Home Remedies for Rheumatism

The word rheumatism is derived from the Greek word 'rheuma', which means a swelling. It refers to an acute or chronic illness which is characterized by pain and swelling of the muscles, ligaments and tendons, or the joints. The medical terminology for rheumatism arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctor may refer to your condition as such. Rheumatism arthritis is a chronic and painful disorder which can attack the joints on your arms and legs leaving them inflamed and swollen. Although rheumatism symptoms may often resemble those of another condition called osteoarthritis, one can spot a few differences between them. In rheumatism arthritis, the lining in the joints is inflamed while in osteoarthritis the painful condition is due to wear and tear of joints and ligaments. Left untreated, rheumatism arthritis would ultimately result in denuded bones and permanently distorted joints. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is a painful condition but may not cause any permanent damage.

Palindromic Rheumatism

The older rheumatism definition included any pain in the muscles, joints, tendons and bones. This was then corrected due to advancement in modern medicine where any specific pain in the joints is defined as rheumatoid arthritis.

Another painful condition that may often be mistaken for rheumatism arthritis is Palindromic rheumatism or PR. Referred to as the Hench-Rosenberg syndrome after the two medical experts who suggested the medical term, this painful joint condition seems to recur over a period of time. In fact, the linguistic term palindrome applies to words like Mom, Dad, gag, and so on, which mean the same if you read them in either direction. In this case, it signifies a back and forth reaction. Palindromic rheumatism describes the back and forth pain of this condition.

Palindromic rheumatism may also seem like a ‘moving’ condition. It may affect several different joints at once or may recur in different joints over a period giving the impression that the pain is moving through the various joints. The biggest difference between Palindromic rheumatism and rheumatism arthritis is that the former does not cause any permanent joint damage and may also occur in soft tissues away from the joints.

It is very difficult to predict and diagnose Palindromic rheumatism since the swelling and pain may last for a few hours or a few days and then subside. Between Palindromic rheumatism attacks, there is no trace at all of swelling and inflammation. Many individuals who suffer from Palindromic rheumatism may go on to develop rheumatoid arthritis or arthritis of the bones. Hence, a wrong diagnosis may occur in the case of different types of arthritis.

Rheumatism Arthritis Treatment

While there is no cure for rheumatism arthritis, medical experts are now certain that individuals may be genetically pre-disposed to the condition. Despite medical solutions, individuals may want to adopt physical therapy and alternate treatments for rheumatism arthritis.

• Your doctor might recommend a visit to a physical therapist. A few simple exercises prescribed by the therapist may help joint flexibility. In case of pain or discomfort of the joints, your therapist may help you come up with solutions or ideas to perform everyday activities without putting too much pressure or stress on your inflamed joints.

• The physical therapist may also introduce you to assisting devices which can help you grip objects better. A walking stick could mean less pressure on the knees and ankles to support your weight. Your doctor and therapist may also recommend moderate intensity exercises like swimming, water aerobics, walking, and so on to lose weight, in case you are overweight. Obesity in patients with rheumatism arthritis can complicate or worsen the condition.

• Oral medication may include anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone induced steroids to slow the process of joint damage and reduce chronic pain and immunosuppressant drugs to control the function of the immune system and its response to the joints. However, all these medications have moderate to severe side effects. All medication must follow prescription and strict supervision of your doctor.

• Severely damaged joints may require corrective surgery.

• A few self-care tips such could be followed to keep the pain at bay. One should avoid cigarettes which are known to increase pain in rheumatism arthritis patients. Besides this, exercising daily, and finding ways to relax and de-stress your body can help slow down the onslaught of rheumatoid arthritis and keep the pain under control.

• A warm or cold compress would help relieve the pain in case of a rheumatism arthritis attack. Warm compresses or a hot water shower may relieve the pain in the arm and leg joints. On the other hand, some individuals find that cold compresses numb the painful flare-ups and decrease the spasms.

While the debilitating pain of rheumatism arthritis may seem to interfere with your everyday activities, do try to control your physical life. Make time for regular exercise; but also ensure that you let your body rest. Rheumatism arthritis could cause muscle weakness and fatigue.

Participate in your local support groups or arthritis chapter or connect with individuals suffering from the same conditions on national arthritis communities online. They will keep you updated on any new treatment, therapy, or prevention tips that might help.

Rheumatism arthritis should not put a stop or limit your everyday lifestyle. With proper care and prevention, you can prolong the health of your joints and take control of the pain.

Rheumatism Symptoms

Fever, Pain, Intense Soreness and Stiffness

The onset of the acute variety of rheumatism is characterized by fever, intense soreness, and pain. In the acute muscular type, the area becomes so sensitive that even the weight of bed clothing aggravates the pain. It may settle into a chronic state under a wrong mode of treatment. If the disease is not treated properly in the acute stage, it may become chronic. The symptoms of chronic muscular rheumatism are pain and stiffness of the affected muscles. In the case of chronic articular rheumatism (pain in the joints), pain and stiffness are felt in one or more joints of the body, with swelling in most cases.

While there is no definite cure for rheumatism arthritis, early diagnosis of rheumatism symptoms could help individuals to stop permanent damage. This could be done with the help of oral medication, physical therapy and in severe cases, surgery. All this would help to correct joint posture. Rheumatism arthritis is a result of the body’s autoimmune malfunction. Because of this malfunction, the body attacks the synovium or synovial fluid, the gel-like lining on the soft tissue that surrounds and protects your joints, leaving it inflamed. The inflammation thickens the synovium, which may push against the joints causing misalignment or misshapen joints.

Studies show that a greater percentage of women than men are likely to suffer from rheumatism arthritis. Demographics suggest that individuals in the age group of 40 to 60 years are more likely to experience pain due to rheumatism arthritis.

• Early rheumatism symptoms may include persistent pain in the joints along with swelling.

• Apart from pain and swelling, if your joints are tender to the touch, you may suffer from rheumatism arthritis.

• Individuals suffering from rheumatism arthritis may also experience persistent fevers and chills.

• Fever may be accompanied by a feeling of fatigue.

• Swollen hands that are burning red and hot to the touch are another indication of rheumatism arthritis.

• Individuals suffering from rheumatism arthritis may find prolongated symptoms of morning soreness in their limbs.

• Some individuals may also notice a nodule like growth underneath the skin on their arms.

• Rapid weight loss is also a common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis.

Many of the above symptoms are also common to other bone or joint conditions such as osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and arthritis. Therefore, it is important to consult your doctor if you identify any of these rheumatism arthritis symptoms and get a proper diagnosis of the condition.