Rheumatism is a nomenclature used to refer to various diseases that affect the joints and related tissues, such as tendons and bones. In addition, rheumatic problems can also affect internal organs such as the heart and kidneys.
Types of rheumatic diseases
Among the most well-known rheumatic diseases is arthrosis, which causes cartilage degeneration. “It affects millions of people around the world and, because it is the most frequent disease and affects the elderly more, the stigma was created that rheumatism is an elderly disease, but this is not true”, says Ingrid Moss, rheumatologist.
However, some diseases of inflammatory origin, such as lupus (a disease in which the immune system attacks the body itself), can affect younger people and even children. These are less common problems than osteoarthritis, but require specific treatment, and may involve other body organs, such as the eyes, lungs, kidneysamong others.
“At the beginning of the disease, many of the symptoms may be not very specific to one or another form of rheumatism, which is why a specialist evaluation by a rheumatologist is so important”, advises the specialist.
causes of rheumatism
Since there are several types of rheumatic diseases, the causes can also be diverse. According to Ingrid Moss, in a simplified way, rheumatic diseases are divided into:
- Predominantly mechanical in nature: resulting from repetitive movements, over a prolonged period of time or with the application of exaggerated force, as is the case with osteoarthritis and tendon problems.
- With inflammatory involvement: those that can have several causes, such as autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), infections (infectious arthritis, arthritis related to arboviruses) and arthritis caused by crystals (gout and pseudogout).
Groups of risk
Diseases can affect anyone, even if some groups are more affected by a certain disease. “Arthrosis, for example, affects more the elderly and people who live with mechanical overload of the joints (obesemanual workers, high-performance athletes)”, explains the rheumatologist
Still according to Ingrid Moss, the presence of a first-degree relative with rheumatic disease also increases the chances of developing other cases in the family, depending on the disease. Therefore, family history is always investigated at the time of consultation.
Identify the symptoms
As there are hundreds of rheumatic diseases, the symptoms vary greatly according to each one. “But they usually include joint pain and limitation stricken. Sometimes swelling and redness may occur. Rigidity (a feeling of ‘rusty joints’) is quite frequent, and is usually milder in degenerative diseases and more prolonged (longer than one hour) in inflammatory diseases”, clarifies Ingrid Moss.
How to treat rheumatic diseases
The cure or treatment for the diseases can also vary in each case. “Diseases commonly known as soft tissue rheumatism, such as tendinitis, bursitis, and some types of infectious arthritis are curable. To the chronic rheumatic diseases there is no cure, but there is treatment and control, which greatly improve symptoms and quality of life”, says the rheumatologist.
how to prevent
Some rheumatic diseases are autoimmune. Therefore, there is no way to prevent it, as it will depend on the disease. “Most arthritis of an autoimmune nature is very difficult to prevent. The most important thing is to pay attention to the symptoms and see a rheumatologist as soon as possible”, explains the doctor.
Still according to Ingrid Moss, unlike rheumatoid arthritis, arthrosis has a greater chance of prevention, “through early control of the mechanical risk factors that favor its onset, such as avoiding obesity, practice physical exercises regularly under supervision and correctly and avoid inappropriate postures both at work and in other daily activities”.
Rheumatic diseases in men and women
Some rheumatic diseases affect more men and others, women. “Gout, spondyloarthritis and some types of osteoarthritis affect men more. Other rheumatic diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and hand arthrosis are more common in females, but this is not exclusive, as all diseases can affect both sexes. It is still not clear why this happens, but hormonal differences are possibly implicated in this context”, analyzes Ingrid Moss.
Source: Maxima
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