Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathophysiology

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis. The condition mainly occurs due to uric acid buildup in the body. High levels of uric acid can also cause a person to develop insulin resistance, which can increase their risk of developing diabetes. Gout affects over 3 million people in the United States, while around 34 million people in the country have diabetes. Researchers believe these conditions both have links to insulin resistance. This article outlines what gout is and explains the link between gout and diabetes. Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that causes inflammation and pain in a joint. It often affects one joint at a time, commonly at the base of the big toe. Excess amounts of uric acid in the body is the main cause of gout — a buildup of uric acid can cause crystals to form, which can become lodged in joints. These crystals cause sudden pain and swelling to occur. However, if a person has gout, they can have periods where they experience no symptoms . This is called rem...

Sepsis is a medical emergency. Early identification and treatment are essential but many health staff are unable to recognise its signs and symptoms Abstract Sepsis is a potentially fatal condition and is becoming increasingly frequent, yet health professionals are often unable to recognise its symptoms. It is the body's exaggerated response to infection and, if left untreated, will lead to severe sepsis, multi-organ failure and death. Nurses play a vital role in identifying patients with sepsis and starting essential treatment. This article looks at how sepsis can be identified and effectively treated to improve survival. Citation: McClelland H, Moxon A (2014) Early identification and treatment of sepsis. Nursing Times ; 110: 4, 14-17. Authors:  Heather McClelland is nurse consultant in emergency care, Alex Moxon is emergency department staff nurse; both at Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust. Introduction Sepsis is one of the leading causes of d...

Many people notice that their arthritis symptoms get worse at night. When this occurs, it can be hard for people to sleep, leaving them exhausted in the morning and potentially contributing to daytime pain or fatigue. It is common for pain to get worse at night. A 2020 study found that online searches for information about pain management peaked between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. Doctors do not fully understand why arthritis pain often worsens at night, but possible causes involve changes in the levels of hormones and cytokines, which are cell-signaling proteins, in the body. Daytime arthritis medication, which some people take during the morning, may also wear off by the evening. In this article, we examine why arthritis pain gets worse at night and how it disrupts sleep. We also provide tips on ways to improve sleep. Researchers have several theories to explain why many people with arthritis experience worse pain at night. One theory is that the body's circadian rhythm may play a r...

Bronchiolitis and bronchitis are both infections that affect the lungs and can have overlapping symptoms such as a cough, wheezing, and low-grade fever. However, there are some very important differences in symptoms, causes, treatment, and ultimately, how they may affect future lung function. Bronchiolitis is an inflammation of the small airways (bronchioles) and most often affects infants less than 2 years of age. Bronchitis causes inflammation of the bronchi (and bronchioles to a degree) and can affect people of any age. FatCamera / Getty Images Causes and Symptoms Symptoms common to both bronchiolitis and bronchitis include: A cough that can be dry, or productive of clear, yellow, or green phlegm Wheezing A low-grade fever A runny or stuffy nose With both conditions, the cough and wheezing may last for several weeks. Both are often caused by viral infections, but the particular viruses responsible frequently differ. Bron...

Gout and plantar fasciitis can both affect the feet. Gout is a type of arthritis that causes joint pain and swelling. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a ligament in the sole of the foot. Gout occurs as a result of high uric acid levels in the body, which can form painful crystals around joints. Plantar fasciitis can develop from an unusual foot arch, overuse, or excess strain on the foot. In this article, we look at the similarities and differences between gout and plantar fasciitis, including their symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and outlook. Gout is a type of arthritis that can cause pain and swelling in the joints. Gout can occur when excess uric acid builds up in the body and forms sharp crystals around joints. Risk factors for gout include : Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the start of the toes. Plantar fasciitis can result from excess strain or pressure on the...

Asthma UK The current aerosol asthma inhalers we use are cheap but, because of the gases they contain, are one of the NHS's biggest contributions to climate change. Other countries think alternatives are superior - and some patients in the UK who have switched say they are controlling their asthma better. So, could millions of people be prescribed different inhalers? "It's like there's a vacuum cleaner in your lungs trying to pull your air out." That's what an asthma attack feels like for nine-year-old Sebastian. Some of his attacks have needed treatment in hospital. A recent cross-country race left him keeled over on the floor struggling to breathe through the inflammation in his lungs and his tightened airways. "I fell over and my lungs felt like the air can't go in, it felt like there was nothing in me left," he says. Caroline Sousek Asthma runs in his family. His mum Caroline Sousek says the disease has "hugely dominated" her life s...