Introduction:
There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune diseases known to scientists and it affects about 4% of the entire global population. By knowing the important details about this condition, you can have an easier time managing it. In this article, we will elaborate on the topic of autoimmune diseases, along with some common symptoms and managing tips.
What are autoimmune diseases?
An autoimmune disease is a medical condition where your body’s natural defense mechanism (the immune system) fails to differentiate between normal and foreign cells. This causes it to erroneously attack and damage the healthy tissues in your body, causing a series of health issues. Scientists recognize over 80 different types of autoimmune diseases and each of them affects a specific part of the body. Some common examples include lupus, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid diseases, etc. The exact cause behind the development of autoimmune diseases is still unknown, while its associated conditions are generally lifelong.
What are the symptoms of autoimmune diseases?
The symptoms of autoimmune diseases are specific to the disease type. For example, if this disorder affects the digestive system, then you may experience symptoms like weight loss, abdominal bloating, missed menstrual periods, diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, etc. However, there are some symptoms that many different autoimmune disease types have in common, like:
- Swollen glands
- Skin problems
- Persistent fever
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Digestive problems
What treatments are available for autoimmune diseases?
Even though autoimmune diseases do not have a total cure available, doctors can recommend various forms of treatments in order to help you manage the symptoms. Depending upon the disease type and its symptoms, your doctor will prescribe medications, which may include things like painkillers, corticosteroids, rash creams, insulin injections, and anti-inflammatories. Apart from these, some other forms of available treatment that you can consider are physical therapy, alternative medicines, etc.
What are the risk factors of autoimmune diseases?
There are some factors that may play a role in increasing your risk of getting an autoimmune disease. This list includes:
- Genetics
- Obesity
- Certain types of medications
- Smoking habits
- Toxin exposure
- Infections
Is it possible to lead a normal life with an autoimmune disease?
Yes, it is possible to lead a healthy life and carry on with your day-to-day activities with an autoimmune disease. The symptoms of autoimmune diseases can create several hurdles and difficulties in life. However, by having the right mindset and following your doctor’s prescribed treatment methods, you can manage these symptoms to great extents. This will allow you to lead your usual life and enjoy it freely.
Conclusion:
Understanding autoimmune diseases can be a bit challenging, due to the wide range of disease types, symptoms, and minor available information about their exact cause. However, learning more about this subject will give you tons of insights, which can be very helpful in managing its symptoms. Hence, if you are suffering from this kind of health condition, make sure to seek professional medical care as soon as possible.
