What Are Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Affliction?

Betwixt taking care of yourself and family members and trying to manage a social life and career, it'southward common for women to feel tired and achy. But are these symptoms of a stressful life, or could they be tied to an underlying condition like autoimmune disease?

Ana-Maria Orbai, M.D., M.H.Southward., is a rheumatologist at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Eye. Rheumatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal diseases and autoimmune conditions (rheumatic disease). Orbai talks about how to recognize common autoimmune affliction symptoms and when you should see a doctor.

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Autoimmune Disease Basics

Autoimmune disease happens when the body'due south natural defence force arrangement can't tell the difference between your ain cells and foreign cells, causing the body to mistakenly assail normal cells. There are more than lxxx types of autoimmune diseases that bear upon a wide range of body parts.

The about common autoimmune diseases in women are:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis, a form of arthritis that attacks the joints
  • Psoriasis, a condition marked by thick, scaly patches of skin
  • Psoriatic arthritis, a type of arthritis affecting some people with psoriasis
  • Lupus, a disease that damages areas of the trunk that include joints, skin and organs
  • Thyroid diseases, including Graves' disease, where the body makes too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism), and Hashimoto'south thyroiditis, where it doesn't make enough (hypothyroidism) of the hormone

Symptoms of autoimmune disease may exist severe in some people and balmy in others. "There are different degrees of autoimmune disease," says Orbai. "The symptoms a person gets likely chronicle to multiple factors that include genetics, environment and personal health."

Common Autoimmune Disease Symptoms

Despite the varying types of autoimmune disease, many of them share similar symptoms. Mutual symptoms of autoimmune disease include:

  • Fatigue
  • Joint pain and swelling
  • Peel problems
  • Intestinal pain or digestive issues
  • Recurring fever
  • Swollen glands

Many women say it's hard to become diagnosed, something that Orbai agrees with. "It's not black or white," she says. "There's unremarkably no single test to diagnose autoimmune disease. You accept to accept certain symptoms combined with specific blood markers and in some cases, even a tissue biopsy. It'south not just ane factor."

Diagnosis can too be difficult because these symptoms can come up from other common conditions. Orbai says women should seek treatment when they observe new symptoms.

"If you've been healthy and all of a sudden you lot feel fatigue or articulation stiffness, don't downplay that," she says. "Telling your doctor helps him or her to look closer at your symptoms and run tests to either identify or dominion out autoimmune disease."

autoimmune disease spelled out

Autoimmune Affliction: Why Is My Immune System Attacking Itself?

Autoimmune disease affects 23.v million Americans, and nearly 80 per centum of those are women. If you're 1 of the millions of women afflicted by this group of diseases, which includes lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disease, you may exist wondering why your immune system is attacking itself.

Autoimmune Disease Risk Factors

Researchers don't know what causes autoimmune disease, but several theories indicate to an overactive immune organisation attacking the body after an infection or injury. We do know that certain risk factors increment the chances of developing autoimmune disorders, including:

  • Genetics: Certain disorders such as lupus and multiple sclerosis (MS) tend to run in families. "Having a relative with autoimmune disease increases your risk, just it doesn't mean you lot will develop a illness for sure," says Orbai.
  • Weight: Existence overweight or obese raises your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. This could be considering more weight puts greater stress on the joints or because fat tissue makes substances that encourage inflammation.
  • Smoking: Research has linked smoking to a number of autoimmune diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, hyperthyroidism and MS.
  • Certain medications: "Sure blood pressure level medications or antibiotics can trigger drug-induced lupus, which is often a more benign grade of lupus," Orbai says. "Our myositis center besides discovered that specific medications used to lower cholesterol, called statins, tin can trigger statin-induced myopathy." Myopathy is a rare autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness. Before starting or stopping any medications, nevertheless, brand sure to talk to your doctor.

Autoimmune Disease and Your Health

Having lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis raises your risk for heart disease. While taking steps to reduce heart illness is ever a good idea, information technology is even more essential if you have 1 of these conditions. Talk to your physician about what you can practise to keep your heart healthy and strong. For instance, keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol levels inside good for you ranges, eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly tin be lifesaving.

These steps tin can also assistance reduce the symptoms of autoimmune illness. Orbai admits that making fourth dimension for healthy living can be difficult, given women'due south fast-paced lives, simply she insists that finding the balance is cardinal to living with autoimmune affliction.

"It's something that's going to involve commitment, and sometimes it'south going to be tough," she says. "Only learning to listen to your torso and being smart virtually what triggers your disease is important. It'southward something you practice for yourself."

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