immune system - 3 diseases

Our immune system works hard day after day to protect us from a host of harmful substances, such as viruses and bacteria. Because it’s constantly exposed to intruders, the immune system develops antibodies that act like tiny soldiers to help fight invaders.

But sometimes the immune system is defective. What happens when it malfunctions? Antibodies mistake parts of the body for the enemy, and they start to attack. This type of malfunction leads to what are called auto-immune diseases.

Among the many autoimmune diseases that exist, this guide will focus on Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. They’re more common than you think, and you’ll learn more about each one.

Table of contents

• How does our immune system work?
• Crohn’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Living with the disease