Inflammatory diseases like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and COPD cause pain, swelling, and redness due to increased blood flow and nerve stimulation. Diagnosis involves physical exams and medical history, and treatment can include medication, physical therapy, or surgery.
An inflammatory disease can consist of many types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis or bursitis, polymyalgia rheumatica and gout. Other conditions involving inflammation include fibromyalgia, low back pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
When a foreign substance is detected within the body, white blood cells release chemicals into the bloodstream or affected tissue. This results in increased blood flow to a particular area, which usually causes a feeling of warmth or redness in the skin, and sometimes swelling. The inflammation can stimulate nerves in the affected area of the body and cause varying levels of pain.
Since there are a number of inflammatory substances in a particular area, the cartilage can be worn away and a person can feel irritation in that area. Aside from the redness and warmth, and along with the irritation, a person who has an inflammatory disease may experience joint pain or stiffness, as well as a loss of function in the joint. Other symptoms may include fever, loss of appetite, fatigue and headache.
Autoimmune disorders can cause inflammation within internal organs. Myocarditis causes shortness of breath and swelling in the legs when there is inflammation in the heart. Nephritis can cause kidney failure or high blood pressure if there is inflammation of the kidneys. Colitis, which is an inflammatory condition of the colon, can cause diarrhea and cramping. When the small tubes that supply air to your lungs become inflamed, it can lead to an asthma attack.
Pain-sensitive nerves are not present in all organs of the body; therefore, pain may not be a symptom when trying to diagnose an autoimmune disease. To properly diagnose any inflammatory disease, a doctor will perform a physical exam and review a patient’s medical history. The doctor will evaluate the patient’s painful joints and other symptoms. X-rays and other tests may be ordered to properly diagnose the inflammatory disease.
Treatment for any inflammatory disease can range from physical therapy to medication to surgery. Various medications may include over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, or steroids and antimalarial drugs that can be ordered with a prescription. A person’s age, overall health, the type of inflammatory disease they are experiencing, and their medical history will all factor into a doctor’s final decision for which treatment methods to use.
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