Autoimmune Diseases: A Serious Health Concern For All 20-Somethings

Crohn’s Disease

Joyful Belly

Crohn’s disease is one of the most common autoimmune conditions in people aged fifteen to thirty. The bowel condition is characterized by inflammation, pain, and bleeding of the digestive tract. Unlike ulcerative colitis, a similar autoimmune disease that affects the colon, Crohn’s disease can occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Symptoms include bloating, mouth sores, diarrhea, gut pain and intestinal bleeding. It is commonly diagnosed with a colonoscopy.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that affects the central nervous system, or the brain and the spinal cord. It is characterized by excessive inflammation and damage to the coating of nerves. It is the most common neurological condition in the younger population. Symptoms include muscle pain and weakness, especially in the legs, numbness in the extremities, loss of vision, depression, and tremors. In many cases, multiple sclerosis leads to paralysis or the inability to walk and use the legs.