Dementia

Autoimmune Disorders

A healthy immune system defends the body against disease and infection. But if the immune system malfunctions, it mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissues, and organs. Called autoimmune disease, these attacks can affect any part of the body, weakening bodily function and even turning life-threatening. An autoimmune disorder may result in: The destruction of body tissue, abnormal growth of an organ, changes in organ function. An autoimmune disorder may affect one or more organ or tissue types. Areas often affected by autoimmune disorders include: Blood vessels, connective tissues, endocrine glands such as the thyroid or pancreas, joints, muscles, red blood cells, skin.