Rheumatism is an infectious-allergic disease that affects joints and connective tissue. In general, the disease manifests itself in children and in adolescence, although some can refute this fact, saying that the rheumatism is most often complained of by the elderly. This is because in the mature and retirement age, patients suffer from complications of the disease and its consequences, which can be even more difficult.
Causes of joint rheumatism
There are several reasons for the development of rheumatism. Quite often, the disease develops in people whose close relatives suffered from it. Therefore, in this case, preventive measures are absolutely ineffective, but they still need to be neglected. Patients who are often ill with infectious diseases and suffer from the presence in the body of a protein belonging to group B are also at risk.
External factors include cold, which provokes the disease, so in winter and late autumn often rheumatism begins to manifest itself or worsens.
Also, the damage to the joints and connective tissues can cause streptococcal infection, which is manifested in scarlet fever and erysipelas. Speaking about the diseases that excite the appearance of rheumatism, it is worth mentioning the following diseases of the ENT organs:
- chronic pharyngitis;
- angina;
- scarlet fever ;
- tonsillitis;
- inflammation of the middle ear and others.
These diseases precede rheumatism, therefore patients in the risk group should carry out prevention not only against rheumatism, but also the listed diseases.
Signs of joint rheumatism
Detection in the early stages of the disease and its adequate treatment can protect the patient from adverse effects, therefore the symptoms of joint rheumatism need to be known. First of all, the disease manifests itself through sharp joint pains, especially in large joints. Most often rheumatism affects the following joints:
- ankle;
- knee;
- ulna;
- wrist band;
- brachial.
In addition to the appearance of acute pain, redness appears on the joint site, and the temperature of the affected area increases. With the development of the disease the signs intensify, so the pains become stronger and more frequent, because of which the patient does not move much, and touching the joint brings even greater suffering. Also, the temperature rises not only on the affected anatomical site, but throughout the body, up to 39-40 degrees.
Rheumatism often develops in several joints simultaneously, which greatly complicates the course of the disease and treatment. If at the time of rheumatism, then its development can be stopped, and therefore only two or three joints will be affected.
How to treat joint rheumatism?
In the treatment of joint rheumatism, it is very important not only to consult a specialist for help, but also to prescribe the right therapeutic treatment. First of all, the bed rest is prescribed, which the patient must observe, as well as a diet that helps reduce carbohydrates and proteins in the body. In order for the restrictions to be beneficial, in the treatment of joint rheumatism
With rheumatism joints are prescribed antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce inflammation and reduce pain. Penicillin is often used because the disease has a streptococcal nature. Treatment with the drug lasts up to two weeks. If the disease is in a more complicated stage, then the patient is assigned purification of the blood from the toxins that appeared as a result of the development of rheumatism.
Despite the fact that the process of recovery can last long enough, rheumatism of joints refers to curable diseases and medicines from it exist. Therefore, at the first signs immediately go to the doctor, without waiting for serious consequences.