Chronic disease stages

Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5... 

The same may hold true for the different stages in endothelial cell activation during flare-ups in chronic inflammatory disorders. Therefore, the use of a combination of different drug targeting preparations aimed at disease stage-specific epitopes is likely to be a prerequisite for targeting endothelial cells at various stages of activation. 

It is now evident that protease inhibitors could be used to treat diseases that range from the common cold (inhibitors for the viral processing protease) to chronic diseases such as cancer (tumor protease inhibitors ) and emphysema (elastase inhibitors). At present we have just reached the stage where the role of proteases in a number of diseases is being appreciated. The full potential of protease inhibitors has not been reached and the future will see the development of more specific and selective protease inhibitors that will be applied to treating specific diseases. 

In some chronic diseases in which suppressive drugs will ultimately be needed they may not benefit the patient in the early stages. For example, victims of early parkinsonism or hypertension may be little inconvenienced or hazarded by the disease, as yet, and the premature use of drugs can exact such a price in side-effects that patients prefer the untreated state what patients will tolerate depends on their personality, their attitude to disease, their occupation, mode of life and relationship with their doctor (see Compliance). 

Fundamentally, treatment of cirrhosis should begin during its chronic precursory stages, i. e. chronic hepatitis or chronic cholangitis. A chronic disease confirmed by detailed diagnostics usually still responds to effective treatment measures, which are, however, of no help once the cirrhotic stage has been reached. 

Arkenan, H.-T., Stichtenoth, D.O., FrohRch, J.C., Manns, M.P., Bdker, K.-H.W. Elevated nitric oxide levels in patients with chronic liver disease and cirrhosis correlate with disease stage and parameters of hyperdynamic circulation. Z. Gastroenterol. 2002 40 907—912... 

Dental caries is a common chronic disease in which contact between teeth, food, and bacteria is involved. The major bacteria involved are believed to be Streptococcus mutans and S. sobrinus, although several Other types of bacteria are involved. Three stages have been outlined in caries adherence of bacteria to the teeth, formation of glycocalyx due to synthesis of a sticky glucan by the action of the bacterial enzyme glucosyl transferase on sucrose, and accumulation of plaque, which is a biofilm. In the dental plaque, there is continuing acid production by the bacteria, which are able to metabolize carbohydrates in acid medium, and the acid demineralizes the enamel of the teeth. 

Cobum JW, et al. Doxercalcrferol safely suppresses PTH levels in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with chronic kidney disease stages 3 and 4. Am J Kidney Dis 2004 43 877-890. 

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