What Is An Autoimmune Disease?
If you have trouble falling asleep, feel constantly exhausted, can't each much and experience aching of muscles and joints on a daily basis, then you may have an autoimmune disease. There are over 80 types of autoimmune diseases, ranging from lupus and hepatitis to rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disorders. The most at-risk individuals are women just past the age of puberty. Health experts aren't 100% sure what triggers the body's defense system to attack itself, but since 79% of cases are with women, they suspect it may be hormone-related.
Rheumatoid arthritis, which is one of the common autoimmune diseases, affects women in 75% of the approximately 2 million cases; within a few years, it leaves 30-40% of untreated sufferers disabled. Patients suffer stiffness of joints, immobility, chronic fatigue and inflammation. Lupus is another of the autoimmune diseases that causes swelling, weakness, muscle or joint pain and insomnia. A butterfly rash and light sensitivity also typically occur as telltale signs of lupus.
The danger untreated lupus presents is serious damage to internal organs and kidney failure, as well as seizures, depression, blood clots, depression, psychosis, strokes or migraines. Other autoimmune diseases include multiple sclerosis (although some debate the classification), type 1 diabetes, hepatitis, Addison's disease, Wegener's disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Grave's syndrome and over/underactive thyroids, so you'll want to check your family history for those genetic diseases as well.
Millions of Americans are living with autoimmune diseases as we speak. Although the pain may feel unbearable some days, there are certain lifestyle modifications that can ease the symptoms, allowing you to accomplish your short and long term goals. To keep your immune system as fueled up as possible, be sure to eat a healthy diet packed with vitamins and spread out across all of the food groups. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy should be added, while fatty foods should generally be avoided.
To keep your immune system working to maximum efficiency, you should always get a good night of rest. Often, people with an autoimmune disease and chronic fatigue take medication or try hypno-therapy tapes to ensure a good night's rest. Reducing stress is another important factor for pain management. Sometimes a yoga class, a visit to the spa, reading or another hobby can lessen the anxiety, pain and depression you may suffer.
The idea of an autoimmune disease can be very frightening for patients. "What? My body is attacking itself?" they ask. Others may begin to feel immediately depressed or frustrated when the disease becomes a disability and they can't perform their day-to-day functions as they used to. To deal with the stress of such a diagnosis, many people seek counseling to train themselves to cope. Group therapy can be very beneficial, as it gives a sense of "We're all in this together" and also provides tested, tried and true lifestyle management tips. You can find more medical information at Medline Plus (http://www.NLM.NIH.Gov).
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Today's Tip On Autoimmune Diseases
In health class you are taught about how the body has its own defense mechanism called the immune system. In a healthy body the immune system works to keep out infection and keep the body from developing colds, flues, and other diseases. It works around the clock to protect the body from outside intruders. But what happens when the immune system does not work as it should? It stops protecting the body and instead begins to attack it.
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