Inflammatory Response and Anti-inflammatory agents 炎症应答和消炎药
The inflammatory response is designed to protect the body from injury and pathogens. It employs a variety of potent chemical mediators to produce the reaction that helps to destroy pathogens and promote healing. As the body reacts to these chemicals, it produces signs and symptoms of disease, such as swelling, fever, aches, and pains. Occasionally, the inflammatory response becomes a chronic condition and can result in damage to the body, leading to increased inflammatory reactions.
Anti-inflammatory agents generally block or alter the chemical reactions associated with the inflammatory response to stop one or more of the signs and symptoms of inflammation.
消炎药通常阻断或改变炎症应答相关的化学反应,终止一种或多种炎症体征和症状。
Several different types of drugs are used as anti-inflammatory agents. Corticosteroids are used systemically to block the inflammatory and immune systems. Blocking these important protective processes may produce many adverse effects, including decreased resistance to infection and neoplasms. Corticosteroids also are used topically to produce a local anti-inflammatory effect without as many adverse effects. Antihistamines are used to block the release of histamine in the initiation of the inflammatory response. Our discussion of antiinflammatory agents focuses on drugs that have a direct effect on the inflammatory response, including salicylates, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and related agents, and antiarthritis drugs. Because many anti-inflammatory drugs are available over the counter (OTC), there is a potential for abuse and overdosing.
In addition, patients may take these drugs and block the signs and symptoms of a present illness, thus potentially causing the misdiagnosis of a problem. Patients also may combine these drugs and unknowingly induce toxicity. All of these drugs have adverse effects that can be dangerous if toxic levels of drug circulate in the body.
inflammatory response – 炎症应答
chemical mediators – 化学介质
inflammatory reaction – 炎症反应
anti-inflammatory agents – 消炎药
block – v. 阻断
corticosteroids – n. 皮质甾类,皮质类固醇
local anti-inflammatory effect – 局部消炎效果
antihistamine – n. 抗组胺药
histamine – n. 组胺
salicylate – n. 水杨酸盐类
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents – 非类固醇类消炎药
antiarthritis – n. 抗关节炎
misdiagnosis – n. 误诊
induce – v. 诱发,诱导
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1. As a well-rounded health care provider, you know that corticosteroid therapy is indicated in all of the following conditions except:
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Rheumatoid arthritis
C. Systemic lupus erythematosus
D. Acute spinal cord injury 2. Oral steroids are prescribed on a taper in order to:
A. Achieve optimal serum levels.
B. Ensure drug reliability.
C. Ensure compliance.
D. Prevent steroid withdrawal syndrome.
答案
1. A.
Rationale: Osteoarthritis is not an indication for corticosteroid therapy. It has an inflammatory component, but the disease is not severe enough to suppress the immune system. Lupus, spinal injury, and rheumatoid arthritis are conditions that require suppression of the immune system in order for the client to survive. 2. D.
Rationale: Steroids are tapered off in order to prevent a withdrawal syndrome. Optimal serum levels do not require tapering in order to be maintained. Tapering has nothing to do with drug reliability. Compliance is not dependent on tapering.