Rheumatism is a group of disorders that affect bones, muscles, tendons and/or joints.
Rheumatism is a synonym for rheumatism , a disease characterized by swelling of the joints . The Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) also recognizes the form rheuma , with an accent on the U. Both come from the Latin rheuma and have their most distant etymological origin in a Greek word that can be translated as "flow" .
Currently, the idea of rheumatism usually refers to various disorders that share similar symptoms. That is why we often speak of rheumatic disorders , which are treated by a specialty of medicine called rheumatology .
Disorders associated with rheumatism
Rheumatoid arthritis , osteoarthritis , spondyloarthropathies , systemic sclerosis , osteoporosis and spondylitis are some of the most common rheumatological diseases . In general, it can be said that they are conditions that cause damage to the joints, tendons, muscles and/or bones, generating various complications in the patient.
With respect to rheumatoid arthritis , it is an inflammatory disease (since it manifests itself through inflammation) that is systemic and autoimmune (it is characterized by affecting more than one system simultaneously, including several organs, in any part of the body). One of the main features of this disorder is that it produces inflammation in the joints of the feet and hands , progressively destroying them, deforming them at different levels and affecting their functional capacity.
Although the causes of rheumatoid arthritis are unknown, autoimmunity is essential for its appearance, its chronic nature and its progression. It is associated with the presence of cyclic citrullinated antipeptides and rheumatoid factor , among other autoantibodies ( antibodies generated by the immune system, which affects the individual themselves, acting against a varied number of antigens). It is worth mentioning that sometimes this type of rheumatism manifests itself through problems with the heart, skin, lungs or eyes.
Hand mobility can be affected by rheumatism.
osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis , for its part, which is also known as osteoarthritis , arises as a result of the wear and tear of cartilage (the tissue that cushions and protects bones and promotes joint function). This is the most common type of rheumatism, mainly in elderly individuals, although it appears prematurely in people who suffer from genetic diseases of the connective tissue (a set of organic tissues with the same origin), such as joint hypermobility syndrome and joint hypermobility syndrome. Ehlers-Danlos.
Some statistical data reveal a curious tendency for women to suffer from osteoarthritis; In Spain , for example, approximately 16% of inhabitants over 20 years of age suffer from it, and three quarters are female .
Pain in the wrists, knees, ankles, hips, shoulders, neck and back can be part of the disorders linked to rheumatism. It is common for these to be chronic pain that is difficult to treat. It should be noted that the level of humidity and low atmospheric pressure usually affect an increase in pain .
rheumatism treatments
Because rheumatic disorders can have different origins, treatments are also varied. Broadly speaking, it can be said that rheumatism is treated with the provision of analgesics and anti-inflammatories that help minimize pain. In any case, it is a medical professional who is responsible for indicating the appropriate treatment after the review and the corresponding studies.
According to various studies, rheumatism seems to be linked to climatic conditions ; Although there is no irrevocable evidence to support this theory, a survey carried out in 1995 with the help of 557 people suffering from rheumatic disorders showed results that suggested that barometric pressure and its changes were closely related to pain. Generally, individuals with bone pain report feeling better in hot, dry climates than in cold, humid areas.