Relapses are the return of clinical manifestations of a disease

Relapses are clinical manifestations of diseases that arise after a temporary disappearance. They are always associated with incomplete elimination of the causes of the pathological process.

The concept of relapse

Between the periods of disease return can be from several days (in case of colds and some infections) to several years. It depends on how much the functional failure of organs or systems is compensated. If the recovery was incomplete or if there was a genetic condition, relapses are possible. It also depends on the influence of the environment. If the activity of the diseased system of the body is not completely restored, then relapses (this often happens in case of premature return to work) is possible under normal conditions. Sometimes they are brought only by extreme circumstances.

Dependence on the clinical picture

In some diseases, the risk of recurrence is so great that it is even reflected in their names. For example, recurrent typhus. Or recurrent paralysis, which is a symptom of a number of diseases affecting the nervous system. Spontaneous resumption of symptoms is characteristic of gout, arthritis, rheumatism, stomach ulcers. In psychiatry, it is customary to talk about the recurrent form of schizophrenia - this name also shows the recurrent nature of this illness. Chronic bronchitis and such diseases of the gastrointestinal tract as pancreatitis and erosive gastroduodenitis often recur . The return course is typical for pathologies that affect the hematopoiesis system (pernicious anemia, leukemia).

Relapse can have a clinical picture different from the first manifestations of the disease. And both in terms of severity of symptoms, and in qualitative terms. Take for example, such a disease as rheumatism. Having arisen for the first time, it can proceed in the form of chorea, then in the form of polyarthritis or rheumatic carditis. The same disease at later stages gives such a complication as heart failure. Symptoms of concomitant pathology dominate and dramatically change the clinical picture of relapse. This makes it difficult to diagnose. And also complicates the treatment.

Diagnostics

Relapses are a factor that must be considered when conducting differential diagnosis. Especially with infectious diseases (for example, with malaria). If the primary manifestations of the disease are sufficiently remote in time, can not be accurately described and atypical, this can lead to the fact that relapse will be treated as the onset of the disease. Therefore, the collection of anamnesis is very important. Sometimes it makes sense to critically overestimate the early diagnoses and perform their retrospective analysis.

Relapse prevention

The remission will be achieved the easier it is than the treatment started earlier. It is better if the patient is well informed about the possibility of a recurring course of the disease. Then he will not be overwhelmed by the sudden manifestation of symptoms and will be able to respond more adequately, before starting treatment. Rehabilitation measures after acute phases of illness are very important. They need to be tailored to suit individual characteristics.