What are physical health problems that go with Asperger's?

Post Reply New Topic

I've heard of some motor skills issues but other than that I don't think so. Aspergers is mostly mental, not physical.

I have often noticed that people on the autism spectrum have a number of physical health problems.

I have asthma, some cholestorol/ blood pressure problems, acid reflux and undiagnosed digestive problems. I also had poor muscle tone (possible slight CP) as a child.

I have a friend that has autisctic tendencies whom had severe digestive problems and heart problems (mostly valve related), both of which he underwent a number of surgeries for.

Another friend with AS has a cholestorol/ blood pressure problems, sleep apnea, acid reflux, migrane issues, anxiety and depression issues, metabolic syndrome amongst others.

One thing that is also common amongst all of us is obesity.

I sometimes wonder if AS symptoms are sometimes a response to these physical health problems and the discomfort that they cause. In they very least, they do probably drive our special interests to be more sedentary and non athletic in nature.

Scoliosis, Epilepsy, allergies, ear infections, and auto immune disorders are considered to be common in those with AS. I think food allergies are the most common, especially dairy products.

I have a lot in common with glider18!

I have: frequent migraines, ligamentous laxity leading to pseudo flat feet, mild scoliosis, knees turning inwards and TMA problems, occasional pain in the joints or muscles, paresthesias, irregular heart beat, tendency to get micosis and skin infections, my weight can fluctuate a lot from one day to another, by increasing or decreasing of water retention.

I don't know how related it would be, but I've had acid reflux for many years. I was also born with very low grade spina bifida which can affect the innards and lower back.

I was diagnosed with that when I was 13. But I think I was just an unhealthy and apathetic child. I remember the doctor saying that teenagers love to exercise and play sports and I gave him a look like this and said "no, no they don't". The tonic that was prescribed to me after that made me feel ill.
I'm more healthy now and find myself pacing instead of sleeping on the couch.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sounds about right, or Fibro. Not sure which, or if I have both. All I know is that I hate it.

I've wondered if I had CFS too, but after coming hear and reading other people's experiences, I'm inclined to think it's simply that dealing with ordinary day to day stuff is draining for people with processing issues.

Ulcerative colitis, asthma, hypoglycemia - not that I'm saying they're related to autism, though I understand the colitis could be.

I'm also chronically tired all the time.

Sleep problems, intestinal disorders, adrenal s**t...

I've had the same thing for many years and it got much worse about three years ago. So bad that I thought I must surely have something seriously, organically, physically wrong with me. I went to the ER. They kept me overnight for observation and did many tests. They found nothing. I then decided it must be severe undiagnosed depression. I went into therapy, my doctor even referred to me as Ms. N. After two and a half years of therapy, the nausea is GONE! My posture has also improved, not sure if the two are related. Depression can do a lot of weird stuff to you.

I get ulcers all the time from the constant stress.

That's very interesting, thanks for the info. I've also thought about it being related to anxiety and/or stress. Ulcer maybe? Who knows.

Then we should all get our butts off our seats and go to WP less

Obesity? Really?

I'm very sedentary, and I still have a body mass index of 18.9, about 0.4 away from being underweight.

I will probably go right under since I've started exercising properly again.

Maybe there is something to the common physical ailments, I have many of them too:

IBS
Sleep apnea
Flat feet
Pronation (my feet point inwards)
My jaw clicks (not full TMJ, but maybe close)
Hayfever - completely dehabiliating in the fall (thank goodness for Claritin-D)
Overall large muscle weakness
Severe motion sickness while reading in a car
Mouth breather - I can't really breathe through my nose very well

On the good side:
Never have had a headache
High pain threshhold
Excellent vision - 20/14
Don't understand why people drink alcohol - doesn't really do much for me
Excellent hand/eye coordination

And after reading about this today, I realized I can't balance on one foot with my eyes closed. Eyes open, no problem