Ordinarily, the immune system protects the body from foreign, illness-causing cells. However, autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s defense system begins mistakenly attacking healthy cells instead. There are over 80 types of known autoimmune diseases, and they can appear in almost every part of the body. Therefore, each disease comes with its own unique symptoms, but there is often an overlap. The body tends to react a certain way when an autoimmune disease is present, no matter where it’s based. If you are experiencing multiple signs that won’t go away, book an appointment with a medical professional.
Fatigue
There are different types of exhaustion, but fatigue is unlike sleep deprivation, jet lag, or post-exercise sluggishness. Fatigue, in this case, feels like the flu without the sinus issues. Sleep doesn’t help much, and you may have low energy, difficulty concentrating, and aches around muscles and joints. Keep in mind, fatigue is a common symptom for many health issues and poor lifestyle habits.
Mild fever
Fever is a sign of an immune system overworking, says WebMD. People are generally familiar with fevers as their bodies fight off a viral or bacterial infection. They even notice warmer skin around a healing wound. However, fevers can indicate the beginning of a flare-up, which is defined as a sudden outburst or worsening of symptoms from an autoimmune condition.
Headaches
Headaches can occur for a number of reasons, including dehydration, stress, sleep deprivation, poor posture, caffeine use, caffeine withdrawal, etc. But headaches can also be a symptom of a number of autoimmune disorders, according to a 2021 review. Examples include multiple sclerosis (a degenerative disorder that causes neurological and physical dysfunction), and lupus, which affects the joints, skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, and nervous system.
Skin issues
Many signs of illness involve the skin, which is the body’s first barrier against foreign bacteria. Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition where the immune system causes patches of itchy, discolored skin. Lupus is known for causing a butterfly-shaped rash across the face, according to Very Well Health. Skin-related symptoms of autoimmune conditions also include mouth sores, bruise-like spots, ulcers, hives with blisters, swelling, and chronic itching.
Digestive issues
Certain conditions specifically affect the digestive system, such as celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. But the gut is often affected when other body parts are ill, says a review in the journal Maedica. This can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, changes in appetite, bloating, nausea, and vomiting.
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Hair loss
Hair loss is a symptom that can feel devastating for many individuals. People commonly experience it from stress, aging, and genetics. However, it can come with conditions like hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and scleroderma, according to GoodRX. Alopecia areata (which causes bald spots on the head and body) and alopecia totalis (which causes total hair loss) are two autoimmune disorders that specifically attack hair.
Unexplained weight change
Different autoimmune conditions can lead to unintentional weight loss or weight gain for a number of reasons, says the journal Immunological Disorders and Immunotherapy. For one, many are associated with chronic inflammation, which can disrupt the metabolism and interfere with hunger cues, leading to increased appetite. More specifically, diseases that affect the thyroid, which plays a vital role with regulating metabolism (like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease) can cause weight gain or loss.
Joint issues
Multiple autoimmune disorders specifically target the joints. Others affect them indirectly. Signs include joint pain, weakness, stiffness, swelling, and inflammation. However, the affected areas can vary. For instance, polymyalgia rheumatica tends to affect the neck, shoulders, arms, or hips; meanwhile rheumatoid arthritis tends to appear in the wrists, fingers, ankles, feet, and knees.
How to diagnose autoimmune symptoms
It’s often difficult to be diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, explains Ana-Maria Orbai, M.D., M.H.S., a rheumatologist at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center. “It’s not black or white,” she says. “There’s usually no single test to diagnose autoimmune disease. You have to have certain symptoms combined with specific blood markers and in some cases, even a tissue biopsy. It’s not just one factor.” Because these symptoms are vague, they can come from other common conditions that are generally tested for first.
Don’t downplay autoimmune symptoms
Sometimes it takes multiple visits to find the right diagnosis. Orbai recommends seeking treatment when you notice new symptoms. “If you’ve been healthy and suddenly you feel fatigue or joint stiffness, don’t downplay that,” she says. “Telling your doctor helps him or her to look closer at your symptoms and run tests to either identify or rule out autoimmune disease.” Ask for a referral to a specialist who focuses on your worst symptoms, advises MedlinePlus. Before the appointment, organize notes about your medical family history and create a symptoms log to track their frequency, severity, and management.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is for information only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about your medical condition and/or current medication. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here.
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