Understanding Autoimmune Disorder Among Women
Published in Action & Fitness Magazine Jan-Feb 2010 issue
Our immune system generates antibodies that protect from damaging substances called antigens (i.e. toxins, cancer cells, viruses, bacteria). What happens when the immune system fails to recognize the good from the bad? It will attack itself by destroying healthy body tissues—a condition is called an autoimmune disorder.
According to Virginia Ladd, the founder and executive director of the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) in the United States, more than 40 percent of women who were later diagnosed with autoimmune disorders were initially been told by their physicians that they were just too worried about their health or they were hypochondriacs. A survey showed that one in five Americans has one autoimmune disorder and that almost 22 million of these people are women. What’s alarming is that some of them took almost fifteen years of agony before getting the right diagnosis and help they needed.
Have you ever felt that your physician didn’t take your complaints seriously? Or have been told that your pains are all in your head and that the pain will disappear if you lose weight and keep an active lifestyle? In the United States, experts agree that more women have suffered this kind of scenario, and are probably not getting the right diagnosis for their health complaints.
As a woman, the best way to take charge of your health is to educate yourself on some of the commonly misdiagnosed conditions in women. Knowing the names, symptoms, and suggested treatments will empower you to speak up during check-ups. After all, information is empowerment.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
This is the most common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age; leading cause of infertility
Causes: Androgen overload due to insulin imbalance. An excess amount of insulin causes the ovaries to produce more testosterone and form cysts. Most women diagnosed with PCOS develop pre-diabetes or diabetes.
Symptoms: Irregular periods (or none at all); noticeable excess of hair on the chest, limbs, back, and face; baldness, acne, rapid and uncontrollable weight gain (more than 10 pounds in a year).
Diagnosis: So far, there’s no single test that determines PCOS. The doctor will evaluate your symptoms while ultrasound and physical exams of the reproductive organ can help spot masses and growths. Blood tests can exclude other conditions like hypothyroidism.
Treatment: There is still no cure for PCOS, ergo, the prescribed treatments deal with the symptoms and prevent infertility and heart disease. A drug called metformin can aid in weight loss and help lower testosterone production and blood glucose.
Fibromyalgia
The main characteristic of this disorder is a very painful sensation arising from muscles and joints.
Causes: The main source is still unknown, but most doctors believe that people with fibromyalgia may interpret common sensations as pain. This brain condition is called central sensitivity syndrome.
Symptoms: Pain, exhaustion, numbness that may start during early and mid-adulthood.
Diagnosis: A tender-point exam checks different parts of the body that are painful when touched despite the absence of swelling. If 11 out of 18 points are tender, the person may have fibromyalgia.
Treatment: Exercise, massages, and other stress-relief activities can help ease the pain. A prescription drug called Lyrica and other over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen and other antidepressant drugs are also helpful.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
CFS is defined by overwhelming fatigue, which is not relieved by rest and is often associated with flu-like symptoms and chronic pain.
Causes: Stress, hormonal imbalance, viral infections. In the U.S., women in their 40s and 50s are more prone to CFS due to hormonal changes and menopause.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
CFS is defined by overwhelming fatigue, which is not relieved by rest and is often associated with flu-like symptoms and chronic pain.
Causes: Stress, hormonal imbalance, viral infections. In the U.S., women in their 40s and 50s are more prone to CFS due to hormonal changes and menopause.
Symptoms: Extreme fatigue worsens after an activity; condition does not improve after rest or sleep; memory loss; difficulty in concentration; unexplained muscle pains.
Diagnosis: There are no tests that can pinpoint CFS, rather, the doctor will have to disregard other conditions that come with the same symptoms.
Treatment: Doctors suggest doing regular physical activities to improve stamina. They also recommend caffeine and alcohol reduction. In 2006, a study revealed that psychostimulants like Ritalin reduces fatigue and increases concentration. However, the treatment was experimental.
Lupus
This chronic disease that may affect any part of the body, but usually the joints, kidneys, nervous system, blood, and skin.
Causes: In the U.S., almost 90 percent of people diagnosed with lupus are women, and since most of them are diagnosed between 15 and 45, it is believed that hormones play a vital part in its development.
Lupus
This chronic disease that may affect any part of the body, but usually the joints, kidneys, nervous system, blood, and skin.
Causes: In the U.S., almost 90 percent of people diagnosed with lupus are women, and since most of them are diagnosed between 15 and 45, it is believed that hormones play a vital part in its development.
Symptoms: Fever, joint stiffness, and pain, fatigue, chest pain, memory loss, skin lesions, flares (characterized by redness and irritation on the skin surrounding the primary area of infection).
Diagnosed: Facial rashes that appear due to sunlight exposure; kidney disease; mouth sores (painless); low platelets, red blood cells or white blood cells counts; swelling of the linings around the heart of lungs. If you have at least four of the preceding symptoms, you most probably have lupus.
Treatment: Drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen, plaquenil (generic: hydroxychloroquine), and corticosteroids can address some of the symptoms. Lupus can be triggered by emotional stress and extreme physical activities, ergo, coping with lupus means balancing your activities. A diet rich in omega-3 and alpha-linolenic acid reduces inflammation.
Multiple sclerosis
MS occurs when the immune system damages the myelin—the protective covering of the nerves in the brain and the nervous system—and as a result, it affects that communication of the brain and the body.
Causes: Aside from family history, scientists agree that environmental factors like toxins and viruses may trigger the condition.
Multiple sclerosis
MS occurs when the immune system damages the myelin—the protective covering of the nerves in the brain and the nervous system—and as a result, it affects that communication of the brain and the body.
Causes: Aside from family history, scientists agree that environmental factors like toxins and viruses may trigger the condition.
Symptoms: Weakness, numbness in the limbs, dull pain, fatigue, and vision problems. The progress of the disease differs for each person. It may be disabling for some, necessitating constant assistance, while others can with a normal life with the disease.
Diagnosis: No definitive tests yet. Optical coherence tomography is sometimes used to evaluate the nerves in the retina while other available tests simply disregard other conditions. Blood tests and MRI are also used.
Treatment: Drugs like corticosteroids and interferon beta or glatiramer acetate interferon beta or glatiramer acetate are prescribed depending on the progress of the disease. Lots of rest and moderate physical activities can help improve coordination, muscle strength, balance, and strength. Heat may trigger muscle weakness, so avoid long exposure to the sun.
