Introduction
By “rheumatism” one understands all illnesses of the so-called rheumatic form circle, which covers altogether approx. 450 different diseases. What they all have in common is that the immune system turns against its own body, especially against structures of tissues and joints.
Among the most well-known rheumatic diseases are rheumatoid arthritis, the group of collagenoses and M. Bekhterev. The diagnosis is made mainly by the appearance of the symptoms and by blood tests. The therapy consists in regulating the immune system.
Definiton
The term rheumatism refers to a form of rheumatism composed of various clinical pictures. Under the collective term rheumatism numerous diseases of the support and movement organs, altogether approx. 450 different diseases, are summarized.
The cause of rheumatism lies in an exuberant reaction of the immune system. The immune system does not recognize certain structures and cell associations of the body as its own and initiates an immune reaction, therefore all rheumatic diseases are autoimmune diseases. This leads to the known inflammatory reactions, which then lead to the symptoms of rheumatism.
Why it comes with some to the formation of rheumatism, is not known. Meanwhile, there are some well-proven drugs available which, if used early, can also contribute to a standstill of the disease. If used late, it is often the case that the advanced stage of the disease has already led to joint changes with malpositions. Common complaints with all rheumatic diseases are above all joint pain with accompanying joint swelling.
Causes
Cause of the rheumatological illnesses are autoimmune reactions of the body to body-own cell federations. Why the body classifies and fights certain structures and areas as foreign is not known. A rheumatological disease causes a defensive reaction of the body, because it “thinks” that these are structures foreign to the body that have to be fought.
Thereupon the immune system is set on these structures and inflammatory reactions are promoted, which then damage the body-own structures. It is assumed that numerous environmental factors, smoking and poor nutrition also contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases. It is also said that recurrent infectious diseases increase the risk of developing rheumatic diseases, but this has not been proven.
Often, so the assumption, a complicated interaction of many factors is necessary at certain times, so that a rheumatism illness can break out. Whether there are other triggers for a rheumatic disease is not known. However there are indications of hereditary components, i.e. the danger that rheumatism can be passed on over generations.
Also all autoimmune illnesses occur with women more frequently than with men, so also many rheumatic illnesses. Rheumatism can break out in very different forms and in very different manifestations. Today’s treatment is very individually adapted to the corresponding form of rheumatism and, if started early enough, is successful. Possibly also interesting for you: Causes of rheumatoid arthritis, nutrition in rheumatism
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