What are some Common Signs and Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease? Learn the typical red flags of autoimmunity in this post.
When you’re having physical problems, pain, and weird symptoms, it can be very difficult to discover exactly what’s going on and why. Even though there are a large variety of general illnesses that can cause certain sets of symptoms, these messages from your body can be very helpful in detecting what the problem may be. You might even find it helpful to keep a daily journal so that you can keep track of when and why symptoms begin to take place.
Autoimmune disorders can affect any type of person at any age. In the interest of spreading awareness about autoimmune disorders, this post will give an overview of the common symptoms of autoimmune disorders.
Most Common Symptoms
Autoimmune disorders are known for certain symptoms that seem to be common among the entire category of illness. Symptoms like swelling, pain in hands and feet, numbness in hands and feet, hair loss, and fatigue, are all hallmarks of autoimmune disorders.
One thing to note however, is that irritable bowel disorders, like Crohn’s or Celiac, will have symptoms that are more associated with your digestive tract. Other disorders, like Rheumatoid Arthritis are more likely to be centered in the joints of the hands, neck, and feet. The important thing here is to take note of which areas are being affected so you can pinpoint which specific autoimmune disease(s) you may have.
Here as a short list of common symptoms to be on the lookout for:
- Constipation
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Digestion issues / pain / reflux
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Heart palpitations
- Insomnia
- Joint pain
- Mood swings
- Muscle soreness / fatigue
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Nervousness / anxiety
- Numbness
- Skin rashes and disorders
- Tingling
- Weight gain
- Weight loss
Frequency of Symptoms
One of the most frustrating things that people with autoimmune disorders will experience: many of these diseases have times when it seems as if they don’t have a specific disorder attached to them at all. You may notice that a flare-up is directly triggered by external factors or even feel like they have no triggers at all.
For example:
Someone with Hashimoto’s may think they are just not getting enough sleep, when in fact there is a thyroid hormone imbalance due to antibodies attacking the thyroid. This in turn is triggering their unexplained fatigue.
Another example:
Someone with Celiac is suddenly having chronic diarrhea and anxiety. They did not realize that the package of “corn” tortillas they purchased at the grocery store last week contained wheat flour on the ingredients list. They were unaware they were ingesting gluten all week, and it seemed as if their symptoms came out of nowhere.
This is another good reason to use a symptom journal, even on days when you are feeling just fine. This way you can look back and review what may be triggering flare-ups, pinpoint it, and correct it.
What About Remission of Symptoms?
When symptoms are not present, these periods of time are known as remission. This can be very psychologically jarring for a person who is suffering from this type of disorder because they are constantly waiting for another flare-up.
That can be a major hindrance to social interactions that keep such as individual connected friends and loved ones. Journaling again comes into play here, where you may be able to plan your activities around the times where you notice a pattern of feeling your best.
Many people with autoimmunity who have used the Paleo AIP to pinpoint their food triggers, reduce inflammation, and recover from leaky gut report improved quality of life! Learn more about the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol here.
Be Detailed in Your Journal
You won’t want to ignore the small details when recording your Common Signs and Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease. Leaving out any tidbit of crucial information can lead to a misdiagnosis or to a medical professional (unfortunately) dismissing your very valid complaints. The difficult nature of these diseases make it absolutely necessary to include every detail, and any other information that could have a serious impact on a diagnosis.
Here are some of the most important details to include in your symptoms journal:
- Suspected and/or diagnosed disorders
- Current symptoms
- Lab results (serumlabs, at-home test kits, imaging, etc)
- Dietary restrictions
- Daily food intake
- Any reactions to the foods
- Sleep schedule and quality
- Types of workouts you do, and how you feel after exercise
- Part of your body experiencing discomfort, and when it flares up
- Which medications/supplements you are taking, brand, and dosage
- Responses to /reactions to medications or supplements
- Any protocols you have attempted to mitigate symptoms
Do You Have Any of These Common Signs and Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease?
If you are feeling overwhelmed and need someone to help you piece it altogether, I’m here for you in a multitude of ways. Learn all of the ways we can work together here! I’d love to help you troubleshoot your lingering symptoms and get you on the path to recovery.
