begins in childhood. Symptoms may include dementia, aphasia, seizures, personality changes, poor attention, tremors, balance instability, incontinence, muscle weakness, headache, vomiting and vision and speech impairment. This disorder is a variant of multiple sclerosis.

scleritis: A serious inflammatory disease that affects the white outer coating of the eye, known as the sclera.

secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: A type of MS that develops in about half of the cacses of relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis. Secondary progressive MS symptoms do not cycle through flare-ups and remittance. Instead, symptoms are always present, and physical disability increases over time.

seizure: An attack of convulsions, which may include loss of consciousness or sensory disturbances.

serositis: Inflammation of the serous membranes, thin membranes that surround the organs, including the heart and lungs.

small bowel: Another term for the small intestine.

small intestine: The section of intestine connecting the stomach to the large intestine. Comprised of the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum.

stomach: A digestive organ connecting the esophagus to the small intestine.

stool: Solid waste matter evacuated in bowel movements.

stricture: An abnormal narrowing of any body canal, tube, or passage.

swan neck deformity: A finger joint deformity where the top knuckle of the effected finger or thumb bends.

Sweet's Syndrome: A neutrophilic dermatosis usually associated with myeloproliferative disorders, viral infections and drug reactions, also occurs in rheumatoid arthritis.

synovial fluid: A lubricant that cushions and protects the joints during movement. Tissue inflammation and synovial fluid build-up cause joint pain, stiffness and swelling. The skin over affected joints may also appear red.

synovian membrane: The inflamed synovium produces enzymes that can travel through the synovial fluid and attack bone and cartilage.

systemic: Affecting the entire body.