4-Inflammatory+Disorders

Inflammatory Disorders
by Melissa, Merissa, and Derek

Definition of Inflammatory Disorders is The immune response in these illnesses may cause dysfunction in tissues other than the typically affected organs. When the central nervous system (CNS) is involved, a wide range of neurologic symptoms occurs, including epileptic seizures as well as headaches, confusion, and coma. Types~
 * Psoriasis** is a chronic, non-contagious autoimmune disease which affects the skin and joints. It commonly causes red scaly patches to appear on the skin. The scaly patches caused by psoriasis, called psoriatic plaques are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. Skin rapidly accumulates at these sites and takes on a silvery-white appearance. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees, but can affect any area including the scalp and genitals. In contrast to eczema, psoriasis is more likely to be found on the extensor aspect of the joint.
 * Scleroderma** is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by a hardening in theskin or other organs. The localized type of the disease, known as "morphea", while disabling, tends not to be fatal. The systemic type or **systemic sclerosis**, the generalized type of the disease, can be fatal, as a result of kidney, lung or intestinal damage. It is currently not fully understood what exactly causes this disease, although there are various theories.

Symptoms : Neurologic symptoms such as epileptic seizures, headaches, confusion and coma. Systemic inflammatory disorders can cause seizures and other neurologic symptoms indirectly depending on how they're effected from other organ systems. By causing failure of vital organs such as the kidney or lungs, they can precipitate metabolic encephalopathies and seizures. This is a picture of the different types of inflammatory diseases in the skin.

Prevent dry skin by taking warm (not hot) showers rather than baths. Use a mild soap or body cleanser. Dry yourself very carefully and apply moisturizing skin lotions all over your body. Avoid lotions with fragrances or other irritating substances. Avoid wearing tight-fitting, rough, or scratchy clothing. Avoid scratching the rash. If you can't stop yourself from scratching, cover the area with a dressing. Wear gloves at night to minimize skin damage from scratching. Anything that causes sweating can irritate the rash. Avoid strenuous exercise during a flare. If the allergy-causing agent cannot be removed or identified, the next step is to lessen the allergic inflammatory response. Avoid physical and mental stress. Eating right, light activity, and adequate sleep will help you stay healthy, which can help prevent flares. Do not expect a quick response. Eczema is easier to control than cure.
 * Prevention and Treatment**
 * Psoriasis**- There is no way to prevent psorasis.there is also no cure, but the following tips may improve symptoms or help reduce the number of psoriasis flare-ups.
 * Avoid cold, dry climates. Cold weather may make symptoms worse. Hot, humid weather and sunlight may improve symptoms. (But hot, humid weather may make certain types of psoriasis worse.)
 * Avoid scratching and picking skin, and avoid skin injuries (cuts or scrapes). An injury to the skin can cause psoriasis patches to form anywhere on the body, including the site of the injury. This includes injuries to your nails or nearby skin while trimming your nails.
 * Avoid stress and anxiety. Stress may cause psoriasis to appear suddenly (flare) or can make symptoms worse, although this has not been proved in studies.
 * Avoid infection. Infections such as strep throat can cause one type of psoriasis (called guttate psoriasis) to appear suddenly, especially in children.
 * Try to avoid certain medicines. Some, including beta-blockers and lithium, have been found to make psoriasis symptoms worse. When your doctor prescribes any medicines for you, tell him or her that you have psoriasis.
 * Limit alcohol to no more than 2 drinks a day for men or 1 drink a day for women. This may help control psoriasis, especially for men.
 * Don't smoke. Smoking may make you more likely to get psoriasis and may make it more severe. Smoking may also make your symptoms last longer.
 * Keep your skin moist.
 * Eczema- Home remedies for eczema may be as simple as changing your laundry detergent or as difficult as moving to a new climate or changing jobs. Removing whatever is causing the allergic reaction is the easiest and most effective treatment.**
 * Apply a nonprescription steroid cream (hydrocortisone) along with anti-itching lotion (menthol/camphor, such as calamine). The cream must be applied as often as possible without skipping days until the rash is gone.
 * Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) in pill form may be taken for the itching. Caution - you should not take this medication if you need to drive a car or operate machinery as it will make you sleepy.
 * Clean the area with a hypoallergenic soap every day. Apply lubricating cream or lotion after washing.

Localized skin changes may be treated with topical agents like moisturizers or corticosteroid medications. Ultraviolet light therapy (phototherapy) has also shown some benefit, but more research is needed. Vasodilators, medicines that relax and open the blood vessels, may be prescribed to relieve Raynaud's phenomenon. Avoiding exposure to cold and sunlight is also helpful. Drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and other blood pressure medications may be used to control blood pressure and alleviate serious kidney complications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen, may ease joint pain. Steroids, such as prednisone, may be used to decrease inflammation. Indigestion can be treated with drugs that decrease stomach acidity and promote movement of food through the stomach and intestines. Your doctor may suggest antibiotics, a special diet, and medications to improve your ability to digest food. D-penicillamine is thought to decrease the production of collagen and may delay the progression of the disease. Medications that suppress the immune system, like cyclophosphamide and methotextate may be helpful in some people. Stretching and physical therapy may help keep joints and tissue strong and flexible. Raynaud's syndrome can be relieved somewhat by staying warm and wearing gloves and warm socks. Rarely, orthopaedic surgery of the hands may be necessary to correct severe joint contractures, skin deformities, or scars. Sources: http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/inflammatory.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflammatory_diseases http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.poandpo.com/s408/psoriasis_3.jpg http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/psoriasis-prevention http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/eczema_home_treatment http://arthritis.webmd.com/understanding-scleroderma-treatment
 * Scleroderma-** There is no cure for scleroderma. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and reducing the risk of complications.
 * Medications**
 * Physical Therapy**