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Our bodies have an immune system that protects us from disease and infection. But if you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks itself by mistake, and you can get sick. Autoimmune diseases can affect connective tissue in your body (the tissue which binds together body tissues and organs). Autoimmune disease can affect many parts of your body, like your nerves, muscles, endocrine system (system that directs your body’s hormones and other chemicals), and digestive system.

What are the most common symptoms of autoimmune diseases? There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases. Learning the symptoms of some of the more common autoimmune diseases can help you recognize the signs if you get one. But some autoimmune diseases share similar symptoms. This makes it hard for doctors to find out if you really have one of these diseases, and which one it might be. This can make your trip to doctors long and stressful. But if you are having symptoms that bother you, you need to persist to make sure you get relief. Below are descriptions of some common autoimmune diseases. Disease Symptoms Tests to help find out if you have it Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (underactive thyroid) • tiredness • depression • sensitivity to cold • weight gain • muscle weakness and cramps • dry hair • tough skin • constipation • sometimes there are no symptoms • blood test for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (underactive thyroid) • tiredness • depression • sensitivity to cold • weight gain • muscle weakness and cramps • dry hair • tough skin • constipation • sometimes there are no symptoms • blood test for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) Graves’ disease (overactive thyroid) • insomnia (not able to sleep) • irritability • weight loss without dieting • heat sensitivity • sweating • fine brittle hair • weakness in your muscles • light menstrual periods • bulging eyes • shaky hands • sometimes there are no symptoms • blood test for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) Lupus • swelling and damage to the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain • “butterfly” rash across the nose and cheeks • rashes on other parts of the body • painful and swollen joints • sensitivity to the sun • exam of your bodylab tests (antinuclear antibody [ANA] test, blood tests, and urine tests) Multiple sclerosis (MS) • weakness and trouble with coordination, balance, speaking, and walking • paralysis • tremors • numbness and tingling feeling in arms, legs, hands, and feet • exam of your body • exam of your brain, spinal cord, and nerves (neurological exam) • x-ray tests (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and magnetic resonance spectroscopy [MRS]) • other tests on the brain and spinal cord fluid to look for things linked to these diseases Rheumatoid arthritis • inflammation begins in the tissue lining your joints and then spreads to the whole joint (hand joints are the most common site, but it can affect most joints in the body) • muscle pain • deformed joints • weakness • fatigue • loss of appetite • weight loss • becoming confined to bed in severe cases • blood tests may show that you have anemia (when your body does not have enough red blood cells) and an antibody called rheumatoid factor (RF). (Some people with RF never get this disease, and others with the disease never have RF.)

Who is at risk for getting autoimmune diseases? Most autoimmune diseases occur in women, and most often during their childbearing years. Some of these diseases also affect African American, American Indian, and Latina women more than white women. These diseases tend to run in families, so your genes, along with the way your immune system responds to certain triggers or things in the environment, affect your chances of getting one of these diseases. If you think you may have an autoimmune disease, ask your family members if they have had symptoms like yours. The good news is that if you have an autoimmune disease, there ARE things you can do to feel better!

You can take medicines to help your symptoms, which your doctor(s) will talk with you about. The type of medicine you take depends on which disease you have and what your symptoms are. Some people can take over-the-counter drugs, like aspirin and ibuprofen for pain. Others with more severe symptoms may have to take certain kinds of prescription drugs that can help with pain, swelling, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, fatigue, or rashes. You also might be able to take medicine to help slow the progress of your disease. New treatments for autoimmune diseases are being studied all the time

• Eat a healthy diet. Keep your immune system as healthy as can be! The list of nutrients that you need for a healthy immune system is long. But don’t try to overload on vitamins because that could be worse for your health. Try to get all you need from food, rather than from vitamin pills. Eat balanced meals with foods from all of the food groups. Include yummy fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Also eat calcium-rich foods, such as fat-free or low-fat milk and yogurt. Avoid fatty foods. • Get regular exercise (but be careful not to overdo it). Thirty minutes most days of the week is best, but talk with your doctor about what types of exercise you can do. A gradual and gentle exercise program often works well for people with long-lasting muscle and joint pain. Some types of yoga or tai chi exercises may be helpful. • Get enough rest. Rest allows your body tissues and joints the time they need to repair. Sleeping is a great way you can help both your body and mind. If you don’t get enough sleep, your stress level and your symptoms could get worse. You also can’t fight off sickness as well when you sleep poorly. With enough sleep, you can tackle your problems better and lower your risk for illness. Try to get at least seven hours of sleep every night. • Reduce stress and try “self” pain management. You also might be able to lessen your pain or muscle spasms and deal with other aspects of living with your disease if you try meditation or self-hypnosis. You can learn to do these through self-help books, tapes, or with the help of an instructor. You also can use imagery (use the power of your thoughts to “destroy” your pain) or distract your focus on your pain by doing a hobby or something else you enjoy.