There are more than 100 distinct autoimmune diseases, each affecting body systems differently. Many cause debilitating symptoms that require extensive treatment and therapeutic interventions. Understanding how different diseases attack the body can provide insight into proper therapeutic approaches for symptom relief.
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Common Autoimmune Diseases and Their Symptoms
Each disease carries a unique set of symptoms. Additionally, because they turn the body against itself, every patient may have a slightly different experience. Looking at some of the most commonly diagnosed disorders lets you get an idea of each one’s symptoms.
Psoriasis
The most common symptom of psoriasis is flaky, itchy, or scaly skin patches. These are known as plaques. They happen as an inflammatory response that triggers the body to overproduce certain skin cells. It often appears on the scalp and nails. Psoriasis can also develop into a painful condition known as psoriatic arthritis.
Crohn’s Disease
Patients with Crohn’s disease develop an immune response in the digestive tract, most often in the small intestine. It leads to abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, and bloating. Left untreated, Crohn’s can cause dehydration and malnutrition.
Multiple Sclerosis
MS is an increasingly common condition where the body attacks certain structures in the brain called myelin. The loss of myelin is a serious brain Injury that can have debilitating effects. Common symptoms associated with MS include fatigue, numbness and tingling, limb weakness, and cognitive impairment. It can also affect vision, hearing, and the ability to smell.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Unlike other types of arthritis caused by injury or joint wear, RA results from an inflammatory immune response. It causes extreme pain and swelling in joints. According to the CDC, RA most commonly targets the knees, wrists, and hands.
Rheumatoid arthritis will often affect more than one joint at a time since it is a systemic disease. Additionally, as the disease progresses, it leads to significant damage to affected joints.
Lupus
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a serious disorder that attacks multiple body systems simultaneously. Although anyone can develop lupus, it affects more women than men and appears in higher percentages in non-white U.S. populations.
Lupus patients typically experience periods of exacerbated symptoms, known as flares, with periods of mild symptoms in between. Many people with lupus experience a butterfly rash across their noses and cheeks. Other common symptoms associated with the disease include:
- Painful or difficult breathing
- Swelling
- Arthritis and painful, swollen joints
- Extreme fatigue
- Sun sensitivity
- Swelling around the eyes
Type 1 Diabetes
Patients with type 1 diabetes are unable to produce insulin. This is believed to be due to an immune response that destroys special cells within the pancreas. Patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes must take insulin through injections or a pump to control blood sugar levels. Common symptoms include frequent urination, sores that do not heal, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
How Autoimmune Diseases Affect the Body
The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association reports that more than 50 million Americans are affected by such disorders. That’s one in every five people in the United States. While each one of those individuals will have a unique experience with their disease, they all share one thing in common: their bodies have turned against themselves.
Autoimmune diseases trigger a faulty immune response in the body that tells the immune system to attack otherwise healthy cells. The response can target a specific set of cells, such as with psoriasis, or it can be further reaching. Furthermore, it can have severe consequences on the body over time. For example, lupus often leads to multiple organ failure as the body continually attacks itself.
Anyone diagnosed with an immune disorder should seek immediate and continued care. Since they cannot be cured, symptom management to improve quality of life and medications to slow disease progression are often the best approach. That is why knowing what symptoms to look out for can help patients receive an early diagnosis and treatment plan.
