I have multiple hidden illnesses as do most of us. It seems much like Lays potato chips you can’t have just one. My hidden illnesses include Fibromyalgia, TMJ, migraine, endometriosis, and thyroid disorder and IBS and probably one or two more that aren’t coming to me at the moment. Chances are you have a different set (or the same set with a few differences). Because we are all different, I thought we coudld all appreciate this great infographic from Burning Nights which explains a number of different hidden illnesses.

Common Hidden Illnesses Explained

Complex Regional Pain Syndreme (CRPS):  CRPS is a pain condition that usually affects one of the limbs (arms, legs, hands, or feet) after injury or trauma to that particular limb. It is believed to be caused by damage to, or malfunction of, the peripheral and central nervous system. Women are three times more likely than men to be affected by CRPS.

Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain in conjuction with difficulties concerning sleep, fatigue, and memory. It is believed that it increases painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS): EDS refers to a group of inherited disorders that affect the connective tissue (e.g. skin, joints, blood vessel walls). EDS symptoms include overly flexible skin, joints, and ligaments, and in some cases thin/ small facial features.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME): CFS/ME (also known as Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome- CFIDS) is a complex debilitating chronic condition impacting sleep and concentration, leading to a constant state of fatigue.

Depression: Depression is a mental health disorder in which the person suffers from a prolonged or on-going sense of low self-esteem and unhappiness, signifcantly affecting the person’s thinking, behavior, and emotions. Depression may be the primary illness or may be secondary to another mental or physical illness.

Lupus: Lupus is an chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. Symptoms include a face rash across the cheeks and nose (referred to as a butterfly rash). swelling of joints, fatigue, and in systemic lupus the shutdown of vital organs.

Lyme Disease: Lyme disease is a bacterial disease caused by an infected tick bite, which can affect your skin, joints, heart, and nervous system.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): RA is an autoimmune disease which causes chronic inflammation of the tissue around the joints; as well as inflammation and injury of other organs.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS): MS is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord where the immune system attacks the protective sheath covering the nerve fibers, disrupting communication between the brain and the rest of your body.

Osteoarthritis (OA): OA is a disease in which the cartilage at the joints breaks down, causing pain and swelling to affected joints, and may affect mobility. Over time the cartilage may wear down completely leading to bones rubbing against one another causing severe joint pain.