Overview of Autoimmune Diseases Your immune system is the network of cells and tissues in your body that work together to defend you from viruses, bacteria, and infection. It tries to identify and destroy the invaders that might hurt you. In autoimmune diseases, proteins known as autoantibodies target the body’s own healthy tissues by mistake, signaling the body to attack them.
Sometimes, your immune system makes mistakes. If it sees your body’s healthy cells as a threat, it may attack them. This can cause an autoimmune disorder.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body. Lupus occurs when the immune system, which normally helps protect the body from infection and disease, attacks its own tissues. This attack causes inflammation, and in some cases permanent tissue damage, which can be widespread – affecting the skin, joints, heart, lung ...
Vitiligo is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color. This happens when melanocytes – skin cells that make pigment – are attacked and destroyed, causing the skin to turn a milky-white color.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple joints, resulting in pain, swelling, and stiffness. Tiredness and fever may also be present.
In autoimmune diseases, proteins known as autoantibodies target the body’s own healthy tissues by mistake, signaling the body to attack them.
Sjogren's disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the glands that make moisture in the body. Most common symptoms are dry mouth & eyes. Learn more.
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that causes areas of tight, hard skin, but can also harm blood vessels and organs. Symptoms vary by type of scleroderma.