Autoimmune diseases affect some fifty million Americans, 75 percent of whom are women. In the first-ever book of its kind, Jill P. Buyon, M.D., and women’s-health specialist Rita Baron-Faust teach us what we need to know to identify, understand, and treat what they call “the intimate enemy.”You'll learn:Which tests you might need and how to obtain a correct diagnosis Early signs and symptoms and how to sort out vague and unrelated symptoms Answers to frequently asked questions about fertility and pregnancy How autoimmune disorders and their treatments can affect you at different stages of life Expert advice on getting the latest treatments, finding a specialist, and navigating the health-care system What science and medicine have to offer for treatments, new therapies, and more With The Autoimmune Connection, you’ll be armed with the expertise of two of the field’s most qualified authorities and the latest from the medical specialists at the institutions leading the way in investigating these diseases.“The common threads that connect the autoimmune diseases are woven throughout this important book, enabling readers to obtain a greater understanding of these illnesses individually and collectively. Together with new information contained in this volume about diagnostic and treatment advances, patients (and their families) will be better able to cope with these diseases and . . . get on with their lives.”—From the IntroductionMany people have struggled with various chronic illnesses, going to doctor after doctor and being diagnosed with a wide variety of ailments. But all too often the symptoms remain elusive and don’t lend themselves to a clear diagnosis.These symptoms often point to a set of diseases known as autoimmune disorders. A wide array of conditions, these disorders create a state where the body’s defense system, originally designed to kill germs and disease, attack healthy tissue. The resulting conditions cover a wide range of illnesses, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, Graves’ disease, and multiple sclerosis, among many others.Seventy-five percent of autoimmune disease sufferers are women. But although these diseases represent the third largest cause of chronic illness among American women and are among the top ten leading causes of death in American women sixty-five and under, the true nature of these illnesses has long been shrouded in misunderstandings and ignorance on the part of the medical community. Until now.Now there is hope, with The Autoimmune Connection. In this invaluable text, Jill M. Buyon, M.D., and Rita Baron-Faust explain the nature of the various autoimmune disorders. With help from a host of medical experts, they provide vital information in the fight for better health. They explore the genetic predisposition many families have towards these disorders and how early knowledge can facilitate treatment. They also explain the intricacies of the immune system and how they can go awry, as well as going into important detail on the specific kinds of autoimmune disorders.Sources, self-help, special treatment centers, and other important resources are also provided to give support and paths to more efficient treatment. With expert information and compassionate guidance, the authors give you the information to help you take more control of these sometimes-mysterious illnesses and create a life of optimal health.