Presentation
While the disease may first present at various times, it most frequently presents in the late 40's to early 50's. Children and young adults are also diagnosed with this disease, although less often. Some literature reports a slightly higher occurrence in females than males, while other authors assert that sex is not a statistically significant factor in the incidence of the disease. Relapsing polychondritis is one of many subclasses of disease in the area of rheumatology. This disease can begin with a few mild symptoms, like ear canal inflammation or joint pain and progress over months to years to become more serious with inflammation spreading to various other sites of cartilage causing more severe pain.
Though any cartilage in the body may be affected, in many cases the disease affects several areas while sparing others completely. Parts of the body where cartilage is found, and therefore potentially affected by polychondritis, include the ears, nose, throat, heart valves, joints and rib cage, sinus cavities among others. Several conditions may result from relapsing polychondritis, including type 3 tracheomalacia and vasculitis. One interesting sign to look for is a painful, red and swollen ear, often sparing the ear lobe, a photograph of which is shown here
Read more about this topic: Relapsing Polychondritis
Famous quotes containing the word presentation:
“He uses his folly like a stalking-horse, and under the presentation of that he shoots his wit.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)