About 20% of Americans suffer from some type of autoimmune disease, and women are far more likely to be affected than men. Autoimmune diseases occur when your body creates antibodies that destroy tissues. Symptoms include joint pain, muscle pain, weight gain or inability to lose weight, headaches, fatigue, intestinal issues. There are often physiological imbalances, foods, and environmental triggers that can cause inflammation and flare-ups. The most important thing is to identify the underlying causes with sophisticated testing, then create a roadmap for managing it effectively.