10 Ways Your Body May Be Ruining Itself

The army of white blood cells in your veins works hard to fight viruses and bacteria. They maintain your health all year round, fighting viral infections. They are your best protectors until they aren’t turning against you. Sometimes, instead of fighting bacteria, these antibodies start attacking your body. At this moment you get diagnosed with autoimmune disease.

There are a variety of ways your body can start ruining itself. Keep reading to discover more about the forms of autoimmune disease. This will help you identify the symptoms fast, so you can fight back.

1. Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid gland is gradually destroyed. This condition may progress for years without any symptoms. It is the leading cause of hypothyroidism that affects 4 million people in the United States alone. Hashimoto's thyroiditis causes your immune system to mistakenly attack your thyroid gland. This results in poor production of thyroid hormone .

Patients diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis often experience unexplained weight gain, joint pain, hair loss, constipation, and increased sensitivity to cold. Not all cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis require treatment. The doctor may easily determine whether you have normal levels of thyroid hormone.

2. Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a common disease that affects more than 1.3 million Americans. About 75% of patients diagnosed with RA are women. This condition usually develops between the ages of 30 and 50. Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation that appears symmetrically. The symptoms usually aggravate in the mourning. This is primarily joint disease, but in rare cases, it can damage organs like the lungs, eyes, and heart.

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment includes physiotherapy and medication. These measures help to manage this disease and relieve its symptoms.

3. VitiligoVitiligo is a chronic skin condition characterized by pigment-free patches of the skin. It happens when the cells responsible for skin pigment are destroyed. White patches can appear on any part of your body including the oral cavity. The hair from the skin may also become white. This condition usually develops between ages 10 and 30.

The treatment of vitiligo includes vitamin B12, folic acid, and sun exposure. These things can help you improve skin pigmentation. Living with a skin disorder like vitiligo can be difficult, but it should not hold you back from living a better life.

4. PsoriasisPsoriasis is a skin disease that makes your skin cells multiply up to 10 times faster than normal. It causes red, scaly, itching, and burning patches on the skin. Patches often appear on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. Psoriasis is a chronic condition that comes and goes periodically. There is no cure for this condition, but you can manage symptoms.

To relieve psoriasis you need to make certain lifestyle changes. It is crucial to reduce stress levels, quit smoking, and moisturize your skin properly. The doctor can also prescribe medications that reduce inflammation.

5. FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia is a serious disorder that causes various musculoskeletal pains, sleep disorders, memory, and mood issues. Pain that lasts more than three months can indicate that you have fibromyalgia. This condition can affect any part of your body. Because of the overwhelming mix of symptoms, it is hard to diagnose this condition.

Once fibromyalgia is diagnosed, the doctor may prescribe you physical therapy and refer to a pain doctor . It is impossible to cure this disease but you can improve its symptoms with painkillers and antidepressants. For some patients, supplements with ribose (energy molecules) can help increase energy and fight anxiety .

6. Multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the brain and central nervous system. The symptoms of this disease may start years before it gets diagnosed. This condition affects mostly women of Northern European descent between the ages of 20 and 50. The symptoms of MS are very different. Depending on the degree of nerve damage it may cause vision, balance, and muscle control problems. Early symptoms of MS include numbness, spasms, and dizziness.

The person diagnosed with severe MS can lose the ability to move independently. However, with proper treatment and support, a person can live a long and happy life.

7. AlopeciaAlopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss on the face and scalp. This disease causes the immune system to attack healthy hair follicles. As a result, hair follicles become thinner until the hair growth stops. This condition can affect both males and females. The main risk factor for the development of alopecia areata are genetic predisposition and environmental factors.

The treatment includes corticosteroid injections into bare patches of skin with a tiny needle. Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that can suppress the immune system and prevent it from attacking hair follicles.

8. Type 1 diabetesType 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that moves glucose from the blood into the cells to produce energy. This condition can affect a person of any age and origin. The symptoms of type 1 diabetes include extreme thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, irritability, and fatigue.

This disease cannot be cured but you can manage it with insulin injections. Regular exercises and a healthy lifestyle are key to living long and healthy with type 1 diabetes.

9. LupusLupus is a complex disease that is often diagnosed in young women between the ages of 15 and 44. In the United States doctors diagnose about 16,000 new cases each year. This disease is often called "the great imitator". It can cause symptoms similar to rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetes, and Lyme disease. The main symptoms include inflammation, swelling, and damage to the hard and soft tissues of the body.

The most obvious sign of lupus is a face rash that has a form of butterfly wings. This rush usually unfolds across the bridge of the nose and both cheeks. If you see this tush on your face, call your doctor immediately.

10. Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease. The main symptoms of this condition include fatigue, weight loss, diarrhea , abdominal pain, and malnutrition. Depending on the severity of the disease symptoms may be more or less prominent. About 1.6 million Americans are diagnosed with Crohn's disease. Untreated Crohn's disease can contribute to life-threatening health complications.

There is no cure for this condition but anti-inflammatory medications can help manage flare-ups. In addition to anti-inflammatory medications, some people may need immunosuppressants or antibiotics. To relieve symptoms of Crohn's disease is crucial to adjust your diet to decrease the risk of inflammation.