WHAT ARE AUTO IMMUNE DISEASES

The body's immune system is designed to fight infection. Occasionally, the body views itself as an infection and attacks itself. Auto Immune diseases are when the body attacks itself. There are several different autoimmune diseases. Among these are Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (underactive thyroid), and Graves' disease (overactive thyroid).

Symptoms of Auto Immune Diseases vary depending on the disease. Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis include; trouble with coordination, balance, speaking, and walking, occasional paralysis, numbness in the arms, hands, legs and feet, and tremors. Symptoms of Lupus include; painful and swollen joints, damage to the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain , sensitivity to the sun, and a characteristic "butterfly" rash across the nose and cheeks. Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) include; muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite with associated weight loss, deformed joints and in extreme cases the RA patient may become bed-ridden. Symptoms of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis include; tiredness, muscle weakness and cramps, constipation, dry hair, depression, tough skin, sensitivity to cold, weight gain. Symptoms of Graves' disease include; irritability insomnia, heat sensitivity, sweating, weight loss, fine brittle hair, weakness in your muscles, and shaky hands.

Some of these symptoms seem more significant than others, some are so common it would be difficult to tell if you have one of the autoimmune diseases or not. This is why it is very important to see a health care professional if you believe you may have one of the autoimmune diseases. A health care professional will order tests to determine if you indeed have an autoimmune disease and if so which one of the autoimmune diseases you have.

Autoimmune diseases seem scary, but there are treatments. Symptoms can be minimized with a healthy lifestyle and proper medication.