Understanding Autoimmune Diseases: Symptoms and Misconceptions

You might overlook occasional fatigue or attribute digestive problems to something you ate. Yet, your body often signals when there is a deeper issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an autoimmune disease arises when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues, causing inflammation and damage to organs or systems.

Recognizing Signs of Autoimmune Diseases

Dr. Cory Rice, an expert in adult disease prevention and treatment, warns that these symptoms can be subtle and undiagnosed for months or even years. He explained to Newsweek that symptoms may be sporadic or persistent.

In May 2025, Mayo Clinic researchers estimated that around 15 million people in the U.S. suffer from one or more of 105 autoimmune diseases. Some common ones are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, Graves’ disease, and autoimmune thyroiditis.

Early Signs of Autoimmune Conditions

Among the early clues that may indicate an autoimmune condition are:

• Fatigue
• Low-grade fever
• Joint pain
• Unexplained rashes or hives
• Dry eyes and mouth
• Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
• Mouth ulcers
• Increased sensitivity to cold

Rice noted that fatigue related to autoimmune diseases is usually profound and debilitating. Patients may seek relief through stimulants, hormones, thyroid medication, various IV therapies, or B12 injections without success.

Challenges in Diagnosis

Autoimmune diseases are difficult to diagnose because their symptoms often overlap with other conditions. Rice emphasized that symptom consistency varies based on the disease’s process and severity.

Many physicians do not routinely screen for autoimmune diseases, leading to referrals to specialists such as rheumatologists. By then, the disease may have significantly progressed in the affected bodily areas. Early diagnosis can greatly improve outcomes.

Debunking Myths About Autoimmune Diseases

Despite increased awareness, misconceptions persist. A common myth is that autoimmune diseases are rare. Nothing is further from the truth, Rice said.

Dr. Gregg Silverman, a Lupus Research Alliance-funded researcher, highlighted another belief often reported by patients: the onset of lupus following a traumatic event like a car accident. He explained that while patients may link trauma to symptom onset, it is not believed to directly trigger autoimmune diseases.

Listening to Your Body

While the listed symptoms can be worrisome, they do not automatically indicate an autoimmune disease. Many such signs, like fatigue or joint pain, are common and can have various causes.

Persistent, unusual, or worsening symptoms merit medical attention, even though experiencing some does not necessarily indicate an autoimmune condition. Consistently ignoring your body’s signals could delay necessary answers and care.

For further inquiries, contact Newsweek editors Charlotte Nisbet and Tony Phillips regarding this story.