Autoimmune Disease Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
ACA syndrome is a type of autoimmune disease that causes symptoms of blocked arteries, blocked veins, or recurring. This disease is also known as antiphospholipid syndrome ( antiphospholipid syndrome ) or Hughes syndrome.
ACA syndrome is more common in women, especially those of reproductive age or those between the ages of 20–40 years. It is estimated that one in 20 adults has this disease.
Symptoms
ACA syndrome can cause blockages in blood vessels and interfere with pregnancy.
If ACA syndrome causes blockages in blood vessels, the symptoms can include:
- Sudden weakness of arms or legs due to stroke
- Swollen legs due to blocked blood vessels in the legs
- Heart attack at a young age
- Sudden severe shortness of breath due to blockage in the pulmonary arteries (pulmonary embolism)
Meanwhile, in pregnant women, ACA syndrome can cause disturbances in the form of:
- Recurrent miscarriage
- Premature labor
- Preeclampsia (pregnancy poisoning)
- Eclampsia (pregnancy poisoning accompanied by seizures)
Reason
ACA syndrome is an autoimmune disease, characterized by the appearance of antibodies that attack the part of our body’s own cells called cardiolipin. The cause of the emergence of these antibodies is not clearly known until now.
However, ACA syndrome is more common in people with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis.
Diagnosis
Generally, doctors will suspect ACA syndrome in someone if that person has recurrent miscarriages. Apart from that, it should also be suspected if someone has a stroke, heart attack, or blockage of blood vessels for no apparent reason at a young age.
To confirm the presence of ACA syndrome, there are several laboratory tests that must be carried out, such as:
- Lupus anticoagulant (LA)
- Anticardiolipin antibody (ACA)
- Anti-beta-2 glycoprotein I
The three examinations must be carried out twice with an interval of at least 12 weeks. If the test results are positive at these two times, then the diagnosis of ACA syndrome can be confirmed.
In addition to these laboratory tests, several tests also need to be carried out to confirm the presence of blood vessel obstruction, such as an MRI of the brain (if a stroke is suspected), an MRI of the chest (if an obstruction of the pulmonary arteries is suspected), or an MRI of the abdomen (if a blockage is suspected in the liver). In addition, a Doppler ultrasound examination needs to be done if a blockage in the leg arteries is suspected.
Treatment
People with ACA syndrome tend to have ‘thick’ blood. Therefore, he must avoid things that can aggravate blood coagulation. For example hormonal contraception, smoking habits, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol).
In addition, people with ACA syndrome will generally be given low-dose aspirin. Aspirin is given to prevent blockage of blood vessels.
If the blood vessel blockage has already occurred, then to overcome the blockage, the doctor will give ‘blood thinning’ drugs in the form of anticoagulants, namely heparin or warfarin. This drug must be used in the long term and needs to be closely monitored by a doctor to make sure the dosage of the drug is correct.
In general, it is necessary to carry out laboratory tests in the form of routine activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) or international normalized ratio (INR) checks every month. The goal is to ensure the dose of drug received is correct.
If ACA syndrome occurs in jamil mothers, treatment will be carried out by injecting the anticoagulant heparin and taking aspirin every day for several days after giving birth.
Prevention
There is nothing that can be done to prevent ACA syndrome. However, if someone suffers from ACA syndrome, that person should not use hormonal contraception and avoid exposure to cigarette smoke to prevent blood from getting thicker and prevent blood vessel blockage.