An autoimmune disease is a type of disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and damages healthy tissues in the body. Normally, the immune system is responsible for identifying and attacking foreign substances such as viruses, bacteria, and toxins that enter the body. However, in the case of autoimmune diseases, the immune system becomes confused and starts to recognize healthy tissues as foreign, triggering an immune response that attacks and damages these tissues.
There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune diseases, and they can affect various organs and tissues in the body, including the skin, joints, muscles, thyroid gland, pancreas, and nervous system. Examples of the most common autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Hashimoto’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. The symptoms and severity of autoimmune diseases vary depending on the specific condition and the organs and tissues involved.
*Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body attacks its own tissues, causing inflammation in the joints. Osteoarthritis also involves inflammation, but its cause is wear and tear in the joints over time. In the US, 52.5 million people suffer from arthritis and CDC experts predict this number will grow to 67 million by 2030.
*Lupus. This autoimmune disease involves the body attacking its own tissues, leading to inflammation in many parts of the body. The Lupus Foundation of America indicates it mostly affects young women and about 1.5 million people in the United States have forms of lupus; a 2002 CDC report noted that African American women are three times more likely to get lupus than women of other ethnicities.
*Hashimoto’s Disease. This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and damages the thyroid, which can lead to swelling of the thyroid (called a goiter), among other symptoms. The Thyroid Research journal reports that Hashimoto’s is the most common hypothyroid condition in the United States.
*Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This autoimmune disease of the nervous system results in the protective coatings on nerve cells—called myelin sheaths—being attacked and damaged. This can cause vision problems, disrupted motor functions, dizziness, and muscle weakness. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society estimates that 400,000 Americans suffer from MS.
