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Familial Mediterranean fever Causes and Risks:
The cause of the disease is unknown. It usually affects people of Mediterranean ancestry. Symptoms usually begin between 5 and 15 years old. Inflammation in the lining of the abdominal cavity, chest cavity, or joints occurs. Painful, red swelling of the legs occurs in one-fourth of the affected people. Attacks may vary in severity of symptoms, and people are usually symptom free between attacks.
Prevention:
There is no known way to prevent this disorder.
Symptoms:
- fever or alternating chills and fever (relapsing)
- abdominal pain
- chest pain that occurs repeatedly (recurrent)
- abdominal pain that is recurrent or with similar pain in past
- joint pain that occurs repeatedly (recurrent)
- hip pain , knee pain , ankle pain , foot pain , pain over the small joints of the foot, shoulder pain , elbow pain , wrist pain , hand pain, pain over the small joints of the hand, or pain in other joints
- red, painful, swollen lower legs (excluding joints)
Signs and Tests:
There is no specific test to diagnose this disease. Elimination of other possible diseases by laboratory tests or X-rays will help determine the diagnosis.
Treatment:
The treatment is symptomatic and supportive. A low-fat diet may reduce the number and severity of attacks. The medication colchicine may also reduce the attacks.
Prognosis:
The attacks usually run their course without treatment. No medicine to cure the disorder is available.
Complications:
Discomfort is the primary complication.
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms develop (to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms).
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