An Autiommune Disease Can Be Coped With
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.
There are many different doctors who treat autoimmune diseases. A nephrologist can check your kidneys, an endocrinologist checks your glands and if you are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, you have probably seen a rheumatologist. You may receive therapy from a physical therapist for joint/muscle pain, an occupational therapist will help you to find devices for assisted living, a speech therapist helps people with MS, or vocational therapist can help with specialized job training. You may also want to see a chiropractor, masseuse or a counselor for emotional support. Millions of Americans are living with an autoimmune disease. While there is no magical cure, you can diminish the symptoms and maximize your personal happiness through one of the many available channels.
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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