AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES IN WOMEN
Our bodies have an immune system which is a complex network of special cells and organs that defends the
body from germs and other foreign invaders. Many diseases of the immune system,
also known as autoimmune diseases, are more common in women than in men.
The majority of people living with autoimmune
disorders are women, usually those who are of childbearing age. In fact,
autoimmune diseases are among the leading causes of death and disability in
girls and women 65 years of age and younger.
There are dozens of different types of autoimmune
diseases, which occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own
organs and tissues. The majority of these diseases are far more common in women
than in men — an estimated 75 percent of those living with autoimmune diseases
are female.
Who gets Autoimmune Diseases?
Autoimmune
diseases can affect anyone. Yet certain people are at greater risk, including:
- Women of childbearing age — More women than men have autoimmune
diseases, which often start during their childbearing years.
- People with a family history — Some autoimmune diseases run in
families, such as lupus and multiple sclerosis. It is also common for
different types of autoimmune diseases to affect different members of a
single family. Inheriting certain genes can make it more likely to get an
autoimmune disease. But a combination of genes and other factors may
trigger the disease to start.
- People who are around certain things in the
environment — Certain events or environmental
exposures may cause some autoimmune diseases, or make them worse.
Sunlight, chemicals called solvents, and viral and bacterial infections
are linked to many autoimmune diseases.
- People of certain races or ethnic backgrounds — Some autoimmune diseases are more
common or affect certain groups of people more severely. For instance,
type 1 diabetes is more common in white people. Lupus is most severe for
African-American and Hispanic people.
Autoimmune Diseases Affect Women and Their Symptoms
The diseases
listed here either are more common in women than men or affect many women and
men. They are listed in alphabetical order.
Although each
disease is unique, many share hallmark symptoms, such as fatigue, dizziness,
and low-grade fever. For many autoimmune diseases, symptoms come and go, or can
be mild sometimes and severe at others. When symptoms go away for a while, it's
called remission. Flares are the sudden and severe onset of symptoms.
1. Type 1 diabetes
The pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which helps
regulate blood sugar levels. In type 1 diabetes mellitus, the immune system attacks and
destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. High blood sugar results can
lead to damage in the blood vessels, as well as organs like the heart, kidneys,
eyes, and nerves.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the immune system attacks the joints.
This attack causes redness, warmth, soreness, and stiffness in the joints. Unlike osteoarthritis, which commonly affects people as they
get older, RA can start as early as your 30s or sooner.
3. Psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis
Skin cells normally grow and then shed when they’re no
longer needed. Psoriasis causes skin cells to multiply too quickly. The extra cells build
up and form inflamed red patches, commonly with silver-white scales of plaque
on the skin. Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop
swelling, stiffness, and pain in their joints. This form of the disease is
called psoriatic arthritis.
4. Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) damages the myelin sheath, the
protective coating that surrounds nerve cells, in your central nervous system.
Damage to the myelin sheath slows the transmission speed of messages between
your brain and spinal cord to and from the rest of your body. This damage can
lead to symptoms like numbness, weakness, balance issues, and trouble walking.
The disease comes in several forms that progress at different rates.
5. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Although doctors in the 1800s first described lupus as a skin disease because of the rash it commonly
produces, the systemic form, which is most the common, actually affects many
organs, including the joints, kidneys, brain, and heart. Joint pain, fatigue,
and rashes are among the most common symptoms.
6. Inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term used to describe
conditions that cause inflammation in the lining of the intestinal wall. Each
type of IBD affects a different part of the GI tract.
- Crohn’s disease can inflame any part of the GI tract,
from the mouth to the anus.
- Ulcerative colitisaffects only the lining of the large intestine
(colon) and rectum.
7. Addison’s disease
Addison’s disease affects the adrenal glands, which
produce the hormones cortisol and aldosterone as well as androgen hormones.
Having too little of cortisol can affect the way the body uses and stores
carbohydrates and sugar (glucose). Deficiency of aldosterone will lead to
sodium loss and excess potassium in the bloodstream.Symptoms include weakness,
fatigue, weight loss, and low blood sugar.
8. Graves’ disease
Graves’ disease attacks the thyroid gland in the neck, causing it
to produce too much of its hormones. Thyroid hormones control the body’s energy
usage, known as metabolism.Having too much of these hormones revs up your
body’s activities, causing symptoms like nervousness, a fast heartbeat, heat
intolerance, and weight loss. One potential symptom of this disease is bulging
eyes, called exophthalmos.
9. Sjögren’s Syndrome
This condition attacks the glands that provide
lubrication to the eyes and mouth. The hallmark symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome are dry eyes and dry mouth, but it may
also affect the joints or skin.
10. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, thyroid hormone production slows to a
deficiency. Symptoms include weight gain, sensitivity to cold, fatigue, hair
loss, and swelling of the thyroid (goiter).
11. Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis affects nerve impulses that help
the brain control the muscles. When the communication from nerves to muscles is
impaired, signals can’t direct the muscles to contract.
The most common symptom is muscle weakness that gets
worse with activity and improves with rest. Often muscles that control eye
movements, eyelid opening, swallowing, and facial movements are involved.
12. Autoimmune Vasculitis
Autoimmune vasculitis happens when the immune system
attacks blood vessels. The inflammation that results narrows the arteries and
veins, allowing less blood to flow through them.
13. Pernicious Anemia
This condition causes deficiency of a protein, made by
stomach lining cells, known as intrinsic factor that is needed in order for the
small intestine to absorb vitamin B-12 from food. Without enough of this
vitamin, one will develop an anemia, and the body’s ability for proper DNA
synthesis will be altered. Pernicious anemia is more common in older adults.
14. Celiac Disease
People with celiac disease can’t eat foods containing
gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and other grain products. When gluten is
in the small intestine, the immune system attacks this part of the
gastrointestinal tract and causes inflammation. A larger number of people have
reported gluten sensitivity, which isn’t an autoimmune disease,
but can have similar symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain.
How do I find out if I have an autoimmune disease?
Getting a
diagnosis can be a long and stressful process. Although each autoimmune disease
is unique, many share some of the same symptoms. And many symptoms of
autoimmune diseases are the same for other types of health problems too. This
makes it hard for doctors to find out if you really have an autoimmune disease,
and which one it might be. But if you are having symptoms that bother you, it's
important to find the cause. Don't give up if you're not getting any answers.
You can take these steps to help find out the cause of your symptoms:
- Write
down a complete family health history that includes extended family and share
it with your doctor.
- Record
any symptoms you have, even if they seem unrelated, and share it with your
doctor.
- See
a specialist who has experience dealing with your most major symptom. For
instance, if you have symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, start with a
gastroenterologist. Ask your regular doctor, friends, and others for
suggestions.
- Get
a second, third, or fourth opinion if need be. If your doctor
doesn't take your symptoms seriously or tells you they are stress-related
or in your head, see another doctor.
I want to have a baby. Does having an autoimmune disease affect
pregnancy?
Women with autoimmune diseases can safely have children.
But there could be some risks for the mother or baby, depending on the disease
and how severe it is. For instance, pregnant women with lupus have a higher
risk of preterm birth and stillbirth. Pregnant women with myasthenia gravis
(MG) might have symptoms that lead to trouble breathing during pregnancy. For
some women, symptoms tend to improve during pregnancy, while others find their
symptoms tend to flare up. Also, some medicines used to treat autoimmune
diseases might not be safe to use during pregnancy.
If you want to have a baby, talk to your doctor before
you start trying to get pregnant. Your doctor might suggest that you wait until
your disease is in remission or suggest a change in medicines before you start
trying. You also might need to see a doctor who cares for women with high-risk
pregnancies.
Some women with autoimmune diseases may
have problems getting pregnant. This can happen for many reasons. Tests can
tell if fertility problems are caused by an autoimmune disease or an unrelated
reason. Fertility treatments are able to help some women with autoimmune
disease become pregnant.
What
are some things I can do to feel better?
If you are living
with an autoimmune disease, there are things you can do each day to feel better:
- Eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Make sure to include fruits and
vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk products, and lean
sources of protein. Limit saturated fat, trans fat,
cholesterol, salt, and added sugars. If you follow a healthy eating plan,
you will get the nutrients you need from food.
- Get regular physical activity. But be careful not to overdo it. Talk
with your doctor about what types of physical activity you can do. A
gradual and gentle exercise program often works well for people with
long-lasting muscle and joint pain. Some types of yoga or tai chi
exercises may be helpful.
- Get enough rest. Rest allows your body tissues and joints
the time they need to repair. Sleeping is a great way you can help both
your body and mind. If you don't get enough sleep, your stress level and
your symptoms could get worse. You also can't fight off sickness as well
when you sleep poorly. When you are well-rested, you can tackle your
problems better and lower your risk for illness. Most people need at least
7 to 9 hours of sleep each day to feel well-rested.
- Reduce stress. Stress and anxiety can trigger symptoms
to flare up with some autoimmune diseases. So finding ways to simplify
your life and cope with daily stressors will help you to feel your best.
Meditation, self-hypnosis, and guided imagery, are simple relaxation
techniques that might help you to reduce stress, lessen your pain, and
deal with other aspects of living with your disease. You can learn to do
these through self-help books, tapes, or with the help of an instructor.
Joining a support group or talking with a counselor might also help you to
manage your stress and cope with your disease.
Dr. Suchi Gupta's Gynae Clinic
(Gynaecologist in Gaur City, Greater Noida West, Noida Extension)
Shop No 130, FF, Gaur City Plaza Market, West, Gaur City 1 Rd, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301
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