Autoimmune diseases result from an over active immune system that turns on the body and organs of its owner. It turns on the body's own tissues and destroys them. There are dozens of diseases link to autoimmune disorders and many more suspected diseases that can at times be linked to autoimmune issues. The problem in diagnosing autoimmune diseases is that their symptoms can mimic other diseases or be very vague.
Diabetes type 1 results from the immune system destroying the beta cells in the pancreas, multiple sclerosis happens when the body attacks the protective coating around nerves.
Damage from autoimmune disease can be localized, such as joint problems or nerve issues or they can be systemic and affect multiple organs and tissue types!
Autoimmune diseases are more common in women although men can get them too.
Treatments can be supportive, for the symptoms of pain and discomfort, as well as replacing what is destroyed by the disease such as thyroid hormone, or insulin.
There are also chemotherapeutic agents and drugs used in organ transplantation that are given to suppress the immune system and protect the body organs being attacked from severe damage.
http://womenshealth.gov/faq/autoimmune-diseases.cfm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/autoimmunediseases.html#cat5
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