AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

WHAT ARE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES?

• Autoimmune diseases - when the body's immune system destroys healthy body tissue by mistake
• There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders

"AUTOIMMUNITY" IN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

WHAT DOES AUTOIMMUNITY MEAN?

• "Auto" means self
• Our immune system's job is to protect our bodies from viruses and harmful bacteria
• Autoimmunity - immune system responds AGAINST its own cells and tissues

COMMON AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

• Addison's disease
• Multiple scerlosis
• Pernicious anemia
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Type 1 diabetes

STATISTICS

• 1/5 Americans are affected
• Women are 75% more likely to develop an autoimmune disease
• It is possible to have multiple autoimmune diseases at once
• If family members have had one or many autoimmune disorders, you are more at risk for developing a similar disease

COMMON SYMPTOMS

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Pain in joints
• Rash
• Generally not feeling well

QUIZ: TRUE/FALSE

• You can have more than one autoimmune disease at a time.
• Men have a higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases.
• Genetics is a benefactor to autoimmune diseases.
• 1/10 Americans are affected by autoimmune disorders.
• One common autoimmune disease is rheumatoid arthritis.