What are the 10 Most Common Autoimmune Diseases?

3. Lupus

According to The Lupus Foundation of America, over 1.5 million Americans are living with lupus. This autoimmune disease can be difficult to diagnose because it affects a wide range of organs and parts of the body. Autoimmune antibodies attach to tissues in the kidneys, lungs, nerves, joints, or blood cells. Often, the symptoms of lupus are mistaken for signs of other autoimmune diseases such as Graves disease or rheumatoid arthritis. Signs of lupus range from a rash on the nose or cheeks to swelling of the limbs, hair loss, and anemia. People with lupus generally need to take medication regularly throughout their lives to suppress their overactive immune systems.