Inflammatory Disease States

Cancer

A condition which involves overgrowth of cells (abnormal cells) due to various unfavorable factors like mutations, carcinogens, radiation, genetics, etc. These extra growth of cells become malignant and then affects tissues attached to them. Slowly, these cells metastasize and they spread to other organs. There are various kinds of cancers depending on the organ involved and within the same organ, cancers are further sub-classified depending on the biomarkers.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid disease is an auto-immune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. As shown in the picture below, there is tenderness, swelling and pain in the joints. There might be some stiffness associated in the morning. Auto-immune disorders are disease states in which our own immune cells attack the goods cells by mistake.

Psoriasis:

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the skin and scalp characterized by red, scaly, sharply demarcated plaques of various sizes. Environmental and genetic factors play an important role in patient’s predisposition to Psoriasis.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver which can result in fibrosis, cirrhosis or liver cancer. There are 3 types of Hepatitis; A, B and C. All 3 types are caused by viruses of different types. Hepatitis is a communicable disease and can be spread from one person to another. Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and water. Hepatitis B and C are sexually transmitted diseases.
There is no cure for Hepatitis A and B but fortunately, there are vaccines to prevent them. Hepatitis C, on the other hand, is curable but there is no vaccine to prevent it.

Diabetes

  • Diabetes is very common and widespread disease in the whole world. 
  • Diabetes has 2 types: Diabetes Type 1, also known as Juvenile Diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, in which the Pancreas does not produce insulin at all. This type is common amongst kids and usually is by birth. 
  • Diabetes Type 2, also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes is acquired later in life. In this type, the pancreas produces insulin but cells become resistant or insensitive to insulin. Eventually, the ability of the pancreas to secrete insulin declines with age.
  • Diabetes can be worsened by some medications like glucocorticoids (Prednisone, hydrocortisone, fludrocortisone), antipsychotics (Quetiapine, risperidone) or other medications causing slower absorption like colesevelam or cholestyramine or fiber products.
  • Stress (mental and physical) can worsen diabetes.
  • Diabetes if not treated, can cause harm to other organs. The high sugar can damage eyes, kidneys, liver, heart, nerves in extremities, etc.

People with chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C or other conditions may have more susceptibility towards developing diabetes type 2. These conditions combined with obesity and stress can all stimulate cytokines, macrophages and other inflammatory mediators which can inhibit Insulin sensitivity of insulin receptors. Cancer is another condition which is linked to development of diabetes type 2. 


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