No matter what kind of disease we have, serious or not, it is never a pleasant experience. We have some sort of control over our own health, in most cases, but many illnesses or diseases cannot be prevented. One such disease that cannot seemingly be prevented, are rheumatic diseases. Many people wonder what are the causes and treatment of rheumatic diseases, but it is not that straightforward to answer. Important to know, is that you get more than 100 types of rheumatic diseases.
Different rheumatic diseases
This is a disease that attacks your muscles and joints. The main types of rheumatic diseases known are osteoarthritis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. All three types attack the linings of joints and causes immense pain in the joints. Swelling could also form and it can lead to joint destruction.
The causes
The rheumatic disease named osteoarthritis can be caused by normal “wear and tear” of your joints. For rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system will come under attack. The immune system would then attack your joints lining and causes severe swelling and pain. The “wear and tear” of especially osteoarthritis, damages the cartilage in your joints, which wears down over time, leaving your joints unprotected. This lack of protection leads to the pain you will feel, because of the movement of bone on bone.
Common symptoms
Typically known symptoms for osteoarthritis are the following:
- Pain and swelling of your joints.
- Joint stiffness and instability
- Weakness of your muscles
- Pain when you walk
- You struggle to grip an object
- Bending over, or sitting is difficult
- Not easy to dress yourself or even comb your hair.
If you are not 100% sure, you will have to visit your doctor, who will ask you about your medical history, and he might have to do some blood tests to help ruling out other diseases with similar symptoms.
Treatments
Natural treatments for rheumatic diseases are the most popular today. These popular treatments include natural supplements, the use of magnets, relaxation remedies and moist heat. None of these treatments have been fully tested though, but many have experienced good results through using them. Consulting your doctor before using any of them will be a good idea. Most doctors will recommend that you make use of cold and heat treatments for the treating of rheumatoid arthritis. These treatments help keep down joint swelling and relieve the joint pain and any possible inflammation.
Tips and comments:
Living with a rheumatic disease is not easy. You need to be careful about the type of food that you eat. Take a lot of natural supplements and remedies. Despite the fears you might have, you need to know that you can actually live a normal life with arthritis. Make sure you also take your medical doctor’s advice; they are the best people to consult whenever you feel something is not right. If you notice or feel any of the symptoms stated then you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.
