An autoimmune disease is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, causing inflammation and damage. These diseases can affect any part of the body, and cause a wide range of symptoms.

While there are over 80 known autoimmune diseases, some are more common than others. Here are the 10 most prevalent autoimmune diseases:.

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints, causing inflammation, pain, and stiffness. It typically begins in middle age and affects women more often than men.

RA can also cause systemic symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, and weight loss.

2. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, and other organs.

SLE can cause a wide range of symptoms, including joint pain, skin rash, fatigue, fever, and kidney damage. It is more common in women than men, and typically develops in the 20s and 30s.

3. Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.

MS can cause a wide range of symptoms, including muscle weakness, coordination problems, vision loss, and cognitive impairment. It typically develops in young adults and affects women more often than men.

4. Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the pancreas, causing it to produce little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, and without it, the body cannot properly use glucose for energy.

Type 1 diabetes can cause a wide range of symptoms, including excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and weight loss. It typically develops in childhood or adolescence.

5. Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the skin, causing thick, scaly patches to develop. These patches can be itchy, painful, and disfiguring. Psoriasis can also affect the nails and joints, causing nail deformities and joint pain.

It typically develops in young adulthood and affects both men and women equally.

6. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the digestive tract, causing inflammation, ulcers, and bleeding. IBD includes both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, while ulcerative colitis affects only the colon and rectum. IBD can cause a wide range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. It typically develops in young adults and affects both men and women equally.

7. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland, causing it to become inflamed and damaged. This can lead to an underactive thyroid gland, known as hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, depression, and constipation. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is more common in women than men, and typically develops in middle age.

8. Sjogren’s Syndrome

Sjogren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the salivary and lacrimal glands, causing dry mouth and eyes. It can also affect other parts of the body, such as the joints, skin, and lungs.

Sjogren’s syndrome can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain, and vaginal dryness. It is more common in women than men, and typically develops in middle age.

9. Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the small intestine, causing damage to the lining when gluten is consumed. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

Celiac disease can cause a wide range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. It is more common in women than men, and typically develops in childhood or young adulthood.

10. Vasculitis

Vasculitis is a group of chronic autoimmune diseases that affect the blood vessels, causing inflammation and damage. Vasculitis can affect any part of the body, and can cause a wide range of symptoms, depending on which organs are affected.

Some types of vasculitis are more common in women than men, and most types develop in middle age or older.