Previously, rheumatism was called all diseases in which joints and muscles, soft tissues and many other organs responsible in the human body for support and movement were affected. In recent years, this definition has been revised. Currently, the term "rheumatism" is replaced by "rheumatic diseases."
Concept of pathology
Rheumatism - what is this ailment? This is a disease that develops for no apparent external reason. It begins with a streptococcal infection and continues with damage to the joints, heart muscle, nervous system and some other organs.
However, modern medical literature does not use the term “rheumatism”. What does this mean? The fact is that the world community uses a different term when describing this pathology. It sounds like "acute rheumatic fever." For a long period, pathology was very common. The consequence of its development often became heart defects. However, in recent years, cases have been significantly reduced when the patient is diagnosed with rheumatism. What does it mean? The fact is that science offers a number of very effective preventive measures. This is mainly the use of antibiotics to kill streptococcal infection. Modern medicine is more often faced with the consequences of rheumatism, which the patient suffered in childhood, if it was in those days when antibiotic prophylaxis was not carried out.
Rheumatism - what is this pathology? This is a disease that affects connective tissue. Mostly this applies to the cardiovascular, nervous system, as well as the skin. Many people mistakenly consider rheumatism joint pathology. However, this ailment proceeds briefly and is completely reversible. But damage to the heart muscle leads to malformation and early disability.
Symptoms
The disease rheumatism manifests itself only two or three weeks after the patient suffered an infectious infection, the causative agent of which became streptococci. In most cases, such a disease is angina. Less commonly, pyoderma affecting the skin.
The patient feels a sharp deterioration in health. He has a fever. Swelling, redness and soreness of the joints appear. These symptoms are a sign of arthritis. Large joints are usually affected. They are the shoulder, knee and elbow joints. Less commonly, pathology extends to small joints of the hands and feet.
Often patients complain of migratory pain symptoms. These unpleasant sensations change their location from one joint to another. Arthritis with rheumatism lasts no more than seven days.
Treatment
The basis for the effective disposal of rheumatism lies in the strict observance of the regimen recommended by the doctor. With inflammation of the heart muscle, the patient should reduce salt intake.
To get rid of streptococcus, penicillin-type antibiotics or macrolides are prescribed. Anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs (Ibufen or Diclofenac) should be included in the course of treatment. They help reduce the activity of inflammatory processes.
In the event that fluid retention occurs in the body, diuretics are recommended. In the treatment of defects, antiarrhythmic drugs are used.
Diagnosis of ailment
Identification of pathology is possible only if rheumatism tests are taken. Their main goal is to identify streptococcal infection. Moreover, this must be done at a certain time. Six weeks should elapse from the onset of joint damage. The causative agent of the disease is determined by sowing a smear with tonsils. An increase in the amount of C-reactive protein in the blood, as well as an increase in ESR, will also indicate an infection. Confirmation of the diagnosis is possible only with echocardiography and ECG, in which the functioning of the heart muscle is examined.