Source :NEWS18 NEWS
Last Updated:May 25, 2025, 19:14 IST
With the right support and intervention at the right time, living well with an autoimmune disease is absolutely a possible result
Autoimmune diseases are occasionally hard to diagnose and usually consist of some combination of symptoms assessment, blood work, and full medical history
Autoimmune diseases are increasingly becoming a serious issue of women’s health. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system identifies its own normal tissues as foreign and rejects them by damaging. Autoimmune diseases can cause chronic pain, inflammation and can also lead to damaging some of the organs. Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and thyroid diseases comes under some autoimmune diseases. Eye-catching thing is that nearly 80% of patients that suffer from these are women. Autoimmune diseases are turning into a highly serious problem nowadays- particularly among women. Autoimmune diseases take place when our body’s immune system identifies its healthy tissues as foreign and starts fighting against them.
Dr. Preeti Rastogi, Director & HOD, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Medanta, Gurugram shares all you need to know:
Recommended Stories
Why Do Autoimmune Disorders Affect Women More?
Research is still going on to find the cause of why women are more likely to get autoimmune diseases, but some of them are suspected. The biggest one amongst them are hormones.
Hormones, and especially estrogen, can increase the body’s immune function and increase the chances that immune function will not respond normally. When two Xs and both Xs have immunity controlling genes, which could increase the chances an abnormal immune response will occur. Hormones shift throughout the normal woman life cycle which includes puberty, pregnancy and menopause, which leads to the shift in the timing of the symptoms or escalation of autoimmune symptoms. Furthermore, this shows how important it is for a woman to recognize any variation in their health during the same phases of life.
Autoimmune diseases usually begin gradually, and the symptoms may just be mistaken for exhaustion or the consequences of a busy way of life. However, do not disregard symptoms that are persistent or interrupting normal functioning. Some of the early symptoms that need to be vigilant for are:
• Chronic fatigue, even after adequate rest
• Joint stiffness or pains, especially in the morning
• Muscle numbness or weakness
• Rashes or colour alteration of the skin
• Persistent low-grade infections or fevers
• Exposed balding or hair loss
• Symptoms affecting the digestive tract, such as bloating, cramping, or diarrhea.
• Difficulty concentrating, unpredictable mood swings, heightened anxiety
If such persist for several weeks or seem to be getting worse, seeking medical advice from healthcare provider for an accurate advisor.
Diagnosis and Management
Autoimmune diseases are occasionally hard to diagnose and usually consist of some combination of symptoms assessment, blood work, and full medical history. ANA, ESR and CRP tests can indicate inflammation and immune system dysfunction. Further testing might be required, depending on the situation. While no lifetime cure for most autoimmune diseases is currently available, they can frequently be well managed. They can be treated with immunomodulating medications, as well as with supportive therapy in the form of stress reduction, dietary modification, and lifestyle modification aimed at minimizing symptoms flares.
What Women Should Keep in Mind
Early diagnosis is perhaps the strongest weapon in the management of autoimmune disease. Yet most women overlook early symptoms due to daily stresses or age. but identified and treated early, these diseases are far simpler to treat and less likely to cause long-term complications.
Women need to empower themselves to prioritize their own health. Paying attention to your body, listening for when something doesn’t feel right, and seeking the guidance of experts can make a world of difference. With the right support and intervention at the right time, living well with an autoimmune disease is absolutely a possible result.
- First Published:
May 25, 2025, 19:14 IST
SOURCE : NEWS 18
