The immune system prevents diseases and infections by fighting off germs that enter the body. In some people, however, the immune system attacks healthy cells, tissues, and organs by perceiving them as a threat. This condition is known as an autoimmune disease. Experts have recognized over 80 types of autoimmune diseases that can affect any part of the human body. Generally, autoimmune diseases are incurable, with symptoms showing up in flares and requiring lifelong management. Recognizing some lesser-known autoimmune diseases To begin treatment for an autoimmune disease, it is important to get the right diagnosis. Knowing the common and lesser-known symptoms of some autoimmune diseases can help in the process. Hemolytic anemia Hemolytic anemia is an autoimmune blood condition where the body’s red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced. It may be inherited from one’s parents or acquired due to an infection, tumor, cancer, or other autoimmune disorders. Symptoms of hemolytic anemia include loss of appetite, irritability, headaches, lack of color in the skin, jaundice, dark-colored urine, fever, weakness, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, enlarged spleen and liver, tachycardia, and heart murmur. Other symptoms may also include brittle nails, pica syndrome, sore or inflamed tongue, mouth ulcers, abnormal menstrual bleeding, loss of sexual desire, and numbness in the hands and feet.

Headaches are a common type of body discomfort resulting from nervous system disorders. It is a pain in any part of your head that gives a pulsating sensation. The magnitude of the pain can vary from mild to sharp and can either be a throbbing sensation or a constant feeling. There are several kinds of headaches, including tension headaches, migraine, cluster headaches, and more. Of these, migraine symptoms vary from the other headache types. Warning signs of headaches Though it may appear normal, frequent head pains may also indicate any underlying health condition, so it is necessary to keep a check on them. Keep reading to learn more about warning signs of headaches that must be addressed soon. Pain and high fever A headache accompanied by pain may indicate an infection. If there is a stiff neck, a high fever, and various neurological signs, doctors may diagnose it as Meningitis, a severe health condition. When a person experiences these symptoms, it is advised to consult a physician at the earliest for prompt treatment. Also, self-diagnosis is not safe and advised if you are experiencing headaches for a very long time or suffering from severe pain. Sudden severe headache It is also recognized as the thunderclap headache, appearing suddenly and turning severe soon.

Around one in seven individuals worldwide suffer from migraine. It is a severe headache that affects one side of the head, usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting. While migraine can be caused due to several reasons, increased sensitivity to smells, or osmophobia, is a prevalent trigger. It is not clear why some are sensitive to specific smells and develop headaches. Below are a few odors that can trigger migraines and ways to manage the condition: Which odors can trigger migraines? Smells are just as powerful a trigger for migraine as sleep deprivation. The most prevalent smells that can lead to migraine are gasoline, car exhaust, perfumes, pesticides, asphalt, nail polish, cooking steam, and detergents. However, it can take over 15 minutes for a person to develop symptoms after exposure to a problematic odor.  Why do smells trigger migraines? As mentioned, hypersensitivity to these smells is the cause of the problem. Experts suggest that increased sensitivity may be linked to a smaller olfactory bulb, a brain receptor responsible for processing odors. Studies show that people with migraines have a relatively tinier olfactory bulb than others.  How to manage migraines? Migraines caused due to osmophobia can be extremely painful and unpleasant. Many individuals report feeling disgusted by the smell of food being cooked and repelled by raw food.