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Information
- Takayasu’s arteritis is much more common in women than men. The disease most often starts in young adults, but children and middle-aged people may get it, too.
- Doctors find TAK on angiograms. Angiograms are types of X-ray tests that look at arteries. In TAK, angiograms show narrowing of large arteries.
- Narrowed or blocked arteries cause problems that range from mild to serious.
- Treatment of TAK almost always includes glucocorticoids (prednisone and others), which help reduce the inflammation. Patients also may be prescribed other medications that suppress the immune system.
- Symptoms of TAK reflect poor blood flow to tissues and organs.
Takayasu’s arteritis, also called TAK, is a rare form of vasculitis disease involving inflammation in the walls of the largest arteries in the body: the aorta and its main branches. The disease results from an attack by the body’s own immune system, causing inflammation in the walls of arteries. The inflammation leads to narrowing of the arteries, and this can reduce blood flow to many parts of the body.
Takayasu’s arteritis can result in a weak pulse or loss of pulse in arms, legs and organs. For this reason, people used to refer to the illness as “pulseless disease.” Sometimes patients with TAK may have no symptoms, and the disease is so rare that doctors may not easily recognize it. Thus, there is often a delay in detecting it, sometimes several years.
Source: American College of Rheumatology
Information
- Tendinitis and bursitis are inflammation or degeneration (breakdown) of the soft tissue around muscles and bones.
- Immediate treatment includes RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
- Danger signs include rapid worsening of pain, redness and swelling, or sudden inability to move a joint.
Tendons are cord-like structures located where a muscle narrows down to attach to a bone. The tendon is more fibrous and dense than the elastic, fleshy muscle. A tendon transmits the pull of the muscle to the bone to cause movement. Tendinitis is often very tender to the touch.
Tendinitis or bursitis often involves the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle. The pain it causes may be quite severe and often occurs suddenly. As in arthritis, the pain is worse during movement. Unlike arthritis, the pain is often in parts of the body far from a joint. Tendinitis often results from repetitive use (overuse). Though the problem can recur or be chronic (long term) in some people, it is most often short term, mainly if treated early.
Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa. This small sac acts as a cushion between moving structures (bones, muscles, tendons or skin). If a muscle or tendon is pulling around a corner of a bone, or over a bone, a healthy bursa protects it from fraying and stress. When a bursa is inflamed, it becomes very painful, even during rest.
Source: American College of Rheumatology
Information
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS) is a rare genetic disease with episodes of recurrent fever, abdominal, chest and muscle pain and a typical rash lasting for more than one week.
- The severity of TRAPS varies from patient to patient and often depends on the specific gene defect.
- Episodes of TRAPS respond to treatment with steroids and other biologic anti-inflammatory medications.
- TRAPS may result in late kidney failure if not treated.
Formerly known as Familial Hibernian fever, Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS) is a rare, genetic disease that causes recurrent episodes of fever that typically last more than 1 week and are associated with chills and severe muscle pain in the torso and the arms.
Patients develop a red and painful rash that move from the torso to the arms and legs. Abdominal pain with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are common, as are red, swollen eyes. Other important features include chest pain due to inflammation of the membrane surrounding the lungs or heart.
TRAPS is a rare disease, but since the gene defect was discovered, more patients have been diagnosed. The disease affects both males and females, and usually starts before the age of 10 years, but symptoms may start in late childhood, or even in adulthood. The first cases were reported in patients from Irish-Scottish background; the disease has now been seen in almost all ethnic groups.
Source: American College of Rheumatology
