Autoimmune diseases are caused in the body when our immunity system treats certain parts of our own body as foreign and attacks them. The disease has over 80 manifestations and is one of the top reasons for worldwide deaths. The symptoms for all autoimmune diseases are mostly the same. The difficulty is that the symptoms could very well be associated with another illness which is not autoimmune.
However, one must always be alert. Here are 10 signs to help you identify and be aware of your body better, so that you can fight against autoimmune diseases:
1. Reduced attention span, headaches, and foggy memory
All of the above three can be attributed to sleeplessness, anxiety, stress, and so on, as well, but these can be caused by autoimmune diseases like anemia or lupus too.
2. Persistent skin problems
Butterfly rashes, acne, eczema, dermatitis, etc., are all skin problems which make it impossible for the skin to breathe, feel clean, or look great. While the causes of these problems could also lie elsewhere, persistent issues should be looked into by a doctor in order to be checked for hemolytic anemia, scleroderma, psoriasis, and other disorders.
3. Chronic asthma
Although asthma, whether allergic or chronic, has not been yet surely been classified as an autoimmune disease, breathing issues can still point towards a dysfunction in the immunity system, according to ongoing research.
4. Continued lethargy or hyperactivity
Fatigue and exhaustion are common to all autoimmune diseases. It is one of the first symptoms of the same. If any/all activities leave you drained and devoid of energy, and you keep feeling tired despite being well rested, you should consult your doctor and seek professional medical help to identify any autoimmune diseases being present.
5. Muscular discomfort
If you experience regular muscle pains or stiffness, it can make regular life difficult. However, these symptoms shouldn’t be taken lightly as they can also be caused by rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune hepatitis, psoriasis, Hashimoto’s disease, and so on.
6. Bowel movement problems
Issues relating to the digestive system can be very taxing on the body. Unhealthy food habits are a big cause for the same, but problems like stomach cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation can also be caused by autoimmune diseases like ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, and thyroid disorders.
7. Sudden weight fluctuations
The autoimmune diseases often first attack the thyroid gland which releases thyroxin, a hormone that regulates body weight. A disproportionate amount of it being released due to the malfunctioning of the thyroid gland could be the cause for fluctuations in weight.
8. Sensations, or the lack of thereof, in hands and feet
Although numbness or pins and needles feeling are caused due to the interrupted flow of blood to the hands and feet, they could sometimes be indicative of something more serious than we anticipate. Visit your doctor, if these seemingly harmless symptoms persist.
9. Loss of hair
Hair fall can be the result of several lifestyle or genetic issues, but if the immunity system attacks the follicles of hair, we experience severe hair loss. It could be the head or any part of our body.
10. Chronic fever
We often tend to ignore minor fevers, but they could be indicative of our body’s immunity system turning on its own self. Make sure you see your doctor if the fevers are unexplained.
A lot of these symptoms are difficult to link to autoimmune diseases. There is absolutely no reason to worry about even if you already are experiencing any of the said symptoms. Just visit a doctor as soon as you notice an anomaly and get yourself checked!