Fever : Fever is one of the most common medical signs and is characterized by an elevation of body temperature above the normal range of 97.7–99.5 °F (36.5–37.5 °C) due to an increase in the temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and chills.
Fever is an important component of the immune response, though its role is not completely understood. Physicians believe that an elevated body temperature has several effects. The immune system chemicals that react with the fever-inducing agent and trigger the resetting of the thermostat also increase the production of cells that fight off the invading bacteria or viruses. Higher temperatures also inhibit the growth of some bacteria, while at the same time speeding up the chemical reactions that help the body's cells repair themselves. In addition, the increased heart rate that may accompany the changes in blood circulation also speeds the arrival of white blood cells to the sites of infection.
Drugs used – Acetaminophen, Mefenamic acid, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen,and Naproxen
Inflammation : "A fundamental pathologic process consisting of a dynamic complex of histologically apparent cytologic changes, cellular infiltration, and mediator release that occurs in the affected blood vessels and adjacent tissues in response to an injury or abnormal stimulation caused by a physical, chemical, or biologic agent, including the local reactions and resulting morphologic changes; the destruction or removal of the injurious material; and the responses that lead to repair and healing.
Inflammation is the body's attempt at self-protection; the aim being to remove harmful stimuli, including damaged cells, irritants, or pathogens - and begin the healing process.
When something harmful or irritating affects a part of our body, there is a biological response to try to remove it, the signs and symptoms of inflammation, specifically acute inflammation, show that the body is trying to heal itself. Inflammation does not mean infection, even when an infection causes inflammation. Infection is caused by a bacterium, virus or fungus, while inflammation is the body's response to it.
Acute inflammation - starts rapidly (rapid onset) and quickly becomes severe. Signs and symptoms are only present for a few days, but in some cases may persist for a few weeks.
Examples of diseases, conditions, and situations which can result in acute inflammation include: acute bronchitis, infected ingrown toenail, sore throat from a cold or flu, a scratch/cut on the skin, exercise (especially intense training), acute appendicitis, acute dermatitis, acute tonsillitis, acute infective meningitis, acute sinusitis, or a blow.
Chronic inflammation - this means long-term inflammation, which can last for several months and even years. It can result from:
? Failure to eliminate whatever was causing an acute inflammation
? An autoimmune response to a self antigen - the immune system attacks healthy tissue, mistaking it (them) for harmful pathogens.
? A chronic irritant of low intensity that persists
Examples of diseases and conditions with chronic inflammation include: asthma, chronicpeptic ulcer, tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic periodontitis, ulcerative colitis andCrohn's disease, chronic sinusitis, and chronic active hepatitis cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, periodontitis, and hay fever
Drugs Used _ NSAID’S ( Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac Sodium, Aceclofenac , Acetaminophen) and Corticosteroids ( Both Mineralocorticoids and Glucocorticoids)
Pericarditis : Pericarditis is a condition in which the sac-like covering around the heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed.
Causes
The cause of pericarditis is often unknown or unproven, but is often the result of an infection such as:
• Viral infections that cause a chest cold or pneumonia, such as the echovirus or coxsackie virus (which are common in children), as well as influenza
• Infections with bacteria (much less common)
• Some fungal infections (even more rare)
In addition, pericarditis may be seen with diseases such as:
• Cancer (including leukemia)
• Disorders in which the immune system attacks healthy body tissue by mistake
• HIV infection and AIDS
• Underactive thyroid gland
• Kidney failure
• Rheumatic fever
• Tuberculosis (TB)
Other causes include:
• Heart attack
• Heart surgery or trauma to the chest, esophagus, or heart
• Certain medications, such as procainamide, hydralazine, phenytoin, isoniazid, and some drugs used to treat cancer or suppress the immune system
• Swelling or inflammation of the heart muscle
• Radiation therapy to the chest
Pericarditis most often affects men ages 20 - 50.
Symptoms
Chest pain is almost always present. The pain:
• May be felt in the neck, shoulder, back, or abdomen
• Often increases with deep breathing and lying flat, and may increase with coughing and swallowing
• Can be a sharp, stabbing pain
• Is often relieved by sitting up and leaning or bending forward
Other symptoms include:
• Ankle, feet, and leg swelling (occasionally)
• Anxiety
• Breathing difficulty when lying down
• Dry cough
• Fatigue
Medication
• High doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are often given. These medicines will decrease your pain and reduce the swelling or inflammation in the sac around your heart.
If the cause of pericarditis is an infection:
• Antibiotics will be used for bacterial infections
• Antifungal medications will be used for fungal pericarditis
Other medicines that may be used are:
• Corticosteroids such as prednisone (in some patients)
• "Water pills" (diuretics) to remove excess fluid
Arthritis : Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints. There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. The most common form, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. Other arthritis forms are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and related autoimmune diseases. Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection.
Drugs used
Aceclofenac, Abatacept, Adalimumab, Celecoxib, Cyclosporine, Diclofenac, Diflunisal, Etoricoxib, Flurbiprofen, Hydrocortisone, Hydroxychloroquine, Ibuprofen, Mefenamic Acid, Meloxicam, Sulindac and Tenoxicam
Headache : Headache or cephalalgia is pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. It can be a symptom of a number of different conditions of the head and neck.
amitriptyline, fluoxetine, gabapentin, tizanidine, topiramate, and botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) have been evaluated as "prophylactic treatment of chronic daily headache.