An autoimmune disease is a medical disorder that is often transmitted genetically from one family member to the other. Autoimmune diseases occur when the patient’s immune system perceives the body’s own otherwise healthy tissues as foreign, attacking and destroying them as a result. There are over 80 different varieties of autoimmune disorders. Such disorders may lead to changes in the way of functioning of an organ or abnormal growth of some organs within the body. Addison’s disease, multiple sclerosis, reactive and rheumatoid arthritis are some examples of autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases are usually manifested by symptoms of fever and a sense of constant fatigue in patients. In more serious cases, autoimmune disorders may occur in the patient’s blood, which may require blood transfusion. Autoimmune disorders are usually diagnosed by tests such as autoantibody tests and antinuclear antibody tests. In India, a large section of the population suffers from autoimmune diseases such as type-1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or other thyroid-related ailments. Such disorders are often controlled with the help of medicines that are known as immunosuppressive medicines. Modern day diagnostic tools, medication and greater health awareness among the people has made the control of autoimmune diseases much easier than before in India. Hide this