Due to the excessive accumulation of uric acid salts in the blood, significant inflammatory problems with the connective tissue of the body appear. This disease is called rheumatism. In children, it occurs most often. The average age of patients does not exceed 15 years. But kids under 3 get this ailment in very rare cases.
Often, rheumatism is preceded by diseases such as tonsillitis, scarlet fever or pharyngitis. Also, the cause of this ailment may be a predisposition in the hereditary plan to such a disease.
Rheumatism in children. Disease picture
Usually, the disease is accompanied by damage to the cardiovascular system. Moreover, over time, problems only worsen. Joints are affected to a large extent.
Rheumatism in children begins at 2-4 years. Among the symptoms are:
- Fever.
- Swelling of the joints and their painful condition. First, large knee and hip joints suffer. Their shape is largely changing. That is, rheumatism of the legs first develops.
After the damage to the joints has begun, muscle weakness and atrophy develop . If no treatment is undertaken, even the bone tissue changes significantly in the advanced version of the disease . This is especially evident in the radiograph. All changes in the joints and bones lead to the possibility of dislocations.
In just a few days, lymph nodes increase in children with rheumatism. They are non-purulent seals, very painful. During treatment, of course, they decrease.
The liver and spleen in a patient with rheumatism also increases (on average by 2-3 cm). From the internal organs the heart suffers. Doctors note that patients suffer from tachycardia or myocardial dystrophy.
How to treat rheumatism?
Children with rheumatism are hospitalized. The course of treatment lasts at least 2 months. Moreover, proper nutrition should be provided.
First of all, medication is prescribed. Among many drugs, antirheumatic drugs are prescribed. Be sure to prescribe analgin and acetylsalicylic acid. The dose individually is selected solely by the doctor. Today they also use Metindol and Voltaren ointment. These drugs are often combined with hormonal agents.
If a severe course of the disease is observed, then specialists prescribe Brufen, Chloroquine or Delagil. Be sure in complex therapy, patients take vitamins.
With a positive tendency to recovery, therapeutic massage and gymnastics are prescribed. Patients need to go to physiotherapy. If necessary, special surgical correction is also possible.
After inpatient treatment, patients are sent to a sanatorium under the supervision of a cardiologist. Indeed, only with timely help to patients can the occurrence of heart disease occur . The prognosis for rheumatism in children is very favorable, if the development of the disease is noticed in time. Otherwise, the consequences can be very serious.
Rheumatism in children. Preventive measures
There are no vaccinations that could protect children from rheumatism. However, in order to protect children from this disease, you need to temper the body of the kids, provide the child with a full and balanced diet. Do not interfere with sports. All this will make the child healthy and resistant to various diseases, including rheumatism.
If the baby is still ill with rheumatism, then it is necessary not to delay the disease. And the most important measure that should be taken in the first place is a strict bed rest of the patient. There should be access to fresh air. As for food, it should be not only diverse, but also nutritious, light and containing a large amount of vitamin C.