Autoimmune Diseases: When Defense Turns on Itself

Autoimmunity happens when the body mistakes self for enemy.
T-cells or antibodies start attacking healthy tissues.
Common examples include lupus, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Triggers can include infections, stress, or genetics.
Women are more prone to autoimmune conditions than men.
Inflammation becomes chronic and damaging over time.
Treatments aim to calm—not eliminate—the immune response.
Research focuses on retraining self-recognition pathways.
Early detection helps prevent lasting tissue damage.
Autoimmunity shows how precision is as important as power.