The lupus that affects Toni Braxton is just one of 80 different autoimmune diseases that affect up to 50 million Americans. With an autoimmune disease, a person’s own immune system attacks the body’s tissue instead of attacking viruses and bacteria. Women are much more likely than men to have an autoimmune disease. In fact, it’s estimated that 75 percent of autoimmune cases are women. For lupus, that percentage is 90 percent.
Below is a list of some of the most common autoimmune diseases and their symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these groups of symptoms, you should see your personal physician.
Type 1 Diabetes
Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed to talk to your physician about which screenings are right for you.
Symptoms: Being very thirsty, urinating often, feeling very hungry or tired, losing weight without trying, sores that heal slowly.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
A chronic inflammation of the lining of the joints.
Symptoms: Painful, stiff and swollen joints, reduced movement and function of joints.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of intestinal disorders that cause prolonged inflammation of the digestive tract. There are a number of diseases included in IBD. The two most common are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease can cause inflammation in any part of the digestive tract. However, it mostly affects the tail end of the small intestine. Ulcerative colitis involves inflammation of the large intestine.
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, diarrhea (can be bloody), rectal bleeding, fever, fatigue, mouth ulcers (Crohn’s disease).
Celiac Disease
A reaction to gluten that can damage the small intestine.
Symptoms: Abnormal bloating and pain, diarrhea and constipation, fatigue, missed menstrual periods, itchy skin, rash.
Pernicious Anemia
A decrease in red blood cells caused by the body’s inability to absorb vitamin B-12.
Symptoms: Fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, cold hands or feet, paleness, yellowish skin or whites of the eye, heart problems.
Psoriasis
A decrease in red blood cells caused by the body’s inability to absorb vitamin B-12.
Symptoms: Fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, cold hands or feet, paleness, yellowish skin or whites of the eye, heart problems.
Lupus
An inflammatory disease that can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.
Symptoms: Fever, weight loss, hair loss, mouth sores, fatigue, “butterfly” rash across the nose and cheeks, rashes on other parts of the body, sensitivity to the sun, painful or swollen joints, muscle pain.