Autoimmune conditions occur when the body’s immune system, which normally fights off pathogens and infections, mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy tissues. Instead of protecting you, it treats parts of your body as if they were threats, which can cause inflammation and damage over time. Common examples include rheumatoid arthritis (which affects the joints), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, or lupus, which can affect the skin, joints, and organs), and multiple sclerosis (which affects the nerves).
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