Introduction
The immune system serves the body as the primary defense against pathogens, assisting in the prevention of infection and illness. However, in certain cases, the immune system becomes errant, and the body begins to attack itself. Conditions associated with this malfunction of the immune system are known as autoimmune diseases.
The number of recognized autoimmune diseases is constantly growing, currently standing at over 80. Autoimmune diseases may affect the skin and all systems and organs of the body including the digestive, endocrine, muscular and nervous systems, and the joints. The severity and prognosis of autoimmune diseases is highly variable, with some being chronic and requiring constant medical care.
Autoimmune diseases are highly individualistic, and as a result they present a variety of symptoms. Most, however, are associated with the same systemic types of symptoms such as fatigue, recurrent inflammation, and fever..
# Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases
Some of the common symptoms that may present in the various types of autoimmune diseases include:
- – Fatigue
- – Pain and inflammation in the joints
- – Muscle pain
- – Rash
- – Fever
- – Swollen lymph nodes
- – Changes in gut health
- – Hair loss
- – Paraesthesia
- – Intolerance to changes in temperature
- – Impaired memory
- – Slow healing
- – Unintended weight changes
Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases
1. Rheumatoid Arthritis
**Affected Area:** Joints
This is a form of arthritis that involves the immune system and attacks the joints.
Symptoms:
- – Joint pain with swelling
- – Stiffness for over 30 minutes after waking
- – Joints may feel warm or be tender
- – Lack of energy
- – Joints may not move as well as before
- – May have an elevated body temperature
- – Joints may be abnormally shaped
2. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus)
**Affected Areas:** Many parts of the body including the skin, joints, intestines, kidneys, heart
Lupus is a disease that can inflame and damage many parts of the body.
Symptoms:
- – Lack of energy
- – Pain in joints
- – Rash on the face that looks like a butterfly
- – Painful or burning joints
- – Elevated body temperature
- – Loss of hair
- – Pain in the chest
- – Problems with the kidneys
- – Pain in the head
3. Type 1 Diabetes
**Affected Areas:** Pancreas
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Symptoms:
- – Thirsty a lot
- – Have to urinate a lot
- – Very hungry
- – Lose weight for no reason
- – Tired
- – Can’t see well
- – Wounds take a long time to heal
4. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
**Affected Areas:** Brain and spinal cord
Multiple sclerosis occurs when the immune system attacks the covering of the nerves.
Symptoms:
- – Feel numb or have a tingling sensation
- – Can’t see well
- – Weak muscles
- – Hard to keep balance
- – Lack of energy
- – Hard to move
- – Can’t remember well
- – Muscles feel tight
5. Psoriasis
**Affected Areas:** Skin
Psoriasis speeds up skin cell production, causing immune system inflammation of the skin.
Symptoms:
- – Red patches on skin
- – Thick, scaly skin areas
- – Itching
- – Dry or cracked skin
- – Changes in nails
- – Joint pain for some people
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# 6. Psoriatic Arthritis
**Affected Areas:** Skin and joints
This condition occurs in people who already have psoriasis and affects the joints.
### Symptoms:
- – Joint pain
- – Swollen fingers and/or toes
- – Stiffness in the morning
- – Changes in nails
- – Fatigue
- – Limitation in movement
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7. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
**Affected Areas:** Digestive system
IBD is an umbrella term for conditions like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.
Symptoms:
- – Pain in the abdomen
- – Diarrhea that is not going away
- – Stools that are bloody
- – Losing weight
- – Not feeling energetic
- – Stomach not feeling hungry
- – Having fever
8. Crohn’s Disease
**Affected Areas:** Digestion
This disease causes inflammation that can occur anywhere in the digestive tract.
Symptoms:
- – Painful and crampy feelings in the abdomen
- – Diarrhea that is not going away
- – Losing weight and not feeling energetic
- – Sores in the mouth
- – Having fever
- – Not feeling hungry
9. Ulcerative Colitis
**Affected Areas:** Colon and rectum
This disease causes inflammation in the large intestines and creates ulcers.
Symptoms:
- – Diarrhea that is bloody
- – Pain in the abdomen
- – Having to go to the bathroom suddenly and frequently
- – Losing weight and not feeling energetic
10. Pain in the rectum
Symptoms:
- – Fatigue
- – Weight gain
- – Sensitivity to cold
- – Dry skin
- – Hair loss
- – Depression
- – Constipation
- – Low heart rate
11. Graves’ Disease
**Affected Areas:** Thyroid gland
Graves’ Disease makes the thyroid gland hyperactive.
Symptoms:
- – Weight Loss
- – Fast heart rate
- – Nervousness
- – Increased sweating
- – Tremors
- – Sensitivity to heat
- – Insomnia
- – Protrusion of Eyes
12. Celiac Disease
**Affected Areas:** Small intestine
This disease damages the small intestine and causes an immune response to gluten.
Symptoms:
- – Constipation
- – Increased gas and bloating
- – Pain in the abdomen
- – Loss of weight
- – Tiredness
- – Deficiencies in nutrients
- – Rash that occurs on the skin
13. Sjögren’s Syndrome
**Affected Areas:** Eyes and mouth
This syndrome affects the glands that produce moisture.
Symptoms:
- – Eyes without moisture
- – Dry mouth
- – Hard to swallow
- – Pain in the joints
- – Tiredness
- – Problems with teeth and gums
14. Vasculitis
**Affected Areas:** Blood vessels
This condition causes blood vessels to become inflamed and restrict the flow of blood.
Symptoms:
- – Fever
- – Tiredness
- – Rashes on the skin
- – Pain in the muscles
- – Symptoms that alternate with nerves and organs
15. Addison’s Disease
**Affected Areas:** Adrenal glands
This disease occurs when the adrenal glands are underactive.
Symptoms:
- – Extreme tiredness
- – Loss of weight
- – Low blood pressure
- – Skin becomes darker
- – Craving for more salt
- – Pain in the abdomen
- – Weakness
16. Myasthenia Gravis
**Affected Areas:** Nerves and muscles
This disease affects the junctions between nerves and muscles.
Symptoms:
- – Muscle weakness
- – Droopy eyelids
- – Double vision
- – Difficulty swallowing
- – Problems with speech
- – Post activity fatigue
17. Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)
**Affected Areas:** Skin and connective tissues
Scleroderma involves the hardening and tightening of skin and can involve the internal organs.
Symptoms:
- – Skin is hardened and thick
- – Skin is hardened and tight on the fingers.
- – Pain in the joints
- – Problems with the digestive system
- – Broadly, can cause shortness of breath
18. Dermatomyositis
**Affected Areas:** Muscle and skin
Dermatomyositis involves the inflammation of muscle and skin.
Symptoms:
- – Weakness of muscle
- – Rash on skin
- – Cannot easily climb stairs
- – Muscle pain
- – Fatigue
- – Cannot lift things easily
19. Pernicious Anemia
**Affected Areas:** Blood and B12 Vitamin absorption
Pernicious anemia involves the body’s B12 deficiency.
Symptoms:
- – Fatigue
- – Weakness
- – Skin is pale
- – Numbness and tingling
- – Loss of memory
- – Dizziness
20. Alopecia Areata
**Affected Areas:** Hair follicles
Alopecia areata means the body attacks hair follicles.
Symptoms:
- – Hair loss in patches
- – Hair is thin
- – Lose eyelashes and eyebrows
- – Changes in nails
21. Autoimmune Hepatitis
**Affected Areas:** Liver
Your body attacks the liver, causing autoimmune hepatitis.
Symptoms:
- – Fatigue
- – Pain and discomfort in the abdomen
- – Skin and eyes turn yellow
- – Pain in the joints
- – Urine is dark
- – No appetite
22. Behçet’s Disease
**Affected Areas:** Blood vessels and immune system
Behçet’s disease involves inflammation in the entire body..
Symptoms:
- – Ulcers in mouth
- – Ulcers in genital area
- – Inflammation in the eyes
- – Lesions in the skin
- – Pain in joints
23. Guillain-Barré Syndrome
**Affected Areas:** Nervous system
This is a rare chronic disorder that causes systemic inflammation and is an autoimmune disease that targets the nervous system and causes weakness.
Symptoms:
- – Sensation of tingling
- – Weakness of muscles
- – Difficulty in ambulation
- – Loss of reflexes
- – Paralysis (in extreme cases)
# 24. Autoimmune Vasculitis Disorders
This includes:
- – Giant cell arteritis
- – Kawasaki disease
- – Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Symptoms:
- – Fever
- – Pain in the head
- – Exhaustion
- – Changes to the skin
- – Problems with various organs
When to See a Doctor
You should seek medical attention if you have:
- – Fatigue that lasts a long time and has no obvious cause
- – Joint pain or swelling that lasts a long time
- – Sudden skin changes
- – Frequent problems with digestion
- – Unexplained fluctuations in your weight
- – Numbness or weakness
Symptoms of these conditions should be treated as urgent and as soon as possible. For the most part, autoimmune diseases are difficult to treat and manageable at best but are most responsive to early diagnosis.
Conclusion
Autoimmune diseases are disorders characterized by the immune system targeting the body. Though there are multiple autoimmune disorders, they have overlapping symptoms of inflammation, fatigue, pain, and disturbed body functions.
A wide range of tests and evaluations are needed to diagnose these disorders. Even though most autoimmune diseases are chronic, treatments to control the symptoms and inflammation are available and improve the quality of life.
In order to improve the quality of life and manage sustained chronic conditions, it is best to address the symptoms of these disorders as early as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
- What is an autoimmune disorder?
An autoimmune disorder occurs when the body attacks itself.
- How many autoimmune disorders are there?
80 disorders are classified under autoimmune disorders.
- What are the most common autoimmune disorders?
Common autoimmune disorders include rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes as well as lupus, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and Hashimoto’s disease.
- Are there cures for autoimmune disorders?
Most autoimmune disorders are not curable. There are treatment options that manage the symptoms and the inflammation.
- Is there a hereditary component to autoimmune disorders?
Some autoimmune disorders can run in families, but the environment may also contribute to the disorder.
- Who is more likely to get autoimmune disorders?
Autoimmune disorders can affect anyone but there are disorders that are more prevalent in women as well as in people with a family history of autoimmune disorders.
- How are autoimmune disorders diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on the results of a physical exam and reported medical history as well as the results of lab tests.
- How does diet affect autoimmune disorders?
While a healthy diet can improve general well being, autoimmune disorders require treatment as prescribed.
- Is there a connection between autoimmune disorders and fatigue?
Most autoimmune disorders have fatigue as a common symptom.
- Which physician specializes in the treatment of autoimmune disorders?
Treatment of autoimmune disorders may require a rheumatologist as well as an endocrinologist, neurologist, or gastroenterologist, depending on the disorder.
