EDU: Companion Diseases - Crohn's, Cushing's, Sjogrens

[Guest guest]

This post is about " companion diseases " that frequently accompany rheumatic

disease. A rheumatic disease causes inflammation in joints, muscles, skin, or

other body tissue, Rheumatic diseases are Auto Immune diseases, a disease in

which the immune system turns against the body's own cells. These diseases are

frequently classified as either Primary or Secondary disease. A Primary disease

can be defined as one that occurs by itself, and Secondary disease occurs with

another disease. For the majority of us, AOSD or Stills disease is our primary

disease and others, like Crohn's disease, Cushing Syndrome and Sjogrens are

secondary or companion diseases to Stills Disease. These diseases can also be

Primary diseases for people who don't have AOSD. .

Crohn's Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the general name for

diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines. Crohn's disease can be

difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other intestinal

disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and to another type of IBD called

ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top

layer of the lining of the large intestine. Here is a link to all you ever

wanted to know about this autoimmune bowel inflammatory disease.

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/

Sjögren's (SHOW-grins) Syndrome is an autoimmune disease. In Sjögren's

syndrome, the immune system targets moisture-producing glands and causes dryness

in the mouth and eyes. Other parts of the body can be affected as well,

resulting in a wide range of possible symptoms.

Normally, the immune system works to protect us from disease by destroying

harmful invading organisms like viruses and bacteria. In the case of Sjögren's

syndrome, disease-fighting cells attack the glands that produce tears and saliva

(the lacrimal and salivary glands). Damage to these glands keeps them from

working properly and causes dry eyes and dry mouth.

The disease can affect other glands too, such as those in the stomach,

pancreas, and intestines, and can cause dryness in other places that need

moisture, such as the nose, throat, airways, and skin. Sjögren's can cause

extreme fatigue that can seriously interfere with daily life.

For more information on this topic, please view this link.

http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/sjogrens/index.htm

Cushing's Syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure

of the body's tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol. Sometimes called

" hypercortisolism, " it is relatively rare and most commonly affects adults aged

20 to 50. An estimated 10 to 15 of every million people are affected each year.

Symptoms vary, but most people have upper body obesity, rounded face,

increased fat around the neck, and thinning arms and legs. Children tend to be

obese with slowed growth rates.

Other symptoms appear in the skin, which becomes fragile and thin. It bruises

easily and heals poorly. Purplish pink stretch marks may appear on the abdomen,

thighs, buttocks, arms and breasts. The bones are weakened, and routine

activities such as bending, lifting or rising from a chair may lead to

backaches, rib and spinal column fractures.

For more on this endocrine disease that could be triggered by taking steroids

for your Stills Disease, visit this link.

http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/cushings/cushings.htm

(Beautiful Southern Oregon, USA)

We may not be able to change the direction of the wind, but we can adjust our

sails.

May you have enough happiness to make you kind, enough trials to make you

strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.

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