Caplans syndrome

What is Caplan syndrome?

Caplan syndrome also known as Caplan disease or rheumatoid pneumoconiosis is a combined disease condition including two diseases rheumatoid arthritis and pneumoconiosis that lead to the formation of intrapulmonary nodules in lungs. It is also defined as the swelling and scarring of the lungs in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis who have been exposed to mining dust containing coal. The lung disease is also known as coal workers pneumoconiosis.

What is the Age/sex prevalence of Caplan’s syndrome?

Incidence is decreasing day by day due to the decline of the coal mining industry. Individuals of any age or sex can be affected.

Races affected by Caplan’s syndrome?

Individuals of any race can be affected by Caplan’s syndrome.

How Dust Is the Major Cause Of Caplan’s Syndrome?

Caplan syndrome is caused by inhaling dust in coal mining factories. This inhalation of dust causes inflammation and can lead to the development of many small lung lumps (nodules) and mild asthma-like airway disease. People who have been exposed to the dust have severe scarring that makes it difficult for the lungs to carry oxygen to the bloodstream. This is known as progressive massive fibrosis.

What are the signs and symptoms of Caplan’s syndrome?

-Shortness of breath -Nodules on the skin -Wheezing sounds in the chest -Pain and swelling of joints -cough

How To Know The Existence Of Caplan’s Syndrome In Body?

Medical history of the patient and symptoms help to diagnose. Along with history taking to confirm diagnosis following tests are done -X-ray joint -Rheumatoid factor test -Pulmonary function tests -CT scan of the chest -X-ray chest -Liver function tests

How to Treat Caplan’s Syndrome?

There is no specific treatment for Caplan’s syndrome.

What is the homoeopathic treatment for Caplan syndrome?

Homoeopathy helps symptomatically as there is no permanent cure for Caplan syndrome. Medicines are: -Ferrum picrum -methylenum bichloratum -salicylic