Twenty million adults in the United States live with an autoimmune disease. In this guide, Dr. Julius Birnbaum offers essential advice for navigating the complex world of various autoimmune diseases. This resource will help patients, caregivers, and health care professionals understand the diagnosis, management, and treatment of conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, and more.



Dr. Birnbaum, an expert in both neurology and rheumatology, covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of autoimmunity to the nuances of various rheumatic diseases and their interconnected nature. Dr. Birnbaum provides a primer on autoimmunity, explaining how the immune system can mistakenly attack the body's own tissues; discusses the roles and limitations of blood tests and biopsies; covers the complexities of various treatment options; emphasizes the importance of personalized treatment plans; debunks common myths about rheumatic diseases and provides practical pearls of wisdom that can help improve quality of life; and provides captivating patient narratives from his clinical practice that clarify how to diagnose and treat autoimmune diseases.



This essential overview of autoimmune diseases, supplemented with helpful tools for readers and their loved ones, offers hope and empowerment for managing these complex conditions.