What are the different types of autoimmune diseases?

There are over 80 documented autoimmune diseases. Some of these are easier to recognize and diagnose while others are rarer and more difficult to diagnose. Most have no cure and require lifelong treatment to manage the symptoms. 

Some of the more common autoimmune diseases include: 

• Rheumatoid arthritis: A form of arthritis that attacks the tissue lining the joints on both sides of the body
• Lupus: Causes inflammation that damages tissue and organs throughout the body 
• Multiple sclerosis: Damages the protective covering around nerves causing progressive muscle weakness, numbness, and vision changes
• Type 1 diabetes: Caused by the inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin leading to high sugar levels in the body
• Crohn’s disease: A type of inflammatory bowel diseases that causes the digestive tract to swell and become irritated
• Hashimoto’s disease: Caused by a sluggish thyroid and insufficient production of thyroid hormone
• Graves’ disease: Caused by an overactive thyroid and excessive production of thyroid hormone
• Psoriasis: A skin condition that causes thick, scaly areas of skin, itching and discomfort 
• Psoriatic arthritis: A form of arthritis that’s linked to psoriasis and manifests as joint pain, stiffness, and skin rashes
• Celiac disease: A serious form of food intolerance to gluten, a protein found in certain grains
• Ulcerative colitis: Caused by inflammation in the colon 
• Sjögren’s syndrome: Damages the glands that produce and regulate body moisture resulting in unusual dryness in the mouth, eyes, or vagina