Characterized as a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its healthy cells, autoimmune diseases can be both tricky to diagnose, as well as accompanied by a long list of rather dreadful symptoms.
There are over 100 known autoimmune diseases. Common ones include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Autoimmune diseases can affect many types of tissues and nearly any organ in your body. They may cause a variety of symptoms including pain, tiredness (fatigue), rashes, nausea, headaches, dizziness and more. Specific symptoms depend on the exact disease.
How Inflammation from Disease Messes with Your Weight
Inflammation is a normal immune system function to protect you from viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. Still, once the inflammatory response has done what it needs to do, the inflammation reduces, and your body is back in balance.
However, in chronic illness and autoimmune diseases, the inflammation stays in your body for an extended period. It begins to cause damage to your blood vessels, organs, and other systems in the body.
And inflammation also impacts weight gain, as it can interfere with the hormone leptin. Leptin is vital as it signals your brain to stop eating when you have had enough. When this feedback loop becomes dysfunctional due to inflammation, you tend to be more likely to overeat, causing weight gain or an inability to lose weight.
And, unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there. When your body loses the ability to respond to leptin, it is known as leptin resistance, and it can take time to reestablish your brain’s connection with this hormone. Leptin resistance is thought to be a key driver in weight gain.
And weight gain in and of itself can be inflammatory. Adipose tissue can initiate inflammation through the secretion of proinflammatory adipokines, which can lead to the infiltration of immune cells and systemic inflammation.
According to experts, certain disorders can even cause shifts in your weight. Here’s what you need to know.
Autoimmune Diseases Making You Fat
7. Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis, also called axial spondyloarthritis (AS), is a type of inflammatory disease that mainly affects the spine. Over time, the inflammation can cause some of the bones in the spine, called vertebrae, to fuse together. This fusing makes the spine less flexible and can lead to a hunched posture. If the joints in the chest are affected, it may become harder to take deep breaths.
People with AS experience chronic pain, fatigue, and stiffness. These symptoms can indirectly affect weight by reducing physical activity levels, decreasing the range of motion, and limiting daily activities.
As a result of decreased movement, calorie expenditure drops, and a person may gain weight.
Additionally, some medications used to treat AS can cause weight gain as a side effect. These include prednisone and TNF-a inhibitors.
On the flip side, some people lose weight because of AS.
AS can trigger IBD and other digestive issues that affect weight and appetite. People may find it challenging to eat a balanced diet, which can lead to unintended weight loss and malnutrition.
According to research, about 1 in 4 people with AS experience malnutrition. It is important to note that this is not a healthy or advisable way to lose weight, as it can cause serious complications, even if a person is at a “normal” body mass index (BMI).
6. Hashimoto’s disease
This chronic autoimmune disease affects the thyroid gland, causing the body to produce lower-than-normal levels of thyroid hormone. This can lead to weight gain, fatigue, constipation, and other symptoms.
How common is Hashimoto’s disease?
Hashimoto’s disease is common. It affects about 5 in 100 people in the United States.
Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in countries with widely available iodized salt and other iodine-enriched foods. Iodine deficiency is the most common cause in other countries.
Who does Hashimoto’s disease affect?
Anyone at any age can develop Hashimoto’s disease. But women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are 10 times more likely to get it than men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB). Diagnosis most commonly occurs between the ages of 30 to 50 for people AFAB.
What are the symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease?
Some people with Hashimoto’s disease may not have any symptoms at first.
As the condition slowly progresses, your thyroid gland will sometimes become enlarged (a condition called goiter). Goiter is a common first sign of Hashimoto’s disease. It’s shouldn’t hurt, but it can create a feeling of fullness in your lower neck. It can make the front of your neck look swollen.
If Hashimoto’s disease leads to hypothyroidism, it can cause the following symptoms over time:
Tiredness (fatigue), lethargy and excessive sleeping.
Weight gain
Constipation
Dry skin
Feeling cold
Slower-than-normal heart rate (bradycardia)
Joint stiffness and muscle pain
Dry, brittle hair; slow hair growth; or hair loss
Low or depressed mood
Puffy eyes and face
Memory problems or difficulty concentrating
Heavy or irregular periods.
Decreased libido (sex drive)
Female infertility or male infertility
5. Celiac disease
A rare disorder, this autoimmune disease is onset by eating gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye and barley) and only affects about 1 in 100 people worldwide. When the immune system attacks cells of the small intestine, decreasing proper nutrient absorption, people can experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, headaches, achy joints and anemia. Fortunately, a doctor can screen for the disease, with a simple blood test. Then, with a few diet adjustments, relief should be right around the corner.
Symptoms of celiac disease
bloating
chronic diarrhea
constipation
gas
lactose intolerance due to damage to the small intestine
loose, greasy, bulky, and bad-smelling stools
nausea or vomiting
pain in the abdomen
4. Addison’s disease
This disease impacts the adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands), which regulate hormones like adrenaline, cortisol, and the steroids aldosterone, which help you react to stressors like major illness, regulate blood pressure and burn protein and fat. When the adrenal glands don’t produce enough of these hormones, it can reduce appetite and create a feeling of nausea, in turn, resulting in sudden weight loss.
Symptoms of Addison’s disease
fatigue (lack of energy or motivation)
lethargy (abnormal drowsiness or tiredness)
muscle weakness
low mood (mild depression) or irritability
loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss
the need to urinate frequently
increased thirst
craving for salty foods
3. Type 1 diabetes
Not to be confused with Type 2 Diabetes, Type 1 affects 29 million Americans, only about 1.25 million, which occurs when the immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. Because insulin plays a vital role in how your body uses and stores glucose for energy, many people with undiagnosed type 1 diabetes experience unexplained weight loss. Common symptoms associated with this disease may include:
excessive thirst
frequent urination
fatigue
nervousness
shakiness
blurred vision
high blood pressure
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis
While weight gain isn’t exactly a symptom of RA, it’s common for persons with the ailment to slowly pack on pounds. This occurs when the steroids commonly used to reduce inflammation, cause weight gain and water retention instead; resulting in tender joints, stiffness, and fatigue—making it difficult to maintain normal activity.
Symptoms of RA
Pain or aching in more than one joint
Stiffness in more than one joint
Tenderness and swelling in more than one joint
The same symptoms on both sides of the body (such as in both hands or both knees)
Weight loss
Fever
Fatigue or tiredness
Weakness
1. Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Typically grouped together, these inflammatory bowel diseases are caused by an abnormal immune response. While ulcerative colitis only affects the colon, Crohn’s can wreak havoc on any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Both disorders may cause changes in the eyes, mouth, and skin, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even weight loss, due to an inability (or lack of desire) to eat. According to a 2007 study, Crohn’s sufferers also experience a higher frequency of kidney stones, when compared to the rest of the population.
Symptoms of celiac disease
bloating
chronic diarrhea
constipation
gas
lactose intolerance due to damage to the small intestine
loose, greasy, bulky, and bad-smelling stools
nausea or vomiting
pain in the abdomen
