Inflammation is the bodys way of responding to threats such as infection.
But sometimes the bodys inflammatory response can go haywire, attacking healthy, non-diseased tissues.
Researchers believe that the immune system may play a role in inflammatory diseases.
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However, the cause of many inflammatory conditions is poorly understood.
There are a wide variety of conditions that cause ongoing inflammation in the body.
These conditions are called chronic inflammatory diseases.
It can affect multiple parts of the digestive tract.
Like other inflammatory conditions, UC often results in flares that come and go.
Symptoms include:
Symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on the person.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)is an inflammatory disease that affects the joints.
Its common in the hands and wrists but can affect any joint in the body.
Symptoms can come and go.
The inflammation that comes with RA can also affect organs, including the eyes, lungs, and heart.
Symptoms vary depending on the person and come and go.
It can also present in the form of tiny, salmon-colored bumps.
This is called guttate psoriasis.
Other forms of psoriasis include inverse, erythrodermic, and pustular.
A third of people with psoriasis may eventually develop psoriatic arthritis.
Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)is a chronic condition.
It can affect multiple parts of the body, including the skin, joints, and organs.
People with lupus experience flares that can range from mild to severe.
According to the American College of Rheumatology, SLE is more common in Black and Asian females.
Early signs of SLE include:
Asthma
Asthmais a chronic illness affecting the lungs.
The condition causes periodic inflammation that narrows the airways and affects a person’s ability to breathe.
It can cause respiratory distress.
People often develop asthma at a young age.
Some common asthma symptom triggers include:
Symptoms may also worsen when a person has a respiratory illness.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)is also an inflammatory condition.
Unlike other inflammatory diseases, the cause is a lot more clearly defined.
Smokers are much more likely to develop COPD than nonsmokers.
However, nonsmokers can also develop the condition by inhaling other irritants over time.
Chronic Inflammatory Disease Symptoms
There are many diseases that cause chronic or recurring inflammation in the body.
When they affect the joints, symptoms often include:
Chronic inflammatory diseases can also affect the organs.
Commonly affected organs include parts of the digestive tract, the heart, and lungs.
Causes
Experts understand that chronic inflammation in the body occurs because of an incorrect immune response.
However, what triggers this response is not well understood.
Different conditions may also share similar symptoms.
Thankfully, available treatments make it possible to manage symptoms such as pain and inflammation.
People with chronic inflammatory diseases can live full lives with the right treatment plan.
Managing a chronic, lifelong illness can feel like a heavy burden.
Illness support groups may be helpful for those struggling to cope with a new diagnosis.
The causes are thought to be a faulty immune response, which may be associated with certain triggers.
Treatment may be with NSAIDs, DMARDs, and lifestyle modifications.
Chronic inflammatory diseases cannot be cured, but treatment can manage symptoms and prevent complications.
A Word From Verywell
Chronic inflammatory diseases can be tough to live with.
If you think you have a chronic inflammatory disease, talk to your healthcare provider.
In many cases, early treatment can help prevent complications and allow you to live more comfortably.
Cleveland Clinic.Crohn’s disease.
Arthritis Foundation.Rheumatoid arthritis: Causes, symptoms, treatments and more.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: Signs and symptoms.
American College of Rheumatology.Lupus.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Asthma.
American Lung Association.COPD symptoms and diagnosis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Fight inflammation to help prevent heart disease.
National Cancer Institute.Chronic inflammation.
