A C-reactive protein (CRP) blood test is used to identify inflammation or infection in the body. C-reactive protein is released into the blood by the liver shortly after the start of an infection or inflammation. CRP is an early indicator of these problems and its levels can rise quickly. Why Its Done ########### Doctors may order the C-reactive protein test if symptoms suggest any kind of inflammation, particularly related to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), arthritis flare-ups [*], or an autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus [an autoimmune disease where the bodys immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue]. It may also be used to detect infections in vulnerable patients, such as those whove just had surgery or newborn babies. The CRP test also may help determine whether treatment for any of these conditions is working, because CRP levels drop quickly as inflammation subsides. * Managing a flare-up of rheumatoid arthritis ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis tend to come and go with no particular pattern. Sometimes flare-ups will have an obvious cause, such as another illness or stress, but usually there’s no obvious trigger. This unpredictability makes it difficult to plan ahead. - See more at: arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/self-help/managing-a-flare-up.aspx#sthash.XuTjtMde.dpuf
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 04:13:43 +0000
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