Educate

What is
autoimmune disease?

In simplest terms, autoimmune disease is a condition where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues.   The role of the immune system is to fight off sickness but, in the case of autoimmune disease, attacks the body’s own cells.   Over 100 different autoimmune diseases have been identified and that number continues to rise. Many of the diseases can take time to diagnose as there are many similar symptoms.   There is no cure for autoimmune related diseases and most treatment is centered around relieving the symptoms of the patient.

• Autoimmune related diseases affect up to 50 million people, according to the AARDA.*
• 75% of those affected by autoimmune disease are women.
• Type 1 Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus are some of the more well known AA-related diseases.
• Common long-term treatments such as steroids and immunosuppressants can have damaging side effects.
• According to the AARDA*, it is suspected there are 40 additional diseases that have yet to be classified as autoimmune related.  That is in addition to the 80+ diseases that have already been identified as autoimmune.

 

 

*American Autoimmune Related Disease Association