Autoimmune diseases: When the body turns on itself Over 100 conditions occur when the immune system mistakes the body for an enemy. An expert explains what goes wrong, who is most at risk, and why treatment remains so difficult Health 33 min ago

What you need to know: It is also well established that more women than men are likely to develop autoimmune diseases during their lifetime, and this has been linked to the X chromosome that women have.

This means that antibodies or immune cells, instead of focusing their attention on foreign agents, start focusing on the body.

It is also well established that more women than men are likely to develop autoimmune diseases during their lifetime, and this has been linked to the X chromosome that women have.