Written by: Nataliya R. Nawaz, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Perhaps the most frustrating part about figuring out if you have an autoimmune disease is that each has its own set of symptoms, which can present differently in different individuals. This makes autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and scleroderma often challenging to diagnose.
But what exactly is an autoimmune disease?
The most vital purpose of our immune system is to fight off pathogens (viruses and bacteria) and protect us from disease. However, if you suffer from an autoimmune disease, rather than fighting off germs, your immune system attacks healthy tissue in your body by mistake. Consequently, you may develop several debilitating symptoms related to the skin, joints, nervous system, muscles, blood (vessels), and various organs in your body.
However, there are several telltale signs that, when present, increase the possibility that you may have an autoimmune disease.
What Causes Autoimmune Disease?
Autoimmune diseases are often hereditary. If someone in your family suffers from an autoimmune disease, it is possible to carry the autoimmune disease “gene” for many years before symptoms occur. Usually, an external trigger must be present for the gene to manifest. Some external factors include a viral infection, certain medications, chronic stress, a traumatic event, childbirth, and even exposure to certain environmental toxins.
Diagnosing an Autoimmune Disease
Diagnosing an autoimmune disease can be tricky. Discerning between autoimmune disease and other conditions often takes time, as many symptoms of autoimmunity can also present in other common ailments. Often, an autoimmune disease can go undiagnosed for years or even misdiagnosed. If you suffer from autoimmunity, you may not realize it until the symptoms become more severe and begin regularly interfering with everyday activities. Other times, you may go to the doctor with a list of symptoms only to be told that your tests are normal and nothing is wrong.
A diagnosis often requires the involvement of a specialist, such as a rheumatologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, dermatologist, or immunologist, who can conduct several tests to rule out or diagnose autoimmune disease. Some of these tests include but are not limited to antinuclear antibody (ANA) tests, a comprehensive metabolic panel, C-reactive protein (CRP), urinalysis, and complete body count (CBC) with white blood cells (WBC) differential. The advantage of working with a specialist is their ability to differentiate between various types of autoimmune conditions with greater accuracy.
12 Signs You May Have an Autoimmune Disease
1. You have been to the doctor and told you’re okay, but you still experience unexplained symptoms.
Perhaps you’ve visited the doctor’s office several times with the same obscure and difficult-to-pinpoint symptoms, but you have been told that your tests are normal and nothing is wrong with you. Many patients with autoimmunity feel dismissed and misunderstood long before finally receiving a proper diagnosis.
2. Low vitamin D serum levels and low iron levels.
The scientific community has difficulty deciding whether low vitamin D levels cause autoimmune disease or are a result of it. This “chicken and egg” argument lends itself to several interpretations. But one thing is for certain. Studies show that low vitamin D levels exist in almost all autoimmune disease cases. Thus, vitamin D supplementation is vital to controlling the disease.
Similarly, low iron serum levels or iron-deficiency anemia not caused by pregnancy is often also associated with autoimmunity, mainly systemic lupus erythematosus. The bottom line is to get both levels checked and supplement when necessary.
3. Extreme chronic fatigue
You may be quick to dismiss your fatigue as a result of occasional poor sleep or more stress at work. However, chronic and extreme fatigue, even after a restful night, is a cause for concern and can indicate the presence of an autoimmune condition.
4. Unexplained body aches and pains
Do you feel unusually stiff and achy despite not engaging in high-intensity exercise or physical work? Do your joints hurt and swell frequently? Do you often experience sore muscles or nerve pain anywhere in your body, including the face? These symptoms, especially when present for no apparent reason, are highly indicative of an autoimmune condition.
5. Rapid hair loss
Many autoimmune conditions are associated with thinning hair. However, experiencing rapid and significant hair loss in a matter of weeks warrants an urgent visit to the doctor as this may indicate the triggering of an autoimmune disease.
6. Heat or cold Intolerance and uncontrollable weight loss or gain.
Have you noticed that when in a group of people, you always feel uncomfortably cold while everyone else seems fine? Are you gaining weight without having changed your eating habits or experiencing constipation? Adversely, do you frequently feel extremely hot, nauseous, and ill while also uncontrollably losing weight? These may indicate an endocrine problem common in individuals with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Grave’s disease.
7. New symptoms postpartum that worsen over time.
Childbirth is a traumatic experience for the body and can sometimes trigger a dormant autoimmune disease, especially if you already have the gene. If you feel any of the symptoms mentioned above postpartum, particularly within eight or more weeks since childbirth, perhaps it is time to ask your OBGYN for some tests to rule out autoimmune disease.
8. Brain fog
Brain fog is a prevalent symptom of several autoimmune conditions and warrants a trip to the doctor’s office. This is particularly true if you have previously had no problems focusing on a project at work but now find yourself unable to gather your thoughts. If you forget things frequently, roaming around your home or office trying to figure out what to do next, or your mind feels like scrambled eggs, this may indicate autoimmunity.
9. New skin problems
Many autoimmune conditions, such as psoriasis, lupus, lichen planopilaris, Sjogren’s syndrome, celiac disease, and scleroderma, cause significant skin problems. You may notice random rashes and burning sensations on your body, mouth, or scalp. Make an appointment with a dermatologist and ask for a biopsy of the lesions to determine their cause.
10. Digestive issues
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Chron’s disease and ulcerative colitis are both on the rise. They have earned quite a reputation, as commercials for their treatment frequently appear on our TV screens. According to experts, the western diet, packed with processed foods, is partially to blame. Suppose you experience frequent digestive problems, bloating, diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain accompanied by blood in the stool, anemia, or certain nutrient deficiencies. In that case, it is time to see the gastroenterologist to rule out IBD.
11. Frequent, unexplained fevers
Several autoimmune conditions cause low-grade fevers not otherwise explained by viral or bacterial infections. Rheumatic fever, for instance, is an inflammatory response that may occur after an infection with group A Streptococcus bacteria. A low-grade fever is also indicative of the onset of a lupus flare.
12. Anxiety and depression
Research shows that individuals with autoimmune diseases are 45 percent more likely to have anxiety or depression. Systemic lupus erythematosus, for instance, is known to be accompanied by neuropsychiatric symptoms. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Grave’s disease are also frequently associated with anxiety, depression, and brain fog. If you feel highly anxious about things you used to do with ease or no longer feel joy doing things you used to love, consider asking your doctor to test for autoimmunity.
What to Do if You Suspect You Have an Autoimmune Disease
If you suspect you may have an autoimmune disease, make an appointment with your primary care physician. Communicate your symptoms with her and ask for an ANA, a CBC, or any other test available. If your ANA comes back positive, ask to make an appointment with a specialist. The specialist will order more tests and not only be able to diagnose the disease but also treat it.
What to Do if You Have Been Diagnosed with an Autoimmune Disease
The most important thing to do after diagnosis is to take time to learn everything there is to know about your disease. Focus on authoritative resources such as studies, articles published in scientific journals, and prominent magazines. The more you know about your disease and treatment options, the better your chance of getting the proper treatment. Have an honest, open, and confident discussion with your doctor about the most appropriate treatment plan for you. Advocate for yourself; do not be afraid to say what you need to ensure the most personalized approach to your disease.
Additionally, be prepared to make lifestyle changes to ensure the best outcome for your disease. New research shows that eliminating certain foods from your diet can significantly reduce disease flares and improve your overall ability to control your symptoms. Foods commonly associated with intolerances, digestive issues, and autoimmune flares include gluten, dairy, soy, and garlic, to name a few. Incorporating exercise and recovery techniques into your daily routine ensures the health and strength of muscles, bones, and ligaments commonly affected by autoimmune disease. Studies show that short-duration, high-intensity resistance training protocols help people with rheumatoid arthritis minimize joint inflammation and reverse RA-related muscle loss. This training method also helps people with lupus improve muscle tone and strength.
Furthermore, take the time to rest, destress, sleep, meditate, and engage in activities you enjoy. Ask for help. Do not feel guilty if exhaustion or pain has caused you to miss out on work or chores. Your health and well-being come first.
Finally, and most importantly, do not lose hope. Millions of individuals with autoimmune diseases take an active role in improving their quality of life, managing their symptoms well, and even reaching remission. You can do it too.
If you need a great place to start, look into my latest book, “The Nova Regimen: A Guide to Losing Fat and Building Muscle with Autoimmune Disease,” available on Amazon.
You can also visit here to receive a free consultation on techniques you can incorporate daily as you work towards actively managing your disease.
Nataliya R. Nawaz, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Nataliya Nawaz is an award-winning published author, fitness and nutrition coach, and expert on autoimmunity. After chemotherapy treatment for a rare tumor left her battling four autoimmune conditions, through relentless research, experiment, and distinct lifestyle techniques, Nataliya reached disease remission. Thus, the Nova Regimen was born, a program geared towards individuals with chronic illnesses. As a founder of the Nova Regimen, Nataliya writes and coaches on the management of chronic inflammation, nutrition, strength training, and recovery. Today, countless participants in the program enjoy active and healthy lives. Her mission: improved quality of life for chronic illness and autoimmunity fighters.
