Health Tip: Understanding Autoimmune Diseases

(HealthDay News) -- An autoimmune disease occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly begins to attack itself. More commonly known autoimmune diseases include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Here is more information about autoimmune diseases, courtesy of the U.S. National Women's Health Information Center:

• Autoimmune diseases affect more women than men, and tend to run in families.
• Symptoms may come and go, with no symptoms for a while, then a sudden, severe attack called a "flare-up."
• Symptoms and severity can vary greatly from disease to disease.
• Medication can help control symptoms, as can reducing stress. Meditation and self-hypnosis also have helped some people.
• People with an autoimmune disease should practice healthy habits including getting regular exercise, eating a proper diet, and getting plenty of sleep.