Rheumatoid diseases are the most common. They were known in antiquity, however, it was previously believed that these ailments develop as a result of improper fluid circulation in the body.
There are many diseases that have similar symptoms, which is why if you experience any signs that will be described below, you must definitely contact a rheumatologist for diagnosis and treatment.
Features of rheumatic diseases
Systemic disorders of connective tissue are commonly called rheumatoid diseases. They are characterized by extensive damage to the connective tissue and blood vessels, which is associated with a violation of the immune system.
Damage to connective tissue manifests itself in the form of systemic degenerative processes. All rheumatoid diseases have certain clinical and morphological features, which depends on the localization in various organs and tissues. The course of ailments is chronic and undulating.
The degenerative process affects bones, cartilage, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Rheumatoid diseases are characterized by painful sensations, decreased motor activity of the extremities, and limited functioning of one or more affected areas. In particular, there are signs of swelling, inflammation, a feeling of heat, redness.
The main rheumatoid diseases
There are many different rheumatoid diseases of the joints, among which it is necessary to highlight such as:
- ankylosing spondylitis;
- gout;
- fibromyalgia;
- arthritis;
- lupus;
- osteoarthrosis;
- polymyalgia;
- scleroderma.
Ankylosing spondylitis is characterized by damage to the spine. This disease occurs in young people and occupies the tendons of the shoulders, hips, knees, causing intense pain and limited mobility.
Many people suffer from gout. This disease is characterized by the formation of urea microcrystals in the joints. The lesion mainly affects the big toes, causing severe bouts of pain and the formation of a tumor. The most common gout in women.
Some forms of arthritis occur due to the penetration of bacterial and viral infections into the body. The disease develops with a bite of an infected tick, which subsequently provokes inflammation, stiffness of the joints and painful sensations. Idiopathic juvenile arthritis occurs mainly in childhood, causing swelling, pain, and also leads to limited joint mobility. In some cases, it may be accompanied by a rash and a fever.
Psoriatic arthritis develops in people suffering from various skin diseases. It affects the joints, and can also occur on the nails. Rheumatoid arthritis is a joint disease that is characterized by the destruction of synovial tissues, causing pain, swelling and other disorders. Unlike all other types of rheumatoid diseases, arthritis develops symmetrically. Most often it occurs in women.
Among rheumatoid autoimmune diseases, lupus should be distinguished. Pathological cells destroy tendons. Basically, this ailment occurs in women.
Polymyalgia rheumatism mainly affects the arteries, causing headaches, inflammation, rapid weight loss, and fever. A person suffers from stiffness in the joints, pain in the lower back, in the neck, thighs, there is an aches. Unpleasant symptoms appear as a result of damage to muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments.
Rheumatoid joint diseases differ somewhat in their symptoms, however, there are general rules. Once the disease has been diagnosed, treatment should be started immediately to avoid the development of dangerous complications.
Rheumatism
Among systemic rheumatoid diseases, rheumatism should be distinguished. It is characterized by significant damage to the joints, cartilage or organs. Basically, the disease occurs in childhood or adolescence, although many are not aware of its existence. The main reason for the formation of rheumatism is mainly streptococcal respiratory infection, which leads to the development of acute tonsillitis, pharyngitis. In the absence of timely comprehensive treatment, the disease flows into the chronic stage.
The main signs of the disease occur after a certain time after a previous respiratory illness. Inflammation builds up gradually, while in some joints the pain goes away, and in others it appears almost immediately. The inflammatory process may be intermittent. It lasts for 10-14 days, then calms down a bit and resumes again.
The greatest danger of this systemic rheumatoid disease is that, in addition to the joints, the heart is additionally affected. The main goal of the treatment is to eliminate streptococcal infection, which provokes the onset of the disease and the appearance of complications. For prevention, it is necessary to carry out health-improving general strengthening measures.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis refers to diseases of the joints, which are characterized by progressive damage to the joints, which leads to their deformation and loss of mobility. The most commonly affected knee joints, leading to disability.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that often affects middle-aged and elderly people. With its course, certain antibodies are formed in the human body, the work of which is directed against their own joints. The onset of the ailment is due to a genetic predisposition, infections and many other causes. In the course of inflammation, a sufficiently dense granulation connective tissue is formed, which begins to grow and leads to the gradual destruction of cartilage tissue. As a result, the usual mobility of the joints decreases. At more advanced stages, the disease can lead to a complete loss of mobility.
Rheumatoid arthritis refers to diseases that are accompanied by deformation of the limbs, which leads to a partial or complete loss of the existing musculoskeletal function. Patients lose their ability to work and become disabled. Doctors distinguish several stages of the disease rheumatoid arthritis, which have their own characteristics. It is very important to conduct timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent dangerous complications.
The first stage of the pathology is characterized by synovitis, that is, effusion into the articular cavity, which can occur in various forms. In the second stage, characteristic changes occur in the joints, thickening of the synovial membrane, as well as proliferation of connective tissue.
When the third stage proceeds, an articular joint fusion is observed, which makes movement in the affected area impossible. The onset of the disease is characterized by the occurrence of swelling of the fingers, which is combined with inflammation and swelling. Together with the swelling of the joints, damage to the foot occurs, which manifests itself in the form of painful sensations under the toes of the toes. As development proceeds, the pathology gradually affects more and more tissues, there is swelling and pain in the elbows, ankles, shoulders.
When rheumatoid arthritis occurs, the symptoms of the disease do not immediately appear: at the initial stage, the patient does not even suspect the presence of the disease. Then, signs such as:
- stiffness of movements in the morning;
- periodic pain;
- fever;
- the formation of rheumatoid nodules.
In addition, the defeat can affect almost all organs - coverage depends on the degree of activity of the pathology. However, this is very rare. Rheumatoid arthritis is quite severe and causes many unpleasant symptoms. Treatment of the disease must necessarily be comprehensive. It includes:
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- glucocorticoids;
- biological agents;
- basic reinforcing agents.
Anti-inflammatory drugs help very quickly stop an acute attack and achieve a stable remission. In the acute course of the disease, the course of therapy is supplemented by high doses of glucocorticoids. Biological agents help prevent necrosis, which can provoke damage to the body’s own tissues. With the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis, the prognosis of the disease largely depends on the severity of the pathological process, as well as the characteristics of the treatment. In severe and advanced cases, the disease can lead to disability.
Rheumatoid Polyarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis disease is an inflammation of one or several joints at once. There are certain types of this pathological process. The disease refers to a severe systemic disorder of the connective tissue, which can lead to partial disability of the patient or even his disability.
Basically, the disease develops in people aged 30-35 years and often women suffer from a similar pathology. This is a rheumatoid autoimmune disease that mainly destroys small joints.
The main reason for its occurrence is considered to be a malfunction of the immune system. As a result of this, immunity begins to perceive the cartilage of the joint and its structure as foreign. For this reason, inflammation begins. Often, pathology can be triggered by a hereditary factor. Immune disorders contribute to external and internal causes. These include:
- hypothermia of the body;
- exposure to pathogens;
- stress
- allergens and toxins;
- trauma.
Polyarthritis is a very serious illness that is difficult to treat. Among its main features, it is necessary to distinguish such as:
- stiffness in the joint in the morning;
- pain when touched;
- inflammation of more than three joints.
At later stages, numbness of the extremities, fever, burning in the affected area, and a change in the shape of the joints are observed. The pathological process can affect other organs, in particular, the heart, lungs, kidneys. If such symptoms occur, you should immediately consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Therapy should be comprehensive and long-lasting. It is aimed at reducing pain in the patient. Anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to eliminate inflammation. Basic drugs are of great importance. Despite the fact that their action is slow, medications have a beneficial effect on the mechanism of the onset of the disease and slow down the process of joint destruction.
Sokolsky's disease
Among the rare diseases of the rheumatoid type, Sokolsky's disease should be distinguished. It is characterized by the fact that it mainly affects the cardiovascular system, in particular, causes myocarditis and endocarditis. In some cases, patients have marked changes in the joints, which are manifested in the form of fever, swelling, severe pain, swelling in the affected joints. Due to severe pain, a person tries to give the limbs a flexion position.
After eliminating the attack, joint functions are almost completely restored. Most often affected ankle, elbow, knee joints. The disease is mainly growing, paroxysmal in nature, while the pathology affects a wide variety of areas.
The treatment of this disease is mostly conservative and involves the use of medications and a course of physiotherapy. In especially severe cases, patients are prescribed surgery. When conducting treatment at the initial stages, the prognosis is favorable.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
This disease affects mainly people at a young age. It develops as a result of a primary chronic lesion of the synovial membrane of the rib-vertebral, intervertebral, and sacroiliac joints. As a result, fibroid deposits form, and sometimes there is necrosis of the articular cartilage and the gradual rejection of pathological particles into the joint lumen.
Degenerative changes begin to develop in the discs, ossification of the joint capsule, synchondrosis and joint ankylosis are observed . Ligaments begin to deform and ossify. In the development of this pathological process, hereditary factors play a very important role.
Symptoms are characterized by the fact that the restriction of movements in the region of the spinal column with their complete loss gradually increases. Pathology gradually affects various joints, their elasticity is inevitably lost. Among the main signs of this disease can be distinguished such as:
- irritability;
- sharp weight loss;
- severe weakness;
- drowsiness.
The disease is very slow, and also progresses over several years. As a result, there is pain in the bones, especially with increased physical exertion. The temperature remains within normal limits, the gait is constrained and an increase in ESR is observed. Patients become incapacitated. After a certain time, the pathology can affect a variety of tissues and organs. Damage to the joints is characterized by a significant narrowing of the joint spaces, ankylosis, as well as many other disorders.
The treatment is quite complicated and is usually limited to conservative therapy, which includes the use of medications, physiotherapy and physiotherapy. The prognosis of the course of the disease is unfavorable.
Calcaneus Spurs
The disease is characterized by the formation of a spiky or hook-shaped outgrowth on the calcaneus at the site of attachment of the plantar ligament. In some cases, its course is almost asymptomatic. It is noted that in 20% of patients “spurs” are bilateral.
Some doctors consider such a formation as the formation of a skeleton, while others consider it to be a pathological growth that forms in the presence of chronic trauma, rheumatism, flat feet and other inflammatory processes.
Among the main signs, burning pain can be distinguished, which resembles the feeling of the presence of a nail in the heel. When standing, the pain is greatly enhanced. Pain occurs with the formation of periostitis and inflammation of the underlying mucous bag. In some cases, heel spur is combined with hyperkeratosis. On the x-ray can be found elements of the calcaneus.
Treatment is carried out conservatively. In particular, the patient is shown to undergo thermal procedures, Novocain injections. In the presence of persistent pain and the ineffectiveness of conservative therapy, surgical removal of the neoplasm is indicated.
Shoulder-blade periarthritis
Shoulder-scapular periarthritis is characterized by the fact that the inflammatory process proceeds in the soft tissues that surround the shoulder joint. The basis of the development of the disease is trauma, colds, rheumatic infections. In pathogenesis, a neurotrophic lesion occupies a very important place.
Among the main signs of the occurrence of disorders, painful sensations in the shoulder joint, impaired sensitivity, muscle atrophy can be distinguished. Basically, the disease has a chronic course. At the very beginning of its development, almost no changes in the joints are detected. After some time, osteoporosis begins to develop. In the elderly, arthritic changes in the shoulder joint are very often found.
In the acute period, compliance with complete rest is shown, which is why immobilization of the limb is required. For treatment, novocaine blockades and radiotherapy are necessary. In the chronic course of the disease, thermal procedures, physiotherapy exercises, massage, and UHF therapy are prescribed. In especially advanced cases, surgical treatment and removal of existing calcareous deposits is required. The forecast is quite favorable.
Epicondylitis and styloiditis
These diseases result from hypothermia or injuries. Among the main signs of the course of the disease, it is necessary to highlight the presence of pain in the humerus, limitation of mobility, as well as swelling.
When conducting x-rays, special changes are not observed, in addition to signs of osteoporosis. The treatment is predominantly conservative, as with other types of rheumatoid diseases. .
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Causes of occurrence
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- smoking;
- excess weight;
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Main symptoms
Symptoms of rheumatoid diseases, regardless of the provoking factor, are practically no different. Among the main features can be identified such as:
- constant pain in the joints;
- pain in the joint during palpation;
- temperature rise;
- severe swelling and inflammation in the affected area;
- stiffness and redness of the skin;
- lack of energy, increased fatigue, weakness, poor health;
- limitation of the range of motion or flexibility of the joint.
If all these signs occur, you should definitely consult a doctor for a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment appointment.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of rheumatoid diseases is based on a medical history, examination, as well as the results of instrumental studies and laboratory tests. Often, the correct diagnosis can be made far from immediately, therefore, a comprehensive examination is required. Some patients may need several doctor visits so that they can be accurately diagnosed and prescribed appropriate treatment.
Treatment
The treatment of rheumatoid diseases is selected purely individually in each case, it all depends on the characteristics of the pathology. There is no specific treatment tool or technique that is optimal for all patients.
During the treatment, anti-inflammatory drugs are often used, which have a more pronounced effect than drugs that reduce the main symptoms. New modern biological products are considered the most effective.
Taking medications is a traditional type of treatment for rheumatoid diseases. However, there are also many other methods, in particular, the introduction of drugs into the joint cavity or soft tissues, chiropractic, acupuncture, alternative medicine. In some particularly severe cases, surgery is prescribed.
Treatment must be comprehensive and timely, as rheumatoid diseases can reduce life expectancy and lead to disability. Regular monitoring of the presence of comorbidities is recommended.