Rheumatism is a loose layperson term encompassing both inflammatory and non-inflammatory forms of pain and arthritis syndromes within the inflammatory variety of rheumatism (termed rheumatic disorder). Some affect the joints, and those that affect the whole body or other soft tissues.
What is Rheumatism? Definition and overview Types of rheumatism: inflammatory and non-inflammatory Causes of Rheumatism Triggers of non-inflammatory rheumatism Inflammatory rheumatism and cytokine build-up Symptoms of Rheumatism Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling Muscle tenderness and other soft tissue symptoms Diagnosis of Rheumatism Key diagnostic criteria Rheumatoid factors and autoimmune considerations Treatment for Rheumatism Non-surgical treatment options Surgical interventions for advanced conditions Associated Conditions Osteoarthritis, lupus, and more Importance of comprehensive health management Conclusion Importance of early diagnosis and tailored treatment Preparing for comprehensive health check-ups
What is rheumatism?
Rheumatism is an overuse of the body’s tissues. In other words, rheumatism is a painful condition where tissues get injured and release chemicals into the bloodstream. It also causes swelling. Acute Rheumatism (Tension Hip Joint Arthritis) Also known as fibromyalgia or piriformis syndrome, acute rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a rheumatic disorder usually diagnosed during the onset of hip/joint pain. Hip/joint pain is an uncommon condition affecting 1 in 10,000 people. Common symptoms of RA are extreme pain and stiffness, night sweats, insomnia, fatigue, dizziness, and muscle pain. It is usually self-limiting, but a small percentage of patients with RA experience arthritis progression that affects the body, like the arms and legs.
Causes of rheumatism
Two types of rheumatism affect humans – inflammatory and non-inflammatory. The non-inflammatory variety of rheumatism is triggered by an event (usually illness or trauma) and can be treated medically. In this case, you can only treat the symptoms, not the cause of your condition. On the other hand, inflammatory rheumatism arises from a build-up of certain substances called chemicals or cytokines. Most people assume that viruses and infections cause the latter, but the most commonly studied ones are not. How do you know if you are suffering from rheumatism? There are three main types of rheumatism that you can have. In addition to the ones discussed above, you may also experience Rheumatoid arthritis, Chronic lymphedema, or polymyalgia rheumatics.
Symptoms of rheumatism
1. Joint pain and stiffness 2. Numbness and tingling in the extremities 3. Decreased range of motion 4. Swelling and bruising of the joints 5. Pain or tenderness in muscles and other soft tissues 6. Severe itching 7. Rash Causes of rheumatism 1. Inflammation in the joints or soft tissues 2. Fatigue or weakness due to overuse of the joints and other soft tissues 3. Stroke or peripheral vascular disease that restricts blood flow to the affected parts of the body 4. Infections of the blood vessels in the body or surrounding tissues 5. Gene mutation 6. Irregular sleep patterns 7. Use of some medicine that blocks the regular calcium-binding sites in the bone matrix that allow for the release of bony calcium Signs and symptoms 1. Loss of grip strength 2.
Diagnosis of rheumatism
The standard rheumatic diagnosis criteria involve various test procedures to verify the presence of the disease. These include the following: Acquired joint symptoms such as joint swelling, tenderness, or stiffness, accompanied by prolonged swelling of joints. Tenderness in one or more joints. Joint inflammation that appears to be inflammatory. Congestive signs include difficulty breathing, weight gain, joint pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, change in bowel habits, etc. Excessive sweating. Rheumatoid factors and history of autoimmune disease While some rheumatoid factors present in the patient are listed below, not all of them can be determined from a differential.
Treatment for rheumatism
There is no single treatment for rheumatism, and different individuals are treated differently according to their needs and issues. While certain types of surgery may be the best treatment option for those with localized joint damage, others might be better suited for treatments that aim to keep the joints as stable and pain-free as possible by increasing their self-limiting range of motion. A particular type of joint known as the metacarpophalangeal joint is often an area of treatment for those suffering from the most common form of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis.
Conclusion
Rheumatism can be a crippling condition if not properly managed. Diseases and conditions associated with rheumatism include osteoarthritis, lupus, rheumatic fever, gout, rheumatic heart disease, osteoporosis and gouty arthritis. You must take stock of your health and adequately prepare for these symptoms by taking a comprehensive health check-up.
