Understanding Autoimmune Disease & What to Look Out For

At any given moment, over 60 million people are suffering from autoimmune disease, yet little is understood about these complex and sometimes difficult-to-diagnose disorders. Symptoms that may indicate underlying disease often go ignored or are misdiagnosed and treated at the surface level, leaving many patients to cope with the unknown for years.

As research continues and testing innovations like ID30 enter the marketplace, more options are opening up for those suffering with chronic symptoms. Lifestyle changes and preventative care become beacons of hope and proper diagnosis frees sufferers from their pain and frustration.

So how do you know if you’re one of the 60 million? And what exactly does it mean if your symptoms indicate autoimmune disease? Amidst the complexity, more answers arise every day. Here’s what to look out for and what it means if you are diagnosed with autoimmune disease: 

Understanding Autoimmune Disease
Put simply, autoimmune disease is when a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells as though they were unhealthy. This can happen in various parts of the body or, for some, it can affect multiple body systems at the same time.

It is still unknown exactly what causes autoimmune disease, though certain risk factors have been identified. Genetics, environmental factors, gender, hormone levels and certain viral infections all may have a role and could be linked to these chronic illnesses.

There are currently upwards of 80 recognized autoimmune diseases, each with their own complexities and symptoms. Some of the most common include diabetes, psoriasis, Graves’ disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Symptoms that May Indicate Autoimmune Disease
While each autoimmune disease has its own underlying cause and treatment, similar symptoms plague many of those who are suffering from these conditions. Some of the most common symptoms include fatigue, joint pain and swelling, skin problems, abdominal pain, digestive issues, recurring fevers, and swollen glands.

Because many of these symptoms could have varying causes, autoimmune disease often goes overlooked. When evaluating your symptoms, it’s also important to consider the risk factors, such as a family history of autoimmune disease or recent viral infection that may have triggered your immune system response. If your symptoms are new or inexplicable, they should not be ignored.   

What Now?
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with autoimmune disease - fatigue, joint pain and swelling, skin problems, abdominal pain, digestive issues, recurring fevers, swollen glands - you should talk to your doctor and begin the path to finding an accurate diagnosis. As you work with your practitioner, tests like ID30 can measure the presence and level of important autoimmune antibody markers that can assist in your diagnosis and aid in proper treatment.

While the path to wellness may be frustrating and long, answers are out there and proper treatment can relieve most symptoms. If you are wondering if ID30 can help, please reach out to us with any questions to learn more.