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Posted on Mar 19, 2008, 9 a.m.
By Bill Freeman
A type of illness that occurs when the body tissues are attacked by its own immune system. People suffering from autoimmune diseases tend to have unusual antibodies circulating in their blood that target their own body tissues. Autoimmune diseases are more common in women than in men. Examples of autoimmune diseases include systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile (type 1) diabetes, Addison disease, vitiligo, pernicious anemia, glomerulonephritis, and pulmonary fibrosis.
A type of illness that occurs when the body tissues are attacked by its own immune system. People suffering from autoimmune diseases tend to have unusual antibodies circulating in their blood that target their own body tissues. Autoimmune diseases are more common in women than in men. Examples of autoimmune diseases include systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile (type 1) diabetes, Addison disease, vitiligo, pernicious anemia, glomerulonephritis, and pulmonary fibrosis.
