We frequently hear the word "rheumatism," but what exactly causes it? What elements raise the possibility of infection? What are the symptoms associated with it? This article contains the solution.
Rheumatism is a term from ancient times used to describe any type of symptom involving pain in the muscles and joints. Doctors and health care providers do not use this term today, but rather refer to God with similar terms, such as: Rheumatoid, or Rheumatology. ).
Rheumatism is defined as a group of diseases that cause inflammation in connective tissues, especially muscles, joints and associated structures, meaning that rheumatism is a comprehensive term and not just one disease, but what are the causes of rheumatism?
Rheumatism causes and risk factors
Although the precise causes of rheumatism are currently unknown, a defect in the immune system, which causes the immune system to attack healthy tissues and cells in the body for no apparent reason, is the main cause of the disease.
Some people think that this unjustified attack is caused by genes, while others think that it is caused by exposure to certain environmental factors like pollution or cigarette smoke.
Factors that may increase the risk of developing rheumatism include the following:
1. Age
Some rheumatic diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and others, may become more likely to develop as you get older, while others, like lupus and others, are more prevalent between the onset of adulthood and middle age.
2. Sex
While some rheumatic diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and others, tend to affect women more frequently than men, others, like gout, do the opposite.
3. Being exposed to a specific infection
One of the common causes of rheumatism is exposure to a particular infection, which can promote the emergence of certain rheumatic diseases like lupus and others.
4. Underlying health problems
Underlying health problems, such as: high blood pressure, diabetes , hypothyroidism, or kidney disease, can increase the risk of developing some rheumatic diseases such as gout, and a certain type of rheumatic disease may lead to another type. Also.
Rheumatic symptoms
The following are 7 symptoms and characteristics that may be caused by or characterised by rheumatic diseases; it should be noted that not all of these 7 points may be present in all rheumatic diseases, but at least the first 4 may.
- Usually, one or more joints, including the spine, will experience pain and discomfort close by.
- Pain when moving the affected area or areas.
- Stiffness of the affected area or areas, especially after a period of immobility.
- An improvement in symptoms after light exercise, and an increase in severity after vigorous exercise.
- Symptoms are aggravated and made worse as a result of climatic conditions like low atmospheric pressure, high humidity, and others.
- When the affected area or areas are warmed, symptoms get better.
Types of rheumatic diseases
Here are some of the illnesses that are classified as common rheumatism:
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune disorder that attacks the joints. It can affect several joints at once, most commonly the knees, hands, and wrists.
- Lupus is an autoimmune condition that results in inflammation throughout the body, including the blood, joints, heart, kidneys, brain, and other organs.
- Scleroderma is a condition in which the skin and connective tissues become hardened as a result of the body producing and storing an excessive amount of collagen.
- In Sjogren's syndrome, the glands that produce saliva and tears are primarily targeted by the immune system.
- Ankylosing spondylitis: An arthritis-like condition that affects the spine and causes stiffness that can make a person immobile.
- Gout: It develops when uric acid builds up in the body and takes the form of crystals, particularly in the skin and joints.
- Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that can affect those who have psoriasis.
- Arthritis brought on by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections is referred to as infectious arthritis.
- Children can develop juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which has an unknown cause.