This page contains the list of conditions currently considered to be autoimmune disorders and a brief overview of each with links to more in depth information.

Neuromuscular system disorders affect nerves and muscles

  • Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a form of encephalitis with an autoimmune reaction and usually occurs days/weeks after a viral infection or vaccination. ADEM at NINDS

 
  • Chronic inflammatory demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) causes swelling  and destruction of myelin sheath over the nerves. Symptoms -weakness, paralysis, and/or impairment of movement in arms and legs. Sometimes numbness, tingling, and burning sensations on both sides of the body.  CIDP Home 

 

  • Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) mild sensory changes and then weakness in the reflexes that gets progressively worse. EMedicine
  • Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) causes muscle weakness, usually first in the upper legs and upper arms. The attack interferes with the ability of nerves to send signals to muscles. A progressive syndrome it develops into eye muscles, and those involved in talking, chewing; sometimes dry mouth, constipation, impotence and bladder urgency. Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome 
  •  Myasthenia gravis causes fluctuating muscle weakness and fatigue. It interferes with messages the nerves send to the muscles (circulating antibodies block receptors at the neuromuscular junction). It usually involves weakness in chewing, talking, swallowing & the eye muscles.  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke  Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America More at Medline
  • Neuromyotonia (Isaacs' Syndrome): abnormal nerve impulses from the  peripheral nerves which cause twitching, progressive stiffness and muscle cramps.  NINDS

 

Stiff man syndrome or Moersch-Woltmann syndrome involves the central nervous system and causes progressive rigidity or stiffness of the body - affects the voluntary muscles of the neck, shoulders, trunk, arms & legs sometimes with muscle spasms. Yale University Dept of Neurology 

 

  • Multiple Sclerosis attacks the central nervous system -brain and spinal cord -  interfering with the nerves system signals and causing neurological symptoms. It can follow an unpredictable course.  You may experience only some of the symptoms and never have others. Symptoms may include numbness, tingling, pain, burning, and visual disturbances, tremor, difficulty walking, lack of coordination & constipation. Multiple Sclerosis Foundation   The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS)   Cause of MS
     
  • Gullain-Barre syndrome (Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy) affects the body's immune system attacking the nervous system and causing a neuromuscular disease with initial symptoms of weakness and tingling starting in legs and rapid progression to paralysis in legs, arms, face and breathing muscles. The NINDS, Guillain-Barre Information Sheet MedlinePlus


  • Multifocal motor neuropathy with Conduction block (MMN) an autoimmune peripheral neuropathy without a known cause. A slowly progressive weakness, with cramping. MultiMN info 

 

  • Monoclonal Gammopathy means abnormal levels of a protein have been found in the blood Mayo Clinic 

 

  • Paraneoplastic neurological disorders (PND's) have rapid onset of symptoms such as difficulty walking, swallowing and talking, hand tremors, seizures, memory problems and muscle weakness. NINDS  IPA 

 

  • Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS)causes unsteady gait, muscle spasms and irregular eye movements. Difficulty speaking may also be involved. Often seen in children less than 2 years old. OMSUSA NINDS

 

  • Encephalomyelitis or Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. NINDS

 

  • Autoimmune Retinopathy (AR) also called recoverin-associated retinopathy(RAR)retinal degeneration causing rapid, painless vision loss associated with sensitivity to light. 

Hepatobiliary system - the liver and gallbladder  

  • Chronic active hepatitis (CAH), or autoimmune hepatitis, is a disease of the liver usually occuring by itself, but sometimes with other autoimmune diseases e.g. lupus or APL syndrome. Symptoms include joint pain, nausea, fatigue and abdominal discomfort. Columbia University Article NDDIC

 

  • Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) also called Hanot Syndrome,  is a chronic liver disease, where the body detroys the cells lining the bile ducts in the liver. Australian support Group

 

 

 

 

Vasculitic syndromes -  inflammation of blood vessels including arteries and veins.

     Miscellaneous
  • Meniere's Disease has a group of inner ear symptoms, including tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vertigo (dizziness), and a sensation of fullness or pressure in the ears possibly with hearing loss. AHRF
  • Raynaud's phenomenon affects the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, ears, and nose with colour changes of the skin (white, blue or red). Often with cold-induced numbness (pins and needles sensation) of the fingers and toes. Virtual Medical Centre QLD Health
    • Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) is a type of hypercoagulability. Symptoms include thrombosis (blood clots in the deep veins of legs), arterial thrombosis (usually blood clots in the brain), recurrent pregnancy losses, and low platelet counts. APS Foundation of America Rare Diseases Network
  • Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS) regulates the death of lymphocytes. NIAID on ALPS
  • Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED) causes progressive hearing loss, tinnitus and often dizziness. AmericanHearing Research Foundation 
  • Cogan's Syndrome Medlink Cogan's Contact NetworkStatCounter - Free Web Tracker and Counter  View My Stats

The information on this site is not meant for diagnosis of a disease - please see your health care professional with your medical concerns.


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