When you think of your immune system, you may think of a time when you’ve been sick and your body has fought off the illness. Your autoimmune system is constantly working to monitor and protect you, ready to fight back against threats like a bacterial and viral infection. However, sometimes the body can misfire, mistaking harmless body processes as dangerous and triggering an autoimmune disorder.
Understanding the intricacies and symptoms of autoimmune diseases is key to their early detection and treatment. Today, we’ll discuss what autoimmune diseases are, some common symptoms, and five common autoimmune diseases.
Definition of Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune diseases are a complex group of conditions that occur when the immune system mistakes the body’s own tissues or organs as a foreign invader. In response, the immune system kicks into high gear to protect you. This response can lead to effects like inflammation, tissue damage, and even organ dysfunction in various parts of the body.
Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune disease symptoms vary widely depending on the condition, and everyone experiences them differently. Some people may have severe symptoms that they’re constantly affected by, while others may have much more mild symptoms.
Here are 10 common signs of an autoimmune disease to watch out for:
- Fatigue: Many individuals with an autoimmune disorder experience consistent fatigue, regardless of how much sleep they get, how much physical activity they’ve had, or how long they’ve been awake.
- Fever: A consistent low-grade fever that comes and goes can be a sign of many different autoimmune conditions.
- Hair loss: Changes in your hair like hair loss and thinning can sometimes be associated with autoimmune conditions.
- Weight changes: Substantial weight loss or gain within a short period of time regardless of lifestyle changes can be an indicator that an autoimmune condition is present.
- Difficulty concentrating: Brain fog or difficulty concentrating can affect those with an autoimmune disease.
- Skin problems: Changes in your skin like rashes, swelling, or redness can all be signs that you may have an autoimmune condition.
- Joint pain/swelling: Inflammation, swelling, or pain in your joints can be a hallmark indicator of an autoimmune condition like rheumatoid arthritis.
- Numbness or tingling: Numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness can all be signs of multiple sclerosis, a condition that affects the central nervous system.
- Digestive problems: Digestive problems or abdominal pain over a long period of time can be a sign of an autoimmune disorder.
- Swollen glands: Swollen lymph nodes in your neck are normally known as a sign of infection, but they can also be a symptom of an autoimmune disease.
5 Common Autoimmune Diseases
Doctors are still learning more about this complex group of conditions through research and testing. However, there are some autoimmune conditions that doctors already know a lot about and have developed treatments for.
Here are 5 of the most common autoimmune diseases.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that mostly attacks the joints. This disease often presents itself through joint pain in the hands, wrists, and knees.
- Lupus: Lupus is an autoimmune disease that attacks different parts of the body including joints, skin, and organs. Among other symptoms, people with lupus may experience a butterfly-shaped rash on the bridge of their nose and across their face, headaches, and extreme fatigue.
- Celiac disease: Celiac disease is an illness that affects someone when they eat gluten and their body sees it as a threat. This disease often presents itself in digestive issues that occur specifically after consuming gluten.
- Type 1 diabetes: Type 1 diabetes is a condition where the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Many people with type 1 diabetes experience symptoms such as being more thirsty than normal, losing weight in a short period of time without trying, or feeling tired and weak.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): MS is a long-lasting condition that affects how your central nervous system (CNS) operates. Among other symptoms, individuals with MS may experience fatigue, brain fog, muscular weakness, and digestive problems.
If you think you may have an autoimmune disease, Community Access Network is here for you.
If you think you may have an autoimmune condition, your first step should be to seek the advice and care of a qualified healthcare provider. They’ll be able to learn more about your medical history, run some blood tests on you, and help you figure out what’s going on.
Regardless of your age, income, or insurance status, Community Access Network is here to serve you. If you think you may have an autoimmune disease, Community Access Network has information, resources, and support ready for you. Our team of qualified providers will work with you to develop a comprehensive, compassionate care plan for anything you may need.