Autoimmune Disorders
The immune system is a collection of special cells and chemicals that fight infection-causing agaents such as bacteria and viruses. An autoimmune disorder occurs when a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks their own body tissues. Autoimmune disorders are broadly grouped into two categories: ‘organ specific’ means one organ is affected, while in ‘non-organ-specific’ disorders,multiple organs or systems may be affected. There are around 80 different autoimmune disoreders ranging in severity from mild to disabling, depending on which system of the body is under attack and to what degree. It is thought that sex hormones may be at least partly responsible. There is generally no cure, but the symptoms of autoimmune disorders can be managed.