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Autoimmune
The immune system developed to tell our own, normal cells (self) from foreign and abnormal cells (non-self). This lets the immune system eliminate viruses, bacteria, fungi and cancer cells from our body without harming normal cells. Sometimes the immune system fails to tell self from non-self and it attacks normal cells, for example in joints causing rheumatoid arthritis.
Dr. Martin Ostro reviewed this
51 year experience in Allergy and Immunology
How long it usually lasts:
Related questions
A 21-year old asked:
What does autoimmune mean?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 46-year old asked:
Hashimtos autoimmune thynoidity, what is this?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old male asked:
What is the definition or description of: autoimmune?
3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
A 39-year old female asked:
Can I, please, get a simple definition of "autoimmune" ?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 33-year old asked:
How can I get tested if I think I have an autoimmune condition?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 31-year old asked:
I do not know what it is exactly, all i know is its autoimmune) how much does medication help?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old female asked:
I haven't eaten nuts in almost 2 years bc of a special autoimmune diet. If I start up again how likely will I be allergic to it?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 35-year old female asked:
What can I do to start getting my life back? I'm trapped in my body who does not like me. I feel Like I'm decades older and I'm only 35. New dx autoimmune dz
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 32-year old asked:
Is fibromyalgia autoimmune?
5 doctor answers • 19 doctors weighed in
A 47-year old asked:
Is there an autoimmune urethritis?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A member asked:
I want to know about autoimmune disorders?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 44-year old asked:
Describe the features of autoimmune conditions.?
1 doctor answer • 9 doctors weighed in
A 42-year old female asked:
Can a major illness trigger an autoimmune disorder?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 39-year old asked:
How do autoimmune conditions develop in the first place?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 36-year old asked:
Why are autoimmune disorders are considered so dangerous?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old male asked:
What is the definition or description of: autoimmune panel?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 47-year old asked:
Autoimmune disorder and recurrent miscarriagesis there a link ?
2 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
How long are you expected to live if you have autoimmune problems?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 25-year old female asked:
Is there any particular "look" to people with autoimmune disorders?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 38-year old asked:
I am wondering which autoimmune illnesses can cause costochondritis?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 23-year old female asked:
What tests can be done to prove someone has autoimmune addison's disease?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 35-year old asked:
Autoimmune panel: what are the odds those tests will find anything wrong?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 40-year old asked:
For those with autoimmune disorders-how long did it take to get your diagnoses?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 25-year old female asked:
Can Sjgren's syndrome or any autoimmune illness be treated with IV infusions ?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 31-year old female asked:
If you have one autoimmune condition and it runs very strongly in your family what are the chances of getting more?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 31-year old asked:
I had battery of tests when first ttc and some autoimmune studies were abnormal. What does that mean later in life?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 27-year old female asked:
I have friends that take beta glucan for their autoimmune , one has told me "helps alot" any truth to this you think?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 31-year old female asked:
I know fibromyalgia isn't officially recognised as autoimmune but what do you think? Everything else I have been diagnosed with is...
3 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old female asked:
I have hashimotos. I heard that once you develop one autoimmune, your chances greatly increase to develop more. Is this true and what is the chance?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 25-year old female asked:
As a younger woman with autoimmune disorders, I find it hard at times to get into the romantic mood if ya know, ya know. Anyhow, how can i fix that?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
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