Definition

1. Noun:
   • A medical condition: An "autoimmune disorder" is any of a large group of diseases characterized by abnormal functioning of the immune system. In these disorders, the immune system mistakenly produces antibodies that attack and damage the body's own healthy tissues and organs.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disorder.
  • The exact cause of many autoimmune disorders is still unknown to researchers.
  • She was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder that affects her thyroid gland.

Advanced Usage

• "to have/manage an autoimmune disorder": This phrasing is commonly used to describe living with or treating such a chronic condition.
  • Learning to manage her autoimmune disorder was a long process.
• The term is often used in a general, collective sense.
  • Research into autoimmune disorders has advanced significantly.

Variants and Related Words

• Autoimmune (adjective): Of or relating to an autoimmune disorder.
  • The patient is suffering from an autoimmune disease.
• Autoimmunity (noun): The condition or state of having an autoimmune response.
  • The study focused on the mechanisms of autoimmunity.

Synonyms

• Autoimmune disease: A nearly identical term often used interchangeably.
• Autoimmune condition: A synonym emphasizing the chronic nature of the disorder.

Related Phrases

• Systemic autoimmune disorder: A phrase specifying a disorder that can affect multiple body systems.
  • Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disorder.
• Organ-specific autoimmune disorder: A phrase specifying a disorder that primarily targets a single organ.
  • Type 1 diabetes is considered an organ-specific autoimmune disorder.

Noun

1. any of a large group of diseases characterized by abnormal functioning of the immune system that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against your own tissues