Your immune system is your body's built-in defense against illness and infection. It acts like a powerful army made up of different cells that can detect and destroy invaders like bacteria or viruses.
Mistaken Identity: In autoimmune diseases, your immune system gets confused and mistakenly attacks your own healthy cells and tissues as if they were the enemy.
Why does this happen?
Scientists don't know exactly why the immune system gets confused, but it might be a combination of:
Genetics: Some people are more likely to develop autoimmune diseases because of their genes (family history).
Environment: Things in your environment, like certain infections or exposure to chemicals, might trigger an autoimmune reaction in some people.
Types of autoimmune diseases
There are over 80 different types of autoimmune diseases. Some of the most common ones include:
Rheumatoid arthritis: Attacks joints, causing inflammation, pain, and stiffness.
Type 1 diabetes: Attacks the pancreas, preventing it from making insulin, a hormone needed to control blood sugar.
Lupus: Affects many parts of the body, including joints, skin, kidneys, and the brain.
Multiple sclerosis (MS): Damages the protective covering of nerves, affecting the brain and spinal cord.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the specific disease, but common ones include:
Fatigue (feeling very tired)
Joint pain and swelling
Skin problems
Digestive issues
Recurring fever
Treatment
There's no cure for most autoimmune diseases, but treatments focus on:
Controlling the overactive immune system: Medications can help calm the immune response.
Managing symptoms: This could include pain relief, medications to manage specific conditions (like insulin for diabetes), or lifestyle changes.
Living with an autoimmune disease can be challenging, but with proper treatment and support, many people live full and active lives.
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