Healthy Weight

Healthy Weight

What is a healthy weight? The answer is different for everyone. But it’s important to know what a healthy weight is for you. Check out our top questions and answers on weight, weight gain, and weight loss. And talk to your doctor or nurse about your weight goals. Women often gain and lose weight differently, so the steps you need to take to lose weight may be different from the steps someone else needs to take.

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How do I know if I have overweight or obesity?

You can use the body mass index (BMI) to find out whether your weight is in a healthy or unhealthy range. BMI is a tool to estimate body fat. Find your BMI by typing your height and weight into this BMI calculator from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Women with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight.
• Women with a BMI of 30 or more have obesity.

BMI gives you a good idea of how healthy your weight is. But it doesn’t tell the whole story. BMI is less accurate in some people than in others. For example, if you are very muscular, you may be healthy even if your BMI is above 25. This is because muscle weighs more than fat.

Another way to figure out if you have a healthy weight is to measure your waist circumference (the distance around your waist). Researchers and doctors have agreed that women with a waist circumference larger than 35 inches are at higher risk for many health problems caused by overweight or obesity.2

What causes obesity?

People develop obesity when their body stores more calories than it uses over time. Your body needs calories (and essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients) to work properly and to be active. But if your body stores more calories than it uses, you will gain weight.

Researchers know that a person's environment over a lifetime can influence whether obesity happens. While it's true that the food you eat is an important part of weight gain or loss, other parts of your life that you do not control can make obesity more likely. Learn more about how where you live affects weight.

How common are overweight and obesity?

Overweight and obesity are very common in the United States. More than 2 in 3 women in the United States older than 20 have overweight or obesity.1

Does overweight and obesity affect some women more than others? 

Women of all ages, races, and ethnicities have overweight and obesity. But overweight and obesity are more common among some groups:

• About 4 in 5 black or African-American women have overweight or obesity.1
• More than 3 in 4 Hispanic or Latina women have overweight or obesity.1
• Lesbians and bisexual women are more likely to have overweight or obesity than heterosexual women.3

Many factors play a role in overweight and obesity, including your family background and events in the past and the place where you live.

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you are worried about your weight. There are some risk factors for overweight and obesity that you can't control. But your doctor or nurse may recommend eating habits and physical activity to help you reach a healthier weight. Also, some medicines can cause weight gain or make it difficult to lose weight. If you think your medicine is affecting your weight, talk to your doctor or nurse. You may be able to try a different medicine.

What individual factors unique to me can make it more likely that I'll gain weight?

Obesity is a complex disease that is the result of many different parts of a person's life that happen over a long period of time. Things that can affect your weight include:

• Genes and family background. Obesity tends to run in families. But there is not one “fat” gene. There are many genes that may work together to make you more likely to gain weight. The situation you live in also affects your genes. When you are a baby or young child, your parents or caregivers control your eating and physical activity. This family background can influence your weight as an adult.
• Metabolism. People's metabolism rates (how fast your body “burns” calories) may vary for many reasons, and this can affect weight gain and loss. For instance, men usually have more muscle and less fat than women do, so men's bodies might burn more calories more quickly. A woman's metabolism may change throughout her life, such as with the hormonal changes that happen during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.
• Age. Your metabolism may slow down as you get older. Also, as we age, we lose muscle. With less muscle to burn calories, we need fewer calories.
• Trauma. Many events in the past that you didn't have control over and are not your fault can affect when and how quickly you gain weight. Women who experience serious, negative events during childhood, such as abuse or a parent with a problem with alcohol or drugs, are more likely to have obesity as adults.4,5 Researchers have found that girls who are sexually abused may be more likely to gain weight faster as young adults and develop obesity at a younger age.6,7 Also, women who experience a traumatic event at any time and develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be more likely to gain weight quickly after the traumatic event and develop obesity.8
• Medicines. Many of the medicines that women take every day, including medicines for mental health conditions, sleep, and high blood pressure, can cause weight gain or make it difficult to lose weight. If you take any prescription medicine and have extra weight, talk to the doctor or nurse who prescribed the medicine about the best ways to safely lose weight and possible alternatives to that prescription medicine.
• Sleep. Not getting enough high-quality sleep can lead to weight gain.9 Researchers think this may be because low-quality sleep can affect your hormone levels, which can affect your appetite and food choices. Not getting enough sleep to feel rested may also affect how much physical activity or exercise you get throughout the day.10

How can the place where I live make it more likely that I'll gain weight?

Many parts of our everyday lives may make weight gain very common. These include:

• Neighbourhoods. How easy or safe is it to walk and be physically active? Some neighbourhoods don't have sidewalks or parks. It may not be safe to walk around outside in other neighbourhoods. Some places where people live have so much traffic that it may be difficult for people with disabilities to get around outside.
• Healthy food availability. Are healthy food options close to where you live, work, or go to school? Many people do not have low-cost, healthy food options where they live. Some people live near many fast-food restaurants but no grocery stores. 
• Pollution. Is there air pollution or other pollution where you live? Some researchers found that air pollution, including secondhand smoke, is linked to obesity. Some researchers think that chemicals from pollution in the food we eat can lead to obesity in the United States. Sometimes living close to highways or other busy roads may increase your chances of obesity.

What are the health effects for women who are at an unhealthy weight?

Overweight and obesity indirectly cause millions of deaths each year.Having overweight or obesity raises your risk for many serious health problems:

• Breathing problems. Women who have overweight or obesity may develop sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing briefly or to take shallow breaths while you sleep. It may be caused by fat in the neck that narrows the airways. People with sleep apnea do not get enough oxygen to their brain or body during sleep. This can cause many health problems, including heart disease.
• Many types of cancer. Women who have overweight or obesity are more at risk for 13 different kinds of cancer: breast, colon and rectal, endometrial, gallbladder, stomach, esophagus (throat), liver, kidney, meningioma (cancer of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord), multiple myeloma (cancer of blood plasma cells), pancreatic, ovarian, and thyroid cancers.
• Diabetes. Extra weight makes you twice as likely to get diabetes. Weight loss can prevent diabetes. It can also help control blood glucose if you already have diabetes and make you less likely to need medicine to control diabetes.
• Heart disease. The more excess weight you have, the higher your risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death of women in the United States. This is true even if you have no other health conditions that raise your risk of heart disease. Learn more about how overweight and obesity affect your risk for heart disease.
• High blood pressure. Compared with women who do not have overweight or obesity, women with overweight are twice as likely to have high blood pressure. Women with obesity are three times as likely to have it.19 Losing weight helps reduce blood pressure. High blood pressure damages your arteries and can lead to many other serious health problems such as stroke and heart disease.
• High cholesterol. Excess fat sends chemical signals that change how your body processes food. It raises LDL (bad) cholesterol and lowers HDL (good) cholesterol. This speeds the buildup of fatty plaque in our arteries. Losing weight can help get cholesterol to healthy levels. High LDL cholesterol can cause heart disease and other serious health problems.
• Pregnancy problems. If you have overweight or obesity, it may be more difficult to get pregnant. Overweight and obesity can also cause complications during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes or dangerously high blood pressure. Obesity can also cause a more serious condition called preeclampsia. Getting early and regular prenatal care can help you and your doctor be aware of any problems and help prevent them.
• Stroke. Having overweight or obesity increases your risk of stroke, especially when you carry extra body fat around your waist (apple-shaped body) rather than around your hips and thighs (pear-shaped body). Learn more about how excess weight can raise your risk for stroke.

Even a small amount of weight loss (3% to 5% of your body weight or less) can help lower your risk for these health problems. If you are a 160-pound woman, losing just 5 to 8 pounds, or 3% to 5% of your body weight, can make you healthier. Talk to your doctor or nurse about your risk and how much weight you may need to lose.

Does it matter where on my body I carry the weight?

 

Yes. Where you carry your weight makes a difference in your health. Belly fat is more dangerous for your health than fat carried elsewhere.

Apple-shaped and pear-shaped body types

Some women tend to carry fat in the belly area (apple-shaped). Other women tend to carry fat in their hips and thighs (pear-shaped). Extra weight is never healthy, but being apple-shaped increases your risk for certain health problems, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal cancer, more than being pear-shaped does.

That is because the type of fat your body stores in your abdomen, near your stomach, is different from the type of fat stored in your thighs and hips.

BMI tells you about how much fat you have on your body, but it does not show where you carry your weight. To measure your waist size, stand up straight and place a tape measure around your middle, just above your hip bones. Measure your waist just after you breathe out.

Most women should aim for a waist size of less than 35 inches.

Of course, this does not mean that if you carry your weight in your hips you should not worry. It's important for all women ― no matter where you carry your weight ― to be physically active and eat healthy to lower your risk for health problems.

When should I talk to a doctor or nurse about my weight?

If you are worried about your weight, or if you have overweight or obesity, talk to your doctor or nurse. Your weight can raise your risk for many health problems and make it harder to get pregnant.

Your doctor or nurse may suggest healthy eating changes and more physical activity to help you reach a healthy weight.

Sources

1. 1.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). (2018). Health, United States, 2017: With Chartbook on Long-term Trends in Health, Table 58. Hyattsville, MD.
2. 2.Flint, A.J., Rexrode, K.M., Hu, F.B., Glynn, R.J., Caspard, H., Manson, J.E., et al. (2010). Body mass index, waist circumference, and risk of coronary heart disease: a prospective study among men and women. Obesity Research and Clinical Practice; 4(3): e171-e181.
3. 3.Newlin Lew, K., Dorsen, C., Melkus, G. D., & Maclean, M. (2018). Prevalence of obesity, prediabetes, and diabetes in sexual minority women of diverse races/ethnicities: Findings from the 2014-2015 BRFSS surveys (link is external). The Diabetes Educator; 44(4): 348-360.
4. 4.Williamson, D.F., Thompson, T.J., Anda, R.F., Dietz, W.H., Felitti, V.J. (2002). Body weight, obesity, and self-reported abuse in childhood. International Journal of Obesity; 26(8):1075–1082.
5. 5.Alvarez, J., Pavao, J., Baumrind, N., Kimerling, R. (2007). The relationship between childhood abuse and adult obesity among Californian women. American Journal of Preventive Medicine; 33(1): 28-33.
6. 6.Smith, H. A., Markovic, N., Danielson, M. E., Matthews, A., Youk, A., Talbott, E. O., et al. (2010). Sexual Abuse, Sexual Orientation, and Obesity in Women. Journal of Women's Health; 19(8): 1525-1532
7. 7.Noll, J. G., Zeller, M. H., Trickett, P. K., Putnam, F. W. (2007). Obesity Risk for Female Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Prospective Study. Pediatrics; 120(1): e61-e67.
8. 8.Kubzansky, L. D., Bordelois, P., Jun, H. J., Roberts, A. L., Cerda, M., Bluestone, N., et al. (2014). The Weight of Traumatic Stress: A Prospective Study of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Weight Status in Women. JAMA Psychiatry; 71(1): 44-51.
9. 9.Chaput, J.P., Després, J.P., Bouchard, C., Tremblay, A. (2007). Short Sleep Duration Is Associated with Reduced Leptin Levels and Increased Adiposity: Results from the Quebec Family Study. Obesity (Silver Spring); 15(1): 253-261.
10. 10.Patel, S.R. (2009). Reduced sleep as an obesity risk factor. Obesity Reviews, 10 (Supplement 2): 61–68.
11. 11.Moore, B. F., Clark, M. L., Bachand, A., Reynolds, S. J., Nelson, T. L., & Peel, J. L. (2016). Interactions between diet and exposure to secondhand smoke on the prevalence of childhood obesity: Results from NHANES, 2007–2010. Environmental Health Perspectives, 124(8), 1316–1322.
12. 12.Kermah, D., Shaheen, M., Pan, D., & Friedman, T. C. (2017). Association between secondhand smoke and obesity and glucose abnormalities: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1999–2010). BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, 5(1), e000324.
13. 13.Zong, G., Grandjean, P., Wu, H., Sun, Q. (2015). Circulating Persistent Organic Pollutants and Body Fat Distribution: Evidence from NHANES 1999–2004. Obesity (Silver Spring); 23(9): 1903-1910
14. 14.Wang, Y., Hollis-Hansen, K., Ren, X., Qiu, Y., and Qu, W. (2016). Do environmental pollutants increase obesity risk in humans? Obesity Reviews, 17: 1179–1197.
15. 15.The Global BMI Mortality Collaboration. (2016). Body-mass index and all-cause mortality: individual-participant-data meta-analysis of 239 prospective studies in four continents (link is external). Lancet; 388(10046): 776-786
16. 16.Aune, D., Sen, A., Prasad, M., Norat, T., Janszky, I., Tonstad, S., et al. (2016). BMI and all cause mortality: systemic review and non-linear dose-response meta-analysis of 230 cohort studies with 3.74 million participants (link is external). BMJ; 353: i2156.
17. 17.Drager, L.F., Togeiro, S.M., Polotsky, V.Y., Lorenzi-Filho, G. (2013). Obstructive sleep apnea: A cardiometabolic risk in obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Journal of the American College of Cardiology; 62(7): 569–576.
18. 18.Steele, C.B., Thomas, C.C., Henley, S.J., Massetti, G.M., Galuska, D. A., et al. (2017). Vital Signs: Trends in Incidence of Cancers Associated with Overweight and Obesity ― United States, 2005–2014 (link is external). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR); 66(39):1052–1058.
19. 19.Janssen, I., Katzmarzyk, P.T, Ross, R. (2002). Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, and Health Risk: Evidence in Support of Current National Institutes of Health Guidelines. Archives of Internal Medicine;162(18): 2074-2079.
20. 20.Wilson, P.W., D'Agostino, R.B., Sullivan, L., Parise, H., Kannel, W.B. (2002). Overweight and Obesity as Determinants of Cardiovascular Risk: The Framingham Experience. Archives of Internal Medicine; 162(16): 1867-1872.
21. 21.Folsom, A.R., Kushi, L.H., Anderson, K.E., Mink, P.J., Olson, J.E., Hong, C.P., et al. (2000). Associations of General and Abdominal Obesity with Multiple Health Outcomes in Older Women: The Iowa Women's Health Study. Archives of Internal Medicine; 160(14): 2117-2128.

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Autoimmune diseases

  

Our bodies have an immune system, which is a complex network of special cells and organs that defends the body from germs and other foreign invaders. Many diseases of the immune system, also known as autoimmune diseases, are more common in women than in men. Learn about the different types of autoimmune diseases that affect women.

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What are autoimmune diseases?

Our bodies have an immune system, which is a complex network of special cells and organs that defends the body from germs and other foreign invaders. At the core of the immune system is the ability to tell the difference between self and nonself: what's you and what's foreign. A flaw can make the body unable to tell the difference between self and non self. When this happens, the body makes autoantibodies (AW-toh-AN-teye-bah-deez) that attack normal cells by mistake. At the same time, special cells called regulatory T cells fail to do their job of keeping the immune system in line. The result is a misguided attack on your own body. This causes the damage we know as autoimmune disease. The body parts that are affected depend on the type of autoimmune disease. There are more than 80 known types.

How common are autoimmune diseases?

Overall, autoimmune diseases are common, affecting more than 23.5 million Americans. They are a leading cause of death and disability. Some autoimmune diseases are rare, while others, such as Hashimoto's disease, affect many people.

Who gets autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune diseases can affect anyone. Yet certain people are at greater risk, including:

• Women of childbearing age ― More women than men have autoimmune diseases, which often start during their childbearing years.
• People with a family history ― Some autoimmune diseases run in families, such as lupus and multiple sclerosis. It is also common for different types of autoimmune diseases to affect different members of a single family. Inheriting certain genes can make it more likely to get an autoimmune disease. But a combination of genes and other factors may trigger the disease to start.
• People who are around certain things in the environment ― Certain events or environmental exposures may cause some autoimmune diseases, or make them worse. Sunlight, chemicals called solvents, and viral and bacterial infections are linked to many autoimmune diseases.
• People of certain races or ethnic backgrounds ― Some autoimmune diseases are more common or affect certain groups of people more severely. For instance, type 1 diabetes is more common in white people. Lupus is most severe for African-American and Hispanic people.

What autoimmune diseases affect women, and what are their symptoms?

The diseases listed here either are more common in women than men or affect many women and men. They are listed in alphabetical order.

Although each disease is unique, many share hallmark symptoms, such as fatigue, dizziness, and low-grade fever. For many autoimmune diseases, symptoms come and go, or can be mild sometimes and severe at others. When symptoms go away for a while, it's called remission. Flares are the sudden and severe onset of symptoms.

Types of autoimmune diseases and their symptoms

Disease	Symptoms
Alopecia areata (Al-uh-PEE-shuh AR-ee-AYT-uh) The immune system attacks hair follicles (the structures from which hair grows). It usually does not threaten health, but it can greatly affect the way a person looks.	Patchy hair loss on the scalp, face, or other areas of your body
Antiphospholipid (an-teye-FOSS-foh-lip-ihd) antibody syndrome (aPL) A disease that causes problems in the inner lining of blood vessels resulting in blood clots in arteries or veins.	Blood clots in veins or arteries Multiple miscarriages Lacy, net-like red rash on the wrists and knees
Autoimmune hepatitis The immune system attacks and destroys the liver cells. This can lead to scarring and hardening of the liver, and possibly liver failure.	Fatigue Enlarged liver Yellowing of the skin or whites of eyes Itchy skin Joint pain Stomach pain or upset
Celiac disease A disease in which people can't tolerate gluten, a substance found in wheat, rye, and barley, and also some medicines. When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products that have gluten, the immune system responds by damaging the lining of the small intestines.	Abdominal bloating and pain Diarrhea or constipation Weight loss or weight gain Fatigue Missed menstrual periods Itchy skin rash Infertility or miscarriages
Diabetes type 1 A disease in which your immune system attacks the cells that make insulin, a hormone needed to control blood sugar levels. As a result, your body cannot make insulin. Without insulin, too much sugar stays in your blood. High blood sugar can hurt the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and gums and teeth. But the most serious problem caused by diabetes is heart disease.	Being very thirsty Urinating often Feeling very hungry or tired Losing weight without trying Having sores that heal slowly Dry, itchy skin Losing the feeling in your feet or having tingling in your feet Having blurry eyesight
Graves' disease (overactive thyroid) A disease that causes the thyroid to make too much thyroid hormone.	Insomnia Irritability Weight loss Heat sensitivity Sweating Fine brittle hair Muscle weakness Light menstrual periods Bulging eyes Shaky hands Sometimes there are no symptoms
Guillain-Barre (GEE-yahn bah-RAY) syndrome The immune system attacks the nerves that connect your brain and spinal cord with the rest of your body. Damage to the nerves makes it hard for them to transmit signals. As a result, the muscles have trouble responding to the brain.	Weakness or tingling feeling in the legs that might spread to the upper body Paralysis in severe cases Symptoms often progress relatively quickly, over a period of days or weeks, and often occur on both sides of the body.
Hashimoto's (hah-shee-MOH-tohz) disease (underactive thyroid) A disease that causes the thyroid to not make enough thyroid hormone.	Fatigue Weakness Weight gain Sensitivity to cold Muscle aches and stiff joints Facial swelling Constipation
Hemolytic anemia (HEE-moh-lit-ihk uh-NEE-mee-uh) The immune system destroys the red blood cells. Yet the body can't make new red blood cells fast enough to meet the body's needs. As a result, your body does not get the oxygen it needs to function well, and your heart must work harder to move oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.	Fatigue Shortness of breath Dizziness Headache Cold hands or feet Paleness Yellowish skin or whites of eyes Heart problems, including heart failure
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (id-ee-oh-PATH-ihk throm-boh-seye-toh-PEE-nik PUR-pur-uh) (ITP) A disease in which the immune system destroys blood platelets, which are needed for blood to clot.	Very heavy menstrual period Tiny purple or red dots on the skin that might look like a rash. Easy bruising Nosebleed or bleeding in the mouth
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) A disease that causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Crohn's (krohnz) disease and ulcerative colitis (UHL-sur-uh-tiv koh-LEYE-tuhss) are the most common forms of IBD.	Abdominal pain Diarrhea, which may be bloody Some people also have: Rectal bleeding Fever Weight loss Fatigue Mouth ulcers (in Crohn's disease) Painful or difficult bowel movements (in ulcerative colitis)
Inflammatory myopathies (meye-OP-uh-theez) A group of diseases that involve muscle inflammation and muscle weakness. Polymyositis (pol-ee-meye-uh-SYT-uhss) and dermatomyositis (dur-muh-toh-meye-uh-SYT-uhss) are 2 types more common in women than men.	Slow but progressive muscle weakness beginning in the muscles closest to the trunk of the body. Polymyositis affects muscles involved with making movement on both sides of the body. With dermatomyositis, a skin rash comes before or at the same time as muscle weakness. May also have: Fatigue after walking or standing Tripping or falling Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Multiple sclerosis (MUHL-tip-uhl sklur-OH-suhss) (MS) A disease in which the immune system attacks the protective coating around the nerves. The damage affects the brain and spinal cord.	Weakness and trouble with coordination, balance, speaking, and walking Paralysis Tremors Numbness and tingling feeling in arms, legs, hands, and feet Symptoms vary because the location and extent of each attack vary
Myasthenia gravis (meye-uhss-THEEN-ee-uh GRAV-uhss) (MG) A disease in which the immune system attacks the nerves and muscles throughout the body.	Double vision, trouble keeping a steady gaze, and drooping eyelids Trouble swallowing, with frequent gagging or choking Weakness or paralysis Muscles that work better after rest Drooping head Trouble climbing stairs or lifting things Trouble talking
Primary biliary cirrhosis (BIL-ee-air-ee sur-ROH-suhss) The immune system slowly destroys the liver's bile ducts. Bile is a substance made in the liver. It travels through the bile ducts to help with digestion. When the ducts are destroyed, the bile builds up in the liver and hurts it. The damage causes the liver to harden and scar, and eventually stop working.	Fatigue Itchy skin Dry eyes and mouth Yellowing of skin and whites of eyes
Psoriasis (suh-REYE-uh-suhss) A disease that causes new skin cells that grow deep in your skin to rise too fast and pile up on the skin surface.	Thick red patches, covered with scales, usually appearing on the head, elbows, and knees Itching and pain, which can make it hard to sleep, walk, and care for yourself May have: A form of arthritis that often affects the joints and the ends of the fingers and toes. Back pain can occur if the spine is involved.
Rheumatoid arthritis (ROO-muh-toid ar-THREYE-tuhss) A disease in which the immune system attacks the lining of the joints throughout the body.	Painful, stiff, swollen, and deformed joints Reduced movement and function May have: Fatigue Fever Weight loss Eye inflammation Lung disease Lumps of tissue under the skin, often the elbows Anemia
Scleroderma (sklair-oh-DUR-muh) A disease causing abnormal growth of connective tissue in the skin and blood vessels.	Fingers and toes that turn white, red, or blue in response to heat and cold Pain, stiffness, and swelling of fingers and joints Thickening of the skin Skin that looks shiny on the hands and forearm Tight and mask-like facial skin Sores on the fingers or toes Trouble swallowing Weight loss Diarrhea or constipation Shortness of breath
Sjögren's (SHOH-grins) syndrome A disease in which the immune system targets the glands that make moisture, such as tears and saliva.	Dry eyes or eyes that itch Dryness of the mouth, which can cause sores Trouble swallowing Loss of sense of taste Severe dental cavities Hoarse voice Fatigue Joint swelling or pain Swollen glands Cloudy eyes
Systemic lupus erythematosus (LOO-puhss ur-ih-thee-muh-TOH-suhss) A disease that can damage the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, and other parts of the body. Also called SLE or lupus.	Fever Weight loss Hair loss Mouth sores Fatigue "Butterfly" rash across the nose and cheeks Rashes on other parts of the body Painful or swollen joints and muscle pain Sensitivity to the sun Chest pain Headache, dizziness, seizure, memory problems, or change in behavior
Vitiligo (vit-ihl-EYE-goh) The immune system destroys the cells that give your skin its color. It also can affect the tissue inside your mouth and nose.	White patches on areas exposed to the sun, or on armpits, genitals, and rectum Hair turns gray early Loss of color inside your mouth

Are chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia autoimmune diseases?

Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME/CFS, and fibromyalgia (feye-broh-meye-AL-juh) (FM) are not autoimmune diseases. But they often have symptoms of some autoimmune disease, like being tired all the time and pain.

• ME/CFS can cause you to be very tired, have trouble concentrating, feel weak, and have muscle pain. Symptoms of ME/CFS come and go. The cause of ME/CFS is not known.
• FM is a disorder in which pain or tenderness is felt in multiple places all over the body. These "tender points" are located on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs and are painful when pressure is applied to them. Other symptoms include fatigue, trouble sleeping, and morning stiffness. FM mainly occurs in women of childbearing age. But children, the elderly, and men are sometimes can also get it. The cause is not known.

How do I find out if I have an autoimmune disease?

Getting a diagnosis can be a long and stressful process. Although each autoimmune disease is unique, many share some of the same symptoms. And many symptoms of autoimmune diseases are the same for other types of health problems too. This makes it hard for doctors to find out if you really have an autoimmune disease, and which one it might be. But if you are having symptoms that bother you, it's important to find the cause. Don't give up if you're not getting any answers. You can take these steps to help find out the cause of your symptoms:

• Write down a complete family health history that includes extended family and share it with your doctor.
• Record any symptoms you have, even if they seem unrelated, and share it with your doctor.
• See a specialist who has experience dealing with your most major symptom. For instance, if you have symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, start with a gastroenterologist. Ask your regular doctor, friends, and others for suggestions.
• Get a second, third, or fourth opinion if need be. If your doctor doesn't take your symptoms seriously or tells you they are stress-related or in your head, see another doctor.

What types of doctors treat autoimmune diseases?

Juggling your health care needs among many doctors and specialists can be hard. But specialists, along with your main doctor, may be helpful in managing some symptoms of your autoimmune disease. If you see a specialist, make sure you have a supportive main doctor to help you. Often, your family doctor may help you coordinate care if you need to see one or more specialists. Here are some specialists who treat autoimmune diseases:

• Nephrologist. A doctor who treats kidney problems, such as inflamed kidneys caused by lupus. Kidneys are organs that clean the blood and produce urine.
• Rheumatologist. A doctor who treats arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, such as scleroderma and lupus.
• Endocrinologist. A doctor who treats gland and hormone problems, such as diabetes and thyroid disease.
• Neurologist. A doctor who treats nerve problems, such as multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravies.
• 
  Haematologist. A doctor who treats diseases that affect blood, such as some forms of anemia.
• Gastroenterologist. A doctor who treats problems with the digestive system, such as inflammatory bowel disease.
• Dermatologist. A doctor who treats diseases that affect the skin, hair, and nails, such as psoriasis and lupus.
• Physical therapist. A health care worker who uses proper types of physical activity to help patients with stiffness, weakness, and restricted body movement.
• Occupational therapist. A health care worker who can find ways to make activities of daily living easier for you, despite your pain and other health problems. This could be teaching you new ways of doing things or how to use special devices. Or suggesting changes to make in your home or workplace.
• Speech therapist. A health care worker who can help people with speech problems from illness such as multiple sclerosis.
• Audiologist. A health care worker who can help people with hearing problems, including inner ear damage from autoimmune diseases.
• Vocational therapist. A health care worker who offers job training for people who cannot do their current jobs because of their illness or other health problems. You can find this type of person through both public and private agencies.
• Counsellor for emotional support. A health care worker who is specially trained to help you to find ways to cope with your illness. You can work through your feelings of anger, fear, denial, and frustration.

Are there medicines to treat autoimmune diseases?

There are many types of medicines used to treat autoimmune diseases. The type of medicine you need depends on which disease you have, how severe it is, and your symptoms. Treatment can do the following:

• Relieve symptoms. Some people can use over-the-counter drugs for mild symptoms, like aspirin and ibuprofen for mild pain. Others with more severe symptoms may need prescription drugs to help relieve symptoms such as pain, swelling, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, fatigue, or rashes. For others, treatment may be as involved as having surgery.
• Replace vital substances the body can no longer make on its own. Some autoimmune diseases, like diabetes and thyroid disease, can affect the body's ability to make substances it needs to function. With diabetes, insulin injections are needed to regulate blood sugar. Thyroid hormone replacement restores thyroid hormone levels in people with under-active thyroid.
• Suppress the immune system. Some drugs can suppress immune system activity. These drugs can help control the disease process and preserve organ function. For instance, these drugs are used to control inflammation in affected kidneys in people with lupus to keep the kidneys working. Medicines used to suppress inflammation include chemotherapy given at lower doses than for cancer treatment and drugs used in patients who have had an organ transplant to protect against rejection. A class of drugs called anti-TNF medications blocks inflammation in some forms of autoimmune arthritis and psoriasis.

New treatments for autoimmune diseases are being studied all the time.

Are there alternative treatments that can help?

Many people try some form of complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) at some point in their lives. Some examples of CAM are herbal products, chiropractic, acupuncture, and hypnosis. If you have an autoimmune disease, you might wonder if CAM therapies can help some of your symptoms. This is hard to know. Studies on CAM therapies are limited. Also, some CAM products can cause health problems or interfere with how the medicines you might need work. If you want to try a CAM treatment, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Your doctor can tell you about the possible benefits and risks of trying CAM.

I want to have a baby. Does having an autoimmune disease affect pregnancy?

Women with autoimmune diseases can safely have children. But there could be some risks for the mother or baby, depending on the disease and how severe it is. For instance, pregnant women with lupus have a higher risk of preterm birth and stillbirth. Pregnant women with myasthenia gravis (MG) might have symptoms that lead to trouble breathing during pregnancy. For some women, symptoms tend to improve during pregnancy, while others find their symptoms tend to flare up. Also, some medicines used to treat autoimmune diseases might not be safe to use during pregnancy.

If you want to have a baby, talk to your doctor before you start trying to get pregnant. Your doctor might suggest that you wait until your disease is in remission or suggest a change in medicines before you start trying. You also might need to see a doctor who cares for women with high-risk pregnancies.

Some women with autoimmune diseases may have problems getting pregnant. This can happen for many reasons. Tests can tell if fertility problems are caused by an autoimmune disease or an unrelated reason. Fertility treatments are able to help some women with autoimmune disease become pregnant.

How can I manage my life now that I have an autoimmune disease?

Although most autoimmune diseases don't go away, you can treat your symptoms and learn to manage your disease, so you can enjoy life! Women with autoimmune diseases lead full, active lives. Your life goals should not have to change. It is important, though, to see a doctor who specializes in these types of diseases, follow your treatment plan, and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

How can I deal with flares?

Flares are the sudden and severe onset of symptoms. You might notice that certain triggers, such as stress or being out in the sun, cause your symptoms to flare. Knowing your triggers, following your treatment plan, and seeing your doctor regularly can help you to prevent flares or keep them from becoming severe. If you suspect a flare is coming, call your doctor. Don't try a "cure" you heard about from a friend or relative.

What are some things I can do to feel better?

If you are living with an autoimmune disease, there are things you can do each day to feel better:

• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Make sure to include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk products, and lean sources of protein. Limit saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars. If you follow a healthy eating plan, you will get the nutrients you need from food.
• Get regular physical activity. But be careful not to overdo it. Talk with your doctor about what types of physical activity you can do. A gradual and gentle exercise program often works well for people with long-lasting muscle and joint pain. Some types of yoga or tai chi exercises may be helpful.
• Get enough rest. Rest allows your body tissues and joints the time they need to repair. Sleeping is a great way you can help both your body and mind. If you don't get enough sleep, your stress level and your symptoms could get worse. You also can't fight off sickness as well when you sleep poorly. When you are well-rested, you can tackle your problems better and lower your risk for illness. Most people need at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each day to feel well-rested.
• Reduce stress. Stress and anxiety can trigger symptoms to flare up with some autoimmune diseases. So finding ways to simplify your life and cope with daily stressors will help you to feel your best. Meditation, self-hypnosis, and guided imagery, are simple relaxation techniques that might help you to reduce stress, lessen your pain, and deal with other aspects of living with your disease. You can learn to do these through self-help books, tapes, or with the help of an instructor. Joining a support group or talking with a counsellor might also help you to manage your stress and cope with your disease.

You have some power to lessen your pain! Try using imagery for 15 minutes, two or three times each day. 

1. Put on your favourite calming music.
2. Lie back on your favourite chair or sofa. Or if you are at work, sit back and relax in your chair.
3. Close your eyes.
4. Imagine your pain or discomfort.
5. Imagine something that confronts this pain and watch it "destroy" the pain.

References:  https://www.womenshealth.gov | https://phgkb.cdc.gov/ | 

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