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Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

Inflammation is a process by which the body combats infection or trauma and heals itself. Things occasionally go awry, however, and this normally beneficial mechanism may begin to treat the body’s own tissue as alien and maintain inflammation when there is no reason to do so. When not needed to fight infection or injury, inflammation is damaging to the area in which it occurs. Chronic inflammatory diseases, of which there are many, can affect every part of the body including joints, internal organ systems, skin and connective tissue.

  1. Rheumatoid Arthritis

    • The most well-known chronic inflammatory disease is probably rheumatoid arthritis, or RA. It affects the lining of joints and causes severe pain, stiffness and swelling, especially in the hands and feet. According to Mayo Clinic.com, rheumatoid arthritis occurs two to three times more often in women than men, and the age of onset is usually between 40 and 60. Treatment may consist of one or more drugs such as NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; DMARDs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; prednisone and biologic response modifiers. These are used to slow joint damage caused by inflammation.

    Inflammatory Bowel Disease

    • Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, refers to both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which are different but related diseases. They usually develop between the ages of 10 and 30. Common symptoms of both diseases are diarrhea, cramping, fever and weight loss. Ulcerative colitis confines itself to the colon and can be cured by removing the colon. Crohn’s, however, affects the entire digestive system and cannot be cured. Even so, Mayo Clinic.com states that with treatment, many Crohn’s patients do well. Medications such as anti-inflammatory and/or immunosuppressant drugs can bring the disease under control and even into remission.

    Lupus

    • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can affect skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs and/or the nervous system and typically develops in people in their 20s and 30s. It can be life-threatening when it affects the vital organs and may require aggressive treatment. Fever and fatigue are usually present along with migratory joint pain and skin rashes. A butterfly-shaped rash across the nose and cheeks is common. Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant drugs are traditional lupus therapies that can be combined with other drugs as needed to treat specific problem areas such as kidneys, heart or lungs. Most of these drugs have serious side effects, so patients and doctors must consider both risks and benefits.

    Vasculitis

    • Vasculitis is inflammation of the blood vessels. The Vasculitis Foundation lists 15 types, some of which are common only among children, while others affect adults or elderly people. Specific types are identified by the size blood vessels they affect, which can be anything from capillaries to the aorta. Since every inch of the body depends on an adequate blood supply, any body part or any organ may be affected by vasculitis. Some forms are relatively benign while others are potentially devastating. Proper diagnosis and treatment are necessary to avoid complications. The most common treatment involves anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs that suppress the immune system or a combination of both.

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