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What are the Most Common Autoimmune Disease Symptoms?

Margo Upson
Margo Upson
Margo Upson
Margo Upson

When the body's immune system is altered, for unknown reasons, and begins harming the body, it is called an autoimmune disease or disorder. There is no cure, and autoimmune disorders can be very difficult to diagnose. That is because so many of the most common autoimmune disease symptoms could be caused by any number of common illnesses and disorders.

One of the most common autoimmune disease symptoms is fatigue. The body is wearing itself out fighting against itself. The inflammation caused by these diseases can also cause fatigue. The pain common to most autoimmune disorders, as well as the overall stress to the body, can also lead to a person feeling tired almost all of the time.

Symptoms of lupus may include joint pain.
Symptoms of lupus may include joint pain.

Another of the most common autoimmune disease symptoms is a change in weight unrelated to dietary intake or the amount of exercise a person gets. Many types of autoimmune disorders, such as Addison's disease, Grave's disease (hyperthyroidism), lupus and irritable bowel syndrome can lead to weight loss. These same conditions, in some people, can also lead to weight gain. Weight gain centralized to the torso, arms and neck may be a symptom of Cushing's disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis, which can cause fever and intense pain, most commonly afflicts women.
Rheumatoid arthritis, which can cause fever and intense pain, most commonly afflicts women.

Fever is another of the most common autoimmune disease symptoms. An autoimmune disorder is caused by an over-reactive immune system, which has started to detect parts of the body as a threat. The immune system reacts to this threat the same way it would react to any other harmful intrusion, such as a virus, bacteria or parasite. Fevers are a body's natural way to fight infection. When the body is constantly fighting a perceived infection, a fever becomes very common.

Some autoimmune disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome, can cause weight loss.
Some autoimmune disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome, can cause weight loss.

People experiencing an autoimmune disorder often are in a lot of pain. Joint pain, muscle pain, tender points or all-over pain are all common autoimmune disease symptoms. The pain comes from the body attacking itself, which can cause a lot of discomfort. Rheumatoid arthritis, for example, is characterized by a severe amount of pain in the joints. The fever caused by some autoimmune infections also can cause pain and unusually high levels of tenderness and sensitivity.

Lupus impairs blood clotting, leading to bruising from even a minor bump.
Lupus impairs blood clotting, leading to bruising from even a minor bump.

Other common autoimmune disease symptoms include high blood pressure, dizziness, numbness and cloudy thinking, also known as brain fog. There may also be changes in mood, sexual desire and gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating or nausea. Anyone with recurrent unexplained symptoms, such as those common to autoimmune disorders, should contact a physician for diagnosis and treatment.

Margo Upson
Margo Upson

Margo has a varied academic background, which has involved everything from psychology and culinary arts to criminal justice and education. These wide-ranging interests make her an ideal WiseGEEK writer, as she always enjoys becoming an expert on new and unfamiliar topics.

Learn more...
Margo Upson
Margo Upson

Margo has a varied academic background, which has involved everything from psychology and culinary arts to criminal justice and education. These wide-ranging interests make her an ideal WiseGEEK writer, as she always enjoys becoming an expert on new and unfamiliar topics.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Crispety

Mutsy - My sister’s coworker was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. It is a disease that attacks the central nervous system causing you to lose your balance and eventually lose mobility.

This disorder sends confusing signals to the brain which may lead many to have problems walking, tremors and muscle spasms. It also leads to a loss of cognitive reasoning and depression.

I know that Montel Williams was diagnosed with this disorder and is a activist in raising money for a cure for this condition. He says that his active lifestyle has helped him cope with the disease.

mutsy

Cafe41 -I have a friend who suffers from Graves disease which is an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid.

It provides an overactive thyroid which causes the person to remain thin despite eating as much as they could. It also produces bulging eyes along irritability and insomnia.

cafe41

I recently discovered a book called, “Autoimmune Epidemic” by Donna Jaskson Nakazawa. It explores the huge rise in diagnosis of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and chronic fatigue to name a few.

She discusses how the rise of autoimmune diseases could be linked to the increased toxins that we are all ingesting. She adds that gluten is a major source of allergies and mercury has a poisoning effect on the body.

Many of her patients’ lives were dramatically improved through the changes in diet and lifestyle with their autoimmune treatments.

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    • Symptoms of lupus may include joint pain.
      By: Laurin Rinder
      Symptoms of lupus may include joint pain.
    • Rheumatoid arthritis, which can cause fever and intense pain, most commonly afflicts women.
      By: Ocskay Bence
      Rheumatoid arthritis, which can cause fever and intense pain, most commonly afflicts women.
    • Some autoimmune disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome, can cause weight loss.
      By: JackF
      Some autoimmune disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome, can cause weight loss.
    • Lupus impairs blood clotting, leading to bruising from even a minor bump.
      By: Harald Biebel
      Lupus impairs blood clotting, leading to bruising from even a minor bump.