Caplan Syndrome

What is it?

Caplan syndrome is where one has rheumatoid arthritis and nodules in the lungs causing breathing difficulties.

These nodules (lumps are normally occur in both sides and all over the lungs.
There are usually multiple nodules, varying in size from 0.5 to 5.0 cm

Cause

Exposed to dust i.e. coal miners
Irritant
Chemical (for example beryllium causes Berylliosis)
Foreign object

Source: Doctors Gates

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Eight-common-diseases-such-infiltration-atelectasis-cardiac-hypertrophy-effusion_fig1_327162769

Symptoms

Initially a persistent dry cough which has now become a chesty cough with yellow/green and/or blood stained phlegm?
Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties?
Difficulty breathing, rapid and shallow, feel breathlessness even when resting?
Wheezing (high pitched, musical sound)?
Rib cage is pulled upwards and inwards?
Balance and dizziness problems?
General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
Joint pain or stiffness?
Reactive arthritis (have arthritis symptoms even if have infection elsewhere on body)?
Pain is all the time and can be worse by movement?
General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
Loss of appetite?
Flare up of joints, pain and inflammation (Flare up is when symptoms come and go)?
Pain and swelling at the morning and then eases throughout the day?
Rash, skin nodules (rheumatoid nodules) over the elbows and forearms?
Anaemic (lack of oxygen in blood)?
Both sides of body get affected?
High amount of watery eye discharge (tears)?
Increase in saliva production?
Swollen ankles?
Rapid heart beating?
Irregular heartbeat, palpitations?
High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours (rheumatic fever)?
Feeling discomfort, fullness, or pain on the upper left side of the abdomen; this pain may spread to your left shoulder?
Cold hand and feet which can be numb and painful?
Hard Painless lump and/or not moving and and/or is becoming larger?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Caplan Syndrome in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

NHS
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