Healthdirect Australia is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.
Autoimmune conditions
Graves' disease
This condition causes the thyroid gland in the neck to produce too much thyroid hormone, and can eventually lead to goitre and bulging eyes.
Myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis is a disease of the neuromuscular system that causes muscle weakness. Learn about its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Vasculitis
Vasculitis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of blood vessels. Discover more about its diagnosis and treatment options.
Sjögren’s syndrome
Sjögren’s syndrome is a condition of your immune system that commonly affects your eyes and salivary glands. Here's how your doctor may diagnose it.
Scleroderma
Scleroderma is an autoimmune condition affecting the connective tissue in the body. Learn more about its symptoms, diagnosis and management.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Experiencing pain and swelling in the smaller joints in your hands or feet? It could be rheumatoid arthritis. Find out more here.
Lupus
Lupus is a disease of the body’s immune system. Although its causes are not yet entirely known, lupus treatments are available.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain in the muscles and bones.
Coeliac disease and gluten intolerance
People with Coeliac disease can't eat foods containing gluten. Find out how it can affect your life and why it’s important to get diagnosed.
Hashimoto's disease
Hashimoto's disease can cause your body to produce too little thyroid hormone. Find out more about its causes, symptoms and treatment.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Guillain-Barre Syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes weakness, numbness or paralysis. Learn more about its symptoms and diagnosis.
Type 1 diabetes
Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes can be overwhelming. However, while the condition is not curable, there are ways to manage it successfully.
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
Top results
Autoimmune Diseases - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
1.Autoimmune diseases are a broad range of more than 80 related disorders that range from common to rare. They affect around 5% of people and are one of the most important chronic health problems in Australia and New Zealand. Common autoimmune diseases such as thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes affect more than 1% of people. Lupus (SLE) affects less than 0.1% of people and is more common and severe in Indigenous Australians, Polynesians and people descended from South East Asia.
Read more on ASCIA – Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy website
Autoimmune diseases - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
Autoimmune diseases are a broad range of related diseases in which a persons immune system produces an inappropriate response against its own cells, tissues and/or organs. This results in inflammation and damage. There are over 80 different autoimmune diseases, ranging from common to very rare. These diseases can be localised to a single organ or tissue, or generalised (systemic), affecting many body organs and tissues.
Read more on ASCIA – Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy website
Rheumatoid arthritis Arthritis Australia
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes pain and swelling of the joints
Read more on Arthritis Australia website
Rheumatoid arthritis | Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the lining of the joints become inflamed. Read about signs & symptoms, risk factors and Garvan's research into RA.
Read more on Garvan Institute of Medical Research website
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) information | myVMC
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder that causes rash, joint pain, and potentially serious brain and kidney problems.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Sjogren's syndrome (immune disorder) information | myVMC
Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic disorder that causes dry mouth and dry eyes. It affects people with auto-immune conditions like arthritis and lupus.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Autoimmune illness: What is Autoimmune illness?
Our body uses the immune system to protect itself from harmful things such as bacteria & viruses. This system has lots of different parts which work together to keep out damaging germs, & to attack & destroy any which manage to get inside your body.
Read more on Autoimmune Resource and Research Centre website
Autoantibodies - Lab Tests Online AU
Autoantibodies are a group of (immune ) that mistakenly target and damage specific tissues or organs of the body
Read more on Lab Tests Online website
HLA-B27 - Lab Tests Online AU
Why and when to get tested for HLA-B27
Read more on Lab Tests Online website
General information about the immune system - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
Immune system disorders fast facts. The immune system is a complex network of cells and proteins that defends the body against infection. Immune system disorders include allergic diseases, immunodeficiencies and autoimmune diseases.
Read more on ASCIA – Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy website
Top results
Biologics or tofacitinib for rheumatoid arthritis not improved by treatment with methotrexate or other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs | Cochrane
Biologics or tofacitinib for rheumatoid arthritis not improved by treatment with methotrexate or other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Biological interventions for the management of fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis | Cochrane
When you have rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system, which normally fights infection, attacks the lining of your joints, causing swelling, stiffness and pain. The small joints of your hands and feet are usually affected first. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis at present, so treatments aim to relieve pain and stiffness and improve your ability to move. Biologics are medications that can reduce joint inflammation, improve symptoms and prevent joint damage.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Leflunomide for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis | Cochrane
This summary of a Cochrane review presents what we know from research about the effect of Leflunomide on rheumatoid arthritis. The review shows that in people with rheumatoid arthritis:
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Opioid therapy for treating rheumatoid arthritis pain | Cochrane
This summary of a Cochrane review presents what we know from research about the effect of opioids for treating rheumatoid arthritis pain.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Acupunture and electroacupuncture for rheumatoid arthritis | Cochrane
Two studies of low to medium quality were reviewed and provide the best evidence we have today. The studies tested 84 people who had rheumatoid arthritis. The studies compared acupuncture to a placebo (fake therapy) or a steroid injection. Improvement was measured after one treatment or after five treatments given once per week.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Neuromodulators for pain management in rheumatoid arthritis | Cochrane
This summary of a Cochrane review presents what we know from research about the effect of neuromodulators on pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Herbal therapy for rheumatoid arthritis | Cochrane
This summary of a Cochrane review presents what we know from research about the effects of herbal therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Rituximab in autoimmune diseases | Issue 4 | Volume 39 | Australian Prescriber
Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that depletes B cells from the circulation. It was originally used to treat lymphoma but is increasingly used for the...
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Abatacept for rheumatoid arthritis | Cochrane
This summary of a Cochrane review presents what we know from research about the effect of abatacept on rheumatoid arthritis. Although expensive, if supported by the overall body of evidence, the claims of their benefit upon both symptoms and radiographic progression, and their low rate of short term side effects make them of great interest to patients with RA.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Anakinra for Rheumatoid Arthritis | Cochrane
This summary of a Cochrane review presents what we know from research about the effect of Anakrina on rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
