Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Diseases: What You Need to Know
Defining Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Diseases
Autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases are two types of conditions that can affect the body's immune system. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's healthy cells, while in autoinflammatory diseases, the immune system triggers inflammation even in the absence of an infection or injury.
Autoimmune Diseases
There are over 80 known autoimmune diseases, each of which targets specific organs or tissues in the body. Some common autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and type 1 diabetes. Symptoms of autoimmune diseases can range from mild to severe and can include pain, fatigue, rash, and organ damage.
Autoinflammatory Diseases
Autoinflammatory diseases are a group of rare conditions characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation without an apparent underlying cause. Some examples of autoinflammatory diseases include the familial Mediterranean fever and cryopyrin-associated periodic fever syndrome. Symptoms of autoinflammatory diseases can include fever, joint pain, abdominal pain, and skin rash.
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