Autoimmune diseases affect many parts of the body. Aside from the nervous system, the immune system is the body’s most complex system, made up of your digestive system, skin, tonsils, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and the thin skin on the inside of your nose, throat, and genitals. All of these tissues, organs, and cells work together to keep your entire body healthy.
Symptoms Of Autoimmune Disease
Low Blood Sugar
A sign of adrenal fatigue, common in many autoimmune disorders.
Blood Pressure Changes
Most people have low blood pressure, though some have high blood pressure. Feelings or dizziness or vertigo, fainting, palpitations and fluctuations in heart rate.
Muscle and Joint Pain
Whether it be general pain, burning, aching and soreness in the muscles or joint pain or aches, this symptom can also be found in almost every autoimmune disease.
Swollen Glands
These can be all over the body, but especially in the throat area, under the arms, and at the top of the legs in the groin area.
Susceptibility to Infections
Autoimmune disease symptoms include frequent colds, bladder infections, ear infections, sore throat, sinus problems and yeast infections are common, with a slower recovery time, for people with autoimmunity.
Extreme Fatigue
The kind of fatigue that is not alleviated by rest. This is experienced almost universally by autoimmune disease sufferers.
Memory Problems
Often known as “brain fog”, is a common autoimmune disease symptom that appears in most conditions.
Inflammation
Inflammation is a part of every autoimmune disorder. The warning sign of pain, especially when chronic, is a sign that something needs immediate attention.
Allergies
Many people with autoimmune disorders have numerous extreme food, chemical and environmental allergies and sensitivities.
At their core, they have one thing in common: an out-of-control immune response, linked with systemic inflammation.
Digestive Problems
Abdominal pain, bloating, tenderness, heartburn, cramps, constipation, diarrhea and excessive gas (looks like you’re three months pregnant) reflect a condition known as “leaky gut syndrome”, common with many autoimmune diseases.
Thyroid Problems
Many people have hypothyroidism, though some are hyperthyroid. Often this does not show up on a typical thyroid test. Can manifest as low body temperature and excessive hair loss.
Pr-menstrual Syndrome
Autoimmune disease symptoms often increase around the menstrual cycle. Extreme bloating, painful cramps, heavy bleeding and irregular cycle are common.
The good news is that by reducing inflammation, you CAN work your way down the autoimmune spectrum and reverse your condition! By understanding the factors that are contributing to your inflammation, you can get to the root cause of your autoimmunity and start leading your best life. In medicine we are mostly taught to diagnose disease by symptoms, NOT by their underlying cause.
At their core, they have one thing in common: an out-of-control immune response, linked with systemic inflammation. The right diet can help ease pain and heal autoimmune diseases. In general, avoid caffeine, alcohol, sugar, grains, dairy and red meat, and focus on fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and fish.
