RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS

SYMPTOMS

• Severe ache of the affected parts
• Swelling of the affected parts 
• Inflammation and crustiness
• If the nose is affected, it can lead to a nose deformity.  The patient may also experience nasal stuffiness and crusting inflammation of both large and small joints. Symptoms are pain similar to arthritis.
• If the disease attacks the larynx and bronchial tubes, breathing and speech may be affected.  Heart valve abnormalities, inflammation, and dysfunction of the kidney may also occur.

Causes Of Relapsing Polychondritis

 It is considered an autoimmune disease. This occurs when the body’s natural defense against foreign or invading organisms begin to attack healthy tissues for unknown reasons. Some cases are associated with abnormal reactions by blood cells to a thyroid protein, organ wall cell of the adrenal cell.  The symptoms may arise when autoantibodies attack human cartilage. Relapsing polychondritis is also said to be caused by immunologic sensitivity to type 2 collagen and healthy substances found in skin and tissue.

DIAGNOSIS

Several other organ systems can be involved in relapsing polychondritis. The tissues of the eyes may become inflamed with manifestations, including episcleritis, scleritis, and uveitis.  Another typical case in this disease is nasal inflammation.  Destruction of the cartilage of the bridge that can lead to deformity can be possible.

TREATMENT 

 Treatment of relapsing polychondritis involves the administration of corticosteroid drugs. In severe cases, insertion of breathing tubes and replacement of the heart valves for collapsed airways may be necessary.