Autoimmune Disorders - Treatment

Treatments differ for each type of autoimmune disorder. However, there is one treatment that is common to many forms of autoimmune disorders. That treatment is the use of drugs to reduce the inflammation, swelling, and pain that accompanies most autoimmune disorders. Inflammation occurs when antibodies attack and irritate tissues. Some common drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen (pronounced i-byoo-PRO-fuhn), help reduce inflammation and pain. Aspirin should not be given to children due to the danger of contracting Reye's syndrome (see Reye's syndrome entry). A more powerful medication is one of the many steroid medications. But steroids have some serious long-term side effects, and they are generally used only in severe cases or in situations where milder drugs are ineffective.