The Autoimmune Connection
By: Rita Baron-Faust and Jill Buyon, M.D

AARDA Board member and women health expert Rita Baron-Faust and Jill P. Buyon, M.D., a leading clinician and researcher, have collaborated to produce The Autoimmune Connection: Essential information for women on diagnosis, treatment and getting on with your life. This book is filled with information designed to empower patients to make informed decisions about autoimmune disorders. Through The Autoimmune Connection, the reader will learn which tests might be needed and how to obtain a correct diagnosis, early signs and symtoms and how to sort out vague and unrelated symptoms, answers to frequently asked questions about fertility and pregnancy, how autoimmune disorders and their treatments can affect the woman at different stages of life, and expert advice on getting the latest treatments, finding a specialist and navigating the health care system.

Available From AARDA

Understanding Autoimmune Diseases - Booklet Currently is out of print and NOT AVAILABLE
By: National Institutes of Health/National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Description: This booklet, published by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), describes what autoimmune diseases are and the underlying causes of autoimmune diseases. It includes a detailed description of how the immune system works with color graphics illustrating each step. There is brief coverage of how autoimmune diseases are diagnosed and treated, with explanations of some of the more common autoimmune diseases. The resource section at the end of the booklet includes addresses, phone numbers and web sites for organizations offering support and information about autoimmune diseases.

Available From AARDA

Questions & Answers about Autoimmunity - Booklet
By: NIH - NIAMS

This booklet, published by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), answers common questions about autoimmunity, the underlying cause of autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases can affect almost any organ or system of the body. This booklet details the organs/systems that are affected by different autoimmune diseases, how autoimmune diseases are treated and diagnosed, and the types of specialists that treat autoimmune diseases. Also included is the contact information for the National Institutes of Health and nonprofit organizations that offer information and support for autoimmune diseases. The appendixes offer a glossary of terms and definitions of the major autoimmune diseases.

Available From AARDA

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Booklet
By: National Institutes for Health/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

This booklet, published by the National Institutes for Health/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, describes what rheumatoid arthritis is, and how it develops and progresses. Diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is covered, along with a detailed description of medications, effects and side effects. There is also a section covering current research on rheumatoid arthritis.

Available From AARDA

Questions & Answers about Sj?grens Syndrome - Booklet
By: National Institutes of Health

This booklet, published by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), gives an overview of many topics associated with Sj?gren Syndrome, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system targets moisture-producing glands and causes dryness in the mouth and eyes, and can also affect other parts of the body. The booklet covers the causes of Sj?gren, diagnosis, treatment, and the types of specialists involved in treating Sj?gren. Special emphasis is given to treatment for dry eyes and dry mouth. Effects of Sj?gren on other parts of the body as well as the Sj?gren - lymphoma link is discussed. Current research efforts and contact information for organizations offering information and support for Sj?gren Syndrome can be found at the end of the booklet.

Available Fro AARDA

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - Booklet
By: National Institute of Health (NIH)

What is lupus? Who does it affect? What are its symptoms? Do they mimic other diseases? These and other questions are answered in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, a new book that is being made available free to the public by the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc. (AARDA). The offer is part of AARDA ongoing commitment to educate the public about autoimmunity, the underlying cause of some 80 autoimmune diseases, including lupus.

According to recent national survey, there is still significant confusion and misunder- standing about lupus, particularly among those most at risk of developing the disease - women in the childbearing years.

Produced by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institute of Health (NIH), the book seeks to clear up the confusion by presenting the latest information about lupus, including the most up-to-date methods of diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Written in layman language, the book is geared toward patients, their families, and anyone interested in learning more about lupus.

Available From AARDA

Environmental Triggers of Autoimmune Disease: Recent Progress and Recommendations
By: A Report of the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association

Autoimmune diseases encompass a broad spectrum of human disorders sharing a common pathogenetic mechanism - failure of the immune system to distinguish self from non-self. Although most autoimmune diseases show evidence of genetic susceptibility, there are clearly other risk factors involved in initiating and exacerbating the disease progress. This article provides a brief review of research progress made in this field since the late 1990s and puts forth some recommendations for directions of future work.

This 15-page 2-color glossy report covers such environmental triggers as metals and autoimmunity, organic compounds, pesticides, ultraviolet radiation, and stress and triggers of autoimmune diseases. It is available for a donation of any amount.

Available From AARDA