Nadiya Hussain has urged people to “know when you need to stop” after recently sharing she’d been diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases. The much-loved winner of ‘The Great British Bake Off’ opened up about her health journey last year.
In a heartfelt Instagram video, Nadiya said: “Over the course of two years, I’ve been quite unwell. I’ve just been getting quite sick. And over the course of the two years, I’ve been diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases, which I’m not going to go into now.”
She continued: “I will go into in the future when I know more about it and when I have a better handle on it and when I understand it a little bit better. But till then, like I cannot express, like I cannot express the importance of listening to your body, of taking care of yourself.”
Nadiya has since shared a health update, talking about her shock diagnosis in a new interview with Prima. “My [autoimmune disease] is a lifelong thing,” said the TV chef. “It’s something that I will live with forever and it’s something that I will have to deal with forever.
“But I’m very lucky, because I have really amazing support at home.” She added: “If I think about how hard I’ve worked over the past nine years, I think that stress and exhaustion is a huge part in my diagnosis of illness that I’ve had over the past year.”
She also stressed the importance of prioritising self-care and recognising when to take a step back, reports the Mirror. Nadiya said: “My best advice to anyone is to learn to look out for yourself and know when you need to stop.”
Autoimmune diseases occur when antibodies mistakenly target healthy tissues and organs. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, common autoimmune diseases include type 1 diabetes, thyroid diseases, psoriasis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Common symptoms of autoimmune disease include fatigue, joint pain and swelling, skin issues, abdominal pain or digestive problems, recurring fever, and swollen glands. While these symptoms are often associated with other common conditions and don’t necessarily indicate an autoimmune disease, it’s essential to consult your GP if you notice new symptoms or have any concerns.