What Are Autoimmune Diseases?
Autoimmune diseases are conditions where the body attacks itself.
Autoimmune diseases are caused by an immune system that mistakenly identifies its own tissues as foreign invaders. The result is inflammation, pain, fatigue, and other symptoms.
They include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and many others
Autoimmune diseases affect millions of people worldwide. In fact, autoimmune disorders are the third leading cause of death among women between ages 15 and 44.
What Causes Autoimmune Disease?
There are several different types of autoimmune diseases, each with its own set of symptoms. However, there are some commonalities across these conditions. One of the most common is inflammation. Inflammation occurs when the immune system becomes activated and begins attacking healthy tissue. This type of attack is called an autoimmune response.
Who Is at Risk?
People who have certain genetic traits are more likely to develop an autoimmune condition than others. These people also tend to have other medical issues, such as allergies, asthma, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders, and Type 1 diabetes.
Symptoms & Treatment Options
There are several different types of autoimmune diseases, each with its own symptoms and treatment options. In general, however, these conditions involve inflammation and damage to tissues throughout the body.
They include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and others
Autoimmune diseases affect millions of people worldwide. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), more than 2 million Americans suffer from one of these conditions. While some of them are rare, others are common, affecting as many as 1 in every 100 people.