Systemic inflammation

Question 1

Causes of systemic inflammation

Answer 1

Certain cancers
Autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis)
Metabolic diseases - type 2 diabetes
Cardiovascular diseases
Gastroinestinal diseases
Lung diseases
Depression and Anxiety

Question 2

What temperature counts as a fever?

Answer 2

Over 38 degrees celcius

Question 3

Why does the body increase in temperature?

Answer 3

Blood vessels constrict so we lose less heat and our muscles contract (shiver). Both of these warm up the body. This raise in body temperature makes it harder for the bacteria and viruses that cause infection to survive. We then feel cold due to less blood flow to the skin.

Question 4

Which chemical mediators are responsible for pyrexia

Answer 4

Prostaglandin E2 and hypothalamus controls this

Question 5

What is BMR and how is it involved with fever?

Answer 5

Basal metabolic rate. When fever occurs, BMR increases. Estimated for every 1 degree of body temperature raised, BMR increases 7 percent.

Question 6

Muscle weakness and pain during a fever - why does this happen?

Answer 6

Myalgia - muscle weakness and pain. 1. Cytokines released by inflamed tissue goes to muscle cells and changes gene expression to increase the break down of muscle and muscle building genes go down. Proteins break off and go to liver to help make different proteins e.g. antibodies, complement proteins, new WBCs.

2. Prostaglandin produced by muscles jump on to prostaglandin receptors on the muscles and making them more sensitive and susceptible to pain.

Question 7

Why does the respiratory and cardiac system ramp up the fever?

Answer 7

Tachypnea - due to increased temperature and raise in BMR we are lower in oxygen as it is needed for metabolism. Increased in breathing rate increases oxygen intake, circulatory system increases as it needs to transport oxygen and get rid of CO2.