Be aware of these autoimmune conditions that can lead to weight gain or loss in us!!
Posted on: 03/Nov/2021 9:31:32 AM
It is not always that lifestyles changes and food habits could be responsible for our weight gain or loss. An underlying health issue could also play a role in making us gain or lose weight and not many of us are aware of it. It must be noted that an autoimmune disease could result in drastic fluctuations in weight in a short period of time.
When our body’s immune system starts attacking the cells and tissues that are healthy, then autoimmune disease occurs in us. Truth is that the conditions develop slowly in us and are not easily identified. By following a healthy lifestyle, autoimmune diseases can be managed or kept in control. It would not be possible to cure these autoimmune diseases completely. Unless we take steps to control the autoimmune diseases, our weights would continue to fluctuate.
Various autoimmune diseases that could result in weight gain are
Type-1 diabetes:
There are many youngsters who have type-1 diabetes in them and it is an autoimmune disease. This issue could lead to more body weight in the youngsters. Point to be noted is that pancreas in these youngsters would not be able to secrete insulin. This could lead to a spike in blood sugar levels. The glucose gets stored as fats when insulin is not produced or used efficiently. It could lead to weight gain in the person.
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Many old age persons get affected by rheumatoid arthritis or bone related conditions. Persons with this issue would have symptoms like fatigue, joint inflammation, severe joint pain etc. This autoimmune condition would cause people to lose their weight. It is said that weight loss is an indirect effect of inflammation caused because of an attack on the tissues. Truth is that inflammation could then result in fatigue and weakness and we would eat more and gain weight.
Celiac disease:
When a person with celiac disease (an autoimmune condition) consumes gluten based foods then the immune system would attack the cells of the small intestine. The foods would not be absorbed completely by these persons with celiac disease. This would make them lose weight and remain thin. The person could maintain a healthy weight by avoiding gluten based foods.
Grave’s disease:
Thyroid glands would get affected when a person has Grave’s disease, an autoimmune condition. For normal functioning of our body thyroid glands produces 3 major hormones. In those with Grave’s disease their thyroid gland over produces hormone and this would hinder the normal body functioning. It must be taken into account that the disruption in the hormone levels could lead to weight loss. Persons with this autoimmune condition would have other symptoms like fatigue, sleeping issues and trembling etc.
Addison’s disease:
When the immune system destroys a part of the adrenal gland then we could get Addison’s disease or a form of adrenal insufficiency. It is known that adrenal glands are known for making certain hormones like cortisol etc. Various symptoms of Addison’s disease are fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss etc.
