Autoimmunity is a condition in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. It occurs when the body's immune system fails to recognize its own cells and tissues and mistakenly attacks them as if they were a foreign invader.
Autoimmunity can affect any part of the body, including the skin, joints, muscles, eyes, lungs, heart, and brain. The most common form of autoimmunity is autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are disorders in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own organs, tissues, and cells. Examples of autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes.
Autoimmunity can also cause inflammation, which can lead to pain, swelling, and damage to joints and organs. Autoimmune diseases can be difficult to diagnose and treat, but current treatments involve controlling the immune system with medications, such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, or with lifestyle changes, such as avoiding foods that may trigger an immune response.
Autoimmunity is a complex condition with many possible causes, including genetic predisposition, environmental exposures, and an imbalance in the body’s microbiome. Research is ongoing to better understand the root causes of autoimmunity and to develop new treatments.