Caplan Syndrome - Medtick
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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

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).

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