Autoimmune Diseases And Fatigue
Fatigue is probably intertwined with the definition of illness, almost any illness, but with some conditions fatigue becomes ingrained into the afflicted persons being and is a feature of their daily life. Such is the case with the highest profile disorders, cancer and cardiovascular disease, but it is just as true with at least some autoimmune diseases. I have a long history of dealing with autoimmunity and the complaint that kept bringing me back to doctors persisting in finding out what was going on was the dogged lack of energy, vitality. I got guess after guess after guess and when I got the answer it was basically that fatigue was part of the deal with the autoimmune disease that I have, Sjogrens, as well as Im sure many others. So what Im asking here is if you experience it, fatigue, how has it impacted your life and how do you deal with it? Have you found anything that you are sure mitigates it?
John, Im so glad you started this discussion specific to fatigue. As you know my mom suffers from fatigue and were still trying to get to the bottom of the cause. Im tagging other members on this discussion in the hopes that theyll share their experiences with autoimmune disease and fatigue.
@robbinr@jharsh@dawn_giacabazi@flowerbeauty@jillnc@kyjeanne@blindeyepug: John asks, Do you experience fatigue? How has it impacted your life and how do you deal with it? Have you found anything that you are sure mitigates it?
Treat Underlying Conditions That May Cause Fatigue
âFatigue with lupus is sometimes caused by an underlying medical problem, such as anemia, fibromyalgia, depression, or a kidney or thyroid problem. And in some cases, it can be a side effect of medication,â says Meenakshi Jolly, MD, MS, director of the Rush Lupus Clinic and assistant professor of medicine and behavioral medicine at Rush University. âIn these cases, we can often treat the fatigue by treating the condition or changing the patientâs medication.â
Ask your doctor to check if your fatigue may be related to another condition or a medication. If it is, find out about treatment.
Common Autoimmune Disease Symptoms
Despite the varying types of autoimmune disease, many of them share similar symptoms. Common symptoms of autoimmune disease include:
- Abdominal pain or digestive issues
- Recurring fever
Many women say its hard to get diagnosed, something that Orbai agrees with. Its not black or white, she says. Theres usually no single test to diagnose autoimmune disease. You have to have certain symptoms combined with specific blood markers and in some cases, even a tissue biopsy. Its not just one factor.
Diagnosis can also be difficult because these symptoms can come from other common conditions. Orbai says women should seek treatment when they notice new symptoms.
If youve been healthy and suddenly you feel fatigue or joint stiffness, dont downplay that, she says. Telling your doctor helps him or her to look closer at your symptoms and run tests to either identify or rule out autoimmune disease.
Autoimmune Disease: Why Is My Immune System Attacking Itself?
Autoimmune disease affects 23.5 million Americans, and nearly 80 percent of those are women. If youre one of the millions of women affected by this group of diseases, which includes lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disease, you may be wondering why your immune system is attacking itself.
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How Do Autoimmune Diseases Affect You If Youre Trying To Get Pregnant
Some autoimmune diseases can affect your ability to get pregnant and some have adverse effects on pregnancy. You may need fertility treatments to get pregnant. You might also want to wait until your disease is in the remission stage to try to conceive.
There is a higher risk for stillbirth or preterm birth if you have lupus. If you have myasthenia gravis, you may experience trouble breathing.
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What Does Fatigue Have To Do With It
I just had a blood test to check my iron levels and it got me thinking about an often overlooked issue in autoimmune diseaseFATIGUE!
Have you ever felt the fatigue of autoimmunity, but havent received answers or options to manage and improve your symptoms?
Fatigue in autoimmunity means symptoms of tiredness and exhaustion that do not improve with rest. Symptoms of fatigue can interfere with everyday life. You might experience brain fog, exercise intolerance, and headaches.
I was first diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis over 12 years ago. I was happy to finally have a reason to explain all of the random joint pain I was experiencing. I was not, however, prepared for the fatigue and brain fog that would follow me as a constant reminder of my disease.
When I asked my medical team about it, I received the frustrating response that it was just part of life with an autoimmune disease. Fatigue can be a confusing and often overlooked aspect of your disease, but it shouldnt have to be!
When we dig deep, there are several root causes we can uncover for fatigue that actually have solutions!
When I talk about fatigue, Im not talking about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This is an autoimmune disease that can lead to debilitating exhaustion and a host of other symptoms. This deserves mention, because its something to have ruled out as a root cause of your fatigue with your medical practitioner.
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Risk Factors For Autoimmune Disorders
The exact causes of autoimmune disorders are not known. The risk factors seem to include:
- genetics a predisposition to autoimmune disorders seems to run in families. However, family members can be affected by different disorders for example, one person may have diabetes, while another has rheumatoid arthritis. It seems that genetic susceptibility alone is not enough to trigger an autoimmune reaction, and other factors must contribute.
- environmental factors a family’s susceptibility to autoimmune disorders may be linked to common environmental factors, perhaps working in conjunction with genetic factors.
- gender around three quarters of people with autoimmune disorders are women.
- sex hormones autoimmune disorders tend to strike during the childbearing years. Some disorders seem to be affected, for better or worse, by major hormonal changes such as pregnancy, childbirth and menopause.
- infection some disorders seem to be triggered or worsened by particular infections.
How Is Fatigue From Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Different From Fatigue Experienced By Those With Other Autoimmune Conditions Such As Lupus Or Hashimotos
Chronic fatigue syndrome can only be diagnosed in the absence of any clear or probable medical or psychological condition, and the patient must meet certain conditions and criteria in order to carry the diagnosis. Usually chronic fatigue is quite generalized, while individual diseases may present with more specific complaints in terms of location, timing, sensations, etc. However, this is far from absolute, and chronic fatigue syndrome thus requires strict guidelines for diagnosis.
It may indeed feel the same or similar to fatigue caused by other sources, but can only be said to be chronic fatigue once all other likely conditions have been ruled out, and all required criteria met for the diagnosis. In addition, chronic fatigue will not abate after getting decent sleep, which may or may not distinguish it from other forms.
In recent years, researchers have determined that there is a biological basis for chronic fatigue syndrome, and have identified five different subtypes of the syndrome. The hope is that this will lead to blood tests able to isolate one type from the others, leading eventually to more successful and tailored treatments.
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Lupus Vs Rheumatoid Arthritis
A complex autoimmune disease, lupus can cause a wide range of symptoms that vary in severity, making it challenging to diagnose. Many people refer to lupus by its full medical name, systemic lupus erythematosus .
How is it similar to RA? One of the most common symptoms of lupus is pain and swelling in the hands, knees, and other joints. People often report fatigue, fever, and a general feeling of being unwell.
See Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
How is it different? A person with lupus may find it painful to take a deep breath. He or she may have sensitivity to light, hair loss, mouth sores, and/or a skin rash, particularly over the face. Digestive difficulties and neurological problems, such as headaches and tingling, are also possible.
What Causes Autoimmune Disease
The exact cause of autoimmune diseases is unknown, however, environmental and genetic factors are known to play a large role in the onset and progression of the disease. Environmental factors such as chronic stress due to external factors or an underlying condition, toxin/pollutant exposure, immune-reactive dietary proteins, and underlying infections have all been examined as potential triggers of immune dysregulation. Once the immune system starts to identify the bodys own cells as enemies, this may lead to loss of self-tolerance, and therefore, production of tissue-attacking antibodies.
Infections, particularly those involving the Epstein Barr virus , Herpes Simplex 1, and Herpes Simplex 2, have been associated with the onset of autoimmune disease. The bacteria Escherichia coli is also thought to contribute to autoimmune conditions. The reason these infections may trigger an autoimmune condition is unknown but there are two working theories.
The second theory involves gut health, which can be damaged by E. coli. Studies have shown that the gut bacteria and oral microbiota of people with both Type 1 Diabetes and Rheumatoid Arthritis are less healthy. Since many immune cells are located in the gastrointestinal tract, it seems logical that an unhealthy gut leads to immune deficiencies.
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Other Autoimmune Diseases Treated At Fred Hutch
- Autoimmune Cerebellar Degeneration
- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
- Gait Ataxia with Late Age Onset Polyneuropathy
- Lambert Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome
- Tropical Spastic Paraperesis\ HTLV-1 Associated Myelopathy
Autoimmune diseases that affect blood cells are discussed in our blood disorders section.
- Immune thrombocytopenia purpura
Autoimmune Disease And Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome
Millions of people are diagnosed with some form of autoimmune disease, and the number is rapidly growing. Prevalence of the disease is 75% more prevalent in women than men. Autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system thinks healthy tissues of your body are invading bacteria or viruses and begins to attack them. Women are thought to have a stronger, more reactive immune system than men, which is why they may be more susceptible to autoimmune conditions. Autoimmune diseases are classified by the main tissue the immune system attacks. While the conditions often cause systemic issues, there is usually one main organ system that the autoimmune system responds to.
There are many types of autoimmune diseases with differences in their development or progression, which results in widespread symptoms. Its important to note that an autoimmune disease diagnosis does not mean there is no hope. Autoimmune diseases vary from symptom to symptom and person to person, so depending on how you manage your diagnosis, you may have the opportunity to reclaim your health and your life. However, its important to understand that antibodies are usually always present and may flare up on occasion.
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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.
How Is Ra Treated
RA can be effectively treated and managed with medication and self-management strategies. Treatment for RA usually includes the use of medications that slow disease and prevent joint deformity, called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs biological response modifiers are medications that are an effective second-line treatment. In addition to medications, people can manage their RA with self-management strategies proven to reduce pain and disability, allowing them to pursue the activities important to them. People with RA can relieve pain and improve joint function by learning to use five simple and effective arthritis management strategies.
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Neurovascular Unit And Vasohemodynamics
Diagram of the neurovascular unit in modulating vasohemodynamics. The neurovascular unit at the level of the cerebral microvasculature including the arterioles and capillaries is comprised of endothelial cells, smooth muscle, astrocytes, neurons, pericytes, and is modulated by surrounding microglia and perivascular macrophages. Additionally, alterations in metabolism and inflammation can modulate astrocyte end-feet to modulate cerebral blood flow . The neurovascular unit modulates blood flow throughout the brain and is regulated by energy needs of the surrounding cells and the vasoconstrictive, such as catecholamines and dopamine, and vasodilative factors, such as IL-1, TNF-, and adenosine, that are released by these cells. Pro-inflammatory molecules tend to be vasodilative, reduce vascular resistance, and increase cerebral CBF, while monoamines released by neurons have both vasodilative and vasoconstrictive properties, which can influence blood flow. Vasoconstrictive substances typically increase vascular resistance and reduce CBF.
What Questions Might A Healthcare Provider Ask To Help Diagnose An Autoimmune Disease
When your healthcare provider interviews you, they might ask you one or more of the following questions:
- What medications are you taking?
- What are your symptoms?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- Have you had to go to the emergency department because of your symptoms?
- How long have you had these symptoms?
- In what ways are your symptoms affecting your quality of life?
- Is there anything that triggers your symptoms? Anything that makes them worse?
- Is there a history of autoimmune diseases in your family?
- Which autoimmune diseases run in your family?
- What over-the-counter or alternative medicines have you tried, if any?
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What Are The Risk Factors For Myasthenia Gravis
As is the case with other autoimmune diseases, MG has risk factors that are not well understood.
MG is considered a sporadic disease, meaning it can strike anyone, at any time. It can occur in people of all ethnic backgrounds and ages, but tends to be more common among women younger than 40, and men older than 60.
Autoimmune Disease And The Nem Stress Response
From a big picture perspective, an autoimmune disease and a disrupted stress response can affect almost every system of the body. The NeuroEndoMetabolic Stress response regulates your bodys overall response to stress and thus, plays a unique role in both mediating immunity and maintaining the health of metabolic and inflammatory processes. Autoimmunity and Adrenal Fatigue are closely linked to both these processes. Disruption in the NEM stress response, especially the detoxification and inflammatory circuits, creates a suitable environment for the progression of an autoimmune condition, as well as amplifying any existing adrenal and endocrine stress response issues.
It is important to remember that your body reacts to stress in a holistic way via the NEM stress response. When discussing autoimmune conditions and Adrenal Fatigue, we tend to focus on the metabolic component, one of two major components of the NEM stress response. The metabolic component is made up of the inflammatory circuit, metabolic circuit, and detoxification circuit. Under stress, ideally all three processes function synergistically to get your body ready for action by producing stress hormones, cleansing your body of unnecessary toxins, boosting your metabolism, and reducing inflammation. However, if an imbalance or issue with one of these processes exists, chronic stress can have repercussions on your entire body.
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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:
You have some power to lessen your pain! Try using imagery for 15 minutes, two or three times each day.
Vagus Nerve And Cns Inflammation
Two mechanisms whereby peripheral inflammation can enhance CNS inflammation are through leaky areas in the blood-brain-barrier and the vagus nerve . The vagus nerve, the tenth cranial nerve, is the longest nerve in the autonomic nervous system. This nerve has parasympathetic control of numerous organs that are involved in respirationincluding the lungs, heart, and diaphragmto mediate oxygen demand , which could contribute to fatigue. The vagal nerve afferents tend to relay pro-inflammatory responses cells from organs in the periphery to the CNS . These vagal efferents tend to induce anti-inflammatory responses in peripheral tissue from CNS signals.
The DMN and NTS are major sources of efferent motor vagal input. Longer preganglionic cholinergic neurons communicate with postganglionic neurons in closer proximity and within tissues of the viscera to induce anti-inflammatory signals . Acetylcholine released from neurons interacts with muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and utilizes the DMN, NTS, nucleus ambiguus , and the vagal efferent nerve to alter heart rate, gluconeogenesis, and bronchial constriction . Consequently, these physiological effects could potentially affect fatigue-like behaviors.
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