What is Relapsing Polychondritis?

To me, Relapsing PPolychondritis(RP) is another disease that I never realized existed until the disease struck me. It has been over a decade since I have been overwhelmed by numerous rare medical conditions including Relapsing Polychondritis, (RP) .

Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) is an autoimmune rare disease and the cause is unknown. If you break down the medical term of Relapsing Polychondritis you have:

• Chondritis refers to cartilage
• Poly means more than one episode
• Relapsing as a noun means to fall back or return
• Relapsing PolyChondritis is an inflammatory disease that affects cartilage. Cartilage is flexible strong tissue that gives form and support to part of your body. The inflammation of cartilage can lead to the neurosis of the cartilage.

Relapsing Polychondritis can affect any part of your body that is cartilage. The affected cartilage may include:

• Nose
• Eyes
• Joints
• Spine
• Ears
• Windpipe
• Eyes, Heart and Blood Vessels may be affected as they have a biochemical makeup that is similar to cartilage.

A diagnosis for RP is usually not easily found. Relapsing Polychondritis is rare and affects only 3 to 5 people per million. The first symptom of Relapsing PolyChondritis is usually inflammation of the ear or ears. However, RP may first affect a different cartilage than ears.

What triggers Relapsing PolyChondritis?

What triggers Relapsing Polychondritis is unknown. The disease of Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) is rare and there is not a sufficient amount of data.

What Is The First Course of Treatment for Relapsing Polychondritis?

The first course of treatment for RP is Prednisone (Steroids).

If steroids do not resolve the condition then addition medication is given. This disease is usually progressive and may result in blindness, loss of hearing and death. However, a person may go into remission for long periods of time.

 

Please help spread the word about, “What is Relapsing Polychondritis?”

If you would like to find out more about Relapsing Polychondritis then click, HERE.

There are also numerous Relapsing Polychondritis groups of Facebook and Yahoo Groups. If you are looking to connect with others that suffer from RP then these groups are a terrific resource.

Resources:http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/331475-overview 

http://www.medicinenet.com/relapsing_polychondritis/article.htm

http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/bone_joint_and_muscle_disorders/autoimmune_disorders_of_connective_tissue/relapsing_polychondritis.html

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