Symptom Attacks
Sufferers of FMF often experience symptoms during childhood and 90 percent of patients with FMF are diagnosed before they reach 20 years old, according to the Mayo Clinic. People with FMF experience attacks that typically last between two and three days. Common symptoms during attacks include sudden fever, abdominal pain, chest pain, aches in joints, constipation, diarrhea, muscle aches and a red rash on their legs. Between attacks, sufferers do not experience symptoms. Sufferers may experience attacks every week or every few months.
Testing and Diagnosis
Currently, there is not a particular test to detect FMF in patients experiencing attacks. Doctors can diagnose patients from their symptoms, family history and ethnicity. Doctors also perform blood tests to detect elevated levels of white blood cells when the patient experiences an attack. Because FMF is an inherited disorder, genetic testing may determine if the patient has a genetic mutation associated with FMF. The disorder is an autosomal recessive trait, which means the mutated gene must be inherited from each parent to develop the inflammatory condition.
Treatment Options
Although FMF cannot be cured, there are treatment options available for patients to control their symptoms. Doctors treating FMF frequently prescribe colchicine, which is an anti-inflammatory drug. The drug is taken at least once a day to prevent attacks and lessen troublesome symptoms such as diarrhea. Side effects including muscle weakness, numbness in hands and feet, and kidney function problems are possible when taking colchicine. Other drug options for patients experiencing side effects including Enbrel, Remicade or Kineret.
Lifestyle Changes
Certain lifestyle changes should help control FMF symptoms and prevent any other complications. Taking medication on schedule is important for preventing attacks, getting relief and reducing any possible side effects. If you’re planning on becoming pregnant, it’s important to communicate your intent with your doctor to increase your chances of a comfortable pregnancy and healthy baby. Following a low-fat, lactose-free diet should help eliminate abdominal discomfort while you take colchicine.
Finding Support
Coping with a chronic illness as the patient or the parent of a patient can be a difficult process. Being informed about the disorder is important, so you understand the symptoms and what to expect. You can learn more about FMF by talking with your doctor and reading informative brochures. Talking with a support group will help you vent your frustrations with people in the same situation. You can find a support group by asking your doctor.
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) or Mediterranean flu is definitely an inherited disorder usually affecting people of Mediterranean origin including Sephardic Jews, Arabs, Armenians and Turks. The disorder is definitely an inflammatory disorder including inflammation from the abdomen, lung area and joints. Patients with FMF inherit the disorder via a mutated gene, which in turn causes the soreness. People with the disorder frequently experience discomfort within the inflamed areas. Although there’s no remedy for the disorder, the patients may seek relief through treatment.
Symptom Attacks
People with FMF frequently experience signs and symptoms throughout childhood and 90 % of patients with FMF are identified before they achieve twenty years old. Individuals with FMF experience attacks that typically last between two and 72 hours. Common signs and symptoms throughout attacks include sudden fever, abdominal discomfort, chest discomfort, aches in joints, constipation, diarrhea, muscle aches along with a red-colored rash on the legs. Between attacks, sufferers don’t experience signs and symptoms. Sufferers can experience attacks each week or every couple of months.
Testing and Diagnosis
Presently, there’s not really a particular test to identify FMF in patients going through attacks. Doctors can identify patients using their signs and symptoms, genealogy and ethnicity. Doctors also perform bloodstream tests to identify elevated amounts of white blood cells once the patient encounters an episode. Because FMF is definitely an inherited disorder, genetic testing may determine whether the individual includes a genetic mutation connected with FMF. The disorder is definitely an autosomal recessive trait, meaning the mutated gene should be inherited from each parent to build up the inflammatory condition.
Treatments
Although FMF can’t be healed, you will find treatments readily available for patients to manage their signs and symptoms. Doctors dealing with FMF frequently prescribe colchicine, that is an anti-inflammatory drug. The medication is taken at least one time each day to avoid attacks and reduce difficult signs and symptoms, for example diarrhea. Unwanted effects including muscle weakness, numbness in hands and feet, and kidney function troubles are possible when taking colchicine. Other drug choices for patients going through unwanted effects including Enbrel, Remicade or Kineret.
Change In Lifestyle
Certain change in lifestyle should help control FMF signs and symptoms and stop every other complications. Taking medication on schedule is essential for stopping attacks, getting relief and reducing any possible unwanted effects. If you are thinking about getting pregnant, you need to communicate your intent together with your physician to improve your odds of an appropriate pregnancy and healthy baby. Carrying out a low-body fat, lactose-free diet should help eliminate abdominal discomfort when you take colchicine.
Finding Support
Dealing with a chronic illness because the patient or even the parent of the patient could be a difficult process. Being informed concerning the disorder is essential, which means you comprehend the signs and symptoms and what to anticipate. Discover more about FMF by speaking together with your physician and reading through informative pamphlets. Speaking having a support group can help you vent your frustrations with individuals within the same situation. You’ll find a support group by asking your physician.