Autoimmune disease can be difficult to spot if you don’t know what to look for. A lot of our patients struggled with symptoms for a long time before finally figuring out what was causing them. Others develop autoimmune disease suddenly but don’t recognize it.
If you have autoimmune disease, it’s important to find out right away so you can start treating it. Letting autoimmune disease silently run rampant for too long can severely affect the systems it impacts, increase your chances of receiving a the wrong prescription, and increase your risk of developing worsening conditions.
The signs of autoimmune disease are more common than you think, and you may be surprised that these symptoms point toward issues with your immune system. If you have any of these symptoms that endure for long periods of time or combine with other symptoms, make sure to seek help right away.
You’ll also notice that many of the diseases mentioned pop up in multiple symptom categories. A dysregulated immune system will likely attack multiple systems throughout your body. If you feel that you have symptoms that stretch across multiple systems, this is another important indicator that may point toward autoimmune disease.
1. Skin conditions
Autoimmune disease occurs when your immune system becomes confused and begins attacking your body’s cells. One of the biggest ways this manifest is through your skin.
Did you know that eczema is more than just dry skin? It’s your immune system working against your body to create patches of dry, flakey skin… and this isn’t the only skin condition that arises from autoimmune disease.
Other autoimmune diseases that can cause skin issues include lupus, psoriasis, herpes, and vitiligo. This is by no means an exhaustive list, there are many more disorders that can lead to autoimmune disease manifestations of the skin.
Some of the symptoms to look out for that point toward autoimmune disease include plaques, blisters, inflammation, swelling, scaly skin, rashes, and open sores. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms without a clear cause, come in right away to receive a diagnosis.
Good Needles offers a Facial Rejuvenation Experience that can help renew your skin while addressing your autoimmune disease at the same time. This will help you overcome your skin conditions while improving the rest of your health.
2. Digestive problems
Another common sign of autoimmune disease includes persistent digestive problems without clear cause. This occurs when your immune system attacks your bowel, stomach, intestines, or other digestive organs.
You’ve probably heard of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but did you know it’s an autoimmune disorder? Other common autoimmune diseases that affect your digestive tract include celiac disease, Hashimoto’s disease, and lupus.
If you’re experiencing recurring constipation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, or bloating, your immune system may be at the root. Many people go through these symptoms without understanding why. They need a diagnosis to understand how to begin healing their immune system and gut.
3. Swollen glands
Swollen glands are typically a sign of a sluggish or overactive thyroid, which holds a complex relationship with your immune system. Your thyroid hormones can activate immune system cells, which can become hyperactive with a dysfunctional thyroid.
One of the most common autoimmune diseases that affects your thyroid is Graves’ disease. Because your thyroid influences your energy and similar functions, you may experience anxiety, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, elevated heart rate, and difficulty sleeping. Other diseases that affect your thyroid include Hashimoto’s disease, thyroiditis and Still’s disease.
Swollen glands can point toward other issues besides autoimmune disease, so be careful to seek the assistance of a healthcare provider when assessing the cause of your symptoms.
4. Joint pain and swelling
Another common sign of autoimmune disease is joint pain and swelling, especially if it doesn’t have a clear cause. This occurs when your immune system attacks your joints, triggering inflammation and leading to pain and swelling. This inflammation can eventually damage your cartilage, bones, heart, and lungs as well.
The most common autoimmune disease associated with joint pain is Rheumatoid arthritis, whose risk factors include family history, smoking, obesity, infections, and sex. Other autoimmune diseases that can cause joint pain include lupus, gout, and diabetes.
5. Fatigue
Constantly feeling tired isn’t normal, and it can even point toward an autoimmune disease. Most of the conditions listed above can include fatigue, so make sure to take note if you’ve experienced other symptoms on this list in addition to fatigue.
The inflammation caused by autoimmune disease causes fatigue due to the high amounts of stress on your body. Your body will expend large amounts of energy trying to manage the inflammation, leaving you feeling tired and fatigued.
6. Other common signs
Other common signs of autoimmune disease largely involve your nervous system. If you often feel dizzy, numbness and tingling, fever, or nervousness with other symptoms, this may point toward an autoimmune disease.
Other symptoms include brittle hair and hair loss or unexplained weight gain. Make sure to take note of any changes you can’t figure out the cause of… you may have a more serious health condition that needs attention.
Good Needles has high success rates in helping people with autoimmune disease treat their condition and manage their symptoms. We also offer health solutions that prevent autoimmune disease from forming. Tina Belt, L.Ac., can diagnose your problem and help you come up with a plan for feeling better and preserving your health. Make an appointment to find out if you struggle with an autoimmune disease and receive a specialized plan to overcome your symptoms.
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