Inflammatory Conditions

Key points

• More than 80 types of autoimmune disease exist, and almost any part of the body can be affected.
• Women develop many of these conditions far more often than men.
• The cause is not known, and these conditions are not contagious.

Symptoms

Redness, swelling, heat and pain are the signs of inflammation, and many autoimmune diseases produce them. The tissues involved vary widely, but inflammation is the common thread.

How it is treated

Corticosteroids dampen the inflammatory cascade broadly, which is why dexamethasone is used in conditions as varied as joint flares, inflammatory eye disease and severe allergic reactions. Decadron 0.5mg tablets are the dexamethasone product listed for inflammatory conditions, allergic states, rheumatoid arthritis and cerebral oedema. Dexamethasone orders are shipped to Malaysia from pharmacy partners in India in discreet packaging.

Living with inflammation

A healthy weight lowers the load on inflamed joints and tissue. Diets built on vegetables, legumes and oily fish rather than refined carbohydrates are linked to lower inflammatory markers, while poor sleep and sustained stress raise them. Gentle exercise or physiotherapy usually helps mobility more than rest alone.

When to see a doctor

Symptoms that persist or keep returning are worth assessing, since some of these conditions need long-term treatment.

What the sources say

• Autoimmune diseases run in families, so certain genes may make some people more likely to develop one. (MedlinePlus)
• Viruses, certain chemicals and other environmental factors may trigger the disease in people who already have the genes for it. (MedlinePlus)
• For most people, treatment aims to slow the immune system and ease the swelling, redness and pain of inflammation; some need lifelong treatment. (MedlinePlus)

Further reading

• Autoimmune diseases – an overview - Healthdirect
• Autoimmune Diseases - MedlinePlus
• Inflammation | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences - NIH