With the onset of cold weather, many diseases are exacerbated, one of which is rheumatism. What are his risk factors, what is the treatment and is it possible to avoid this attack?
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Rheumatism is known for mankind for a long time. Even in the treatises of the ancient Chinese medicine and the writings of the hypocratic, the symptoms of this disease are described. Nowadays, at the mention of rheumatism, inflamed, swollen joints are immediately remembered. However, in reality, this disease is more multifaceted.
Speaking by medical language, rheumatism is a systemic infectious-allergic disease with damage to the tissues of the cardiovascular system and joints. Interestingly, women suffer from rheumatism about 3 times more often than men, but in a mature age category, this distinction disappears. Recently, cases of rheumatism in children and adolescents have become more frequent, and the disease is usually evolving after unrealized ARVI and Angine.
The main reason for the development of rheumatism is the streptococcal infection that amazes the body with a reduced immunity. Such a defeat with streptococcus (groups a) responsibly for the acute phase of the disease. Subsequently, with protracted manifestations of rheumatism, allergic and autoimmune causes of unpleasant symptoms go to the fore. It is also shown that some genetic factors play a key role in the predisposition to rheumatism, and therefore blood relatives suffer more often.
As we noticed, rheumatism amazes first of all the joints, and such a defeat is called rheumatoid arthritis. By the way, among the articular disorders, rheumatoid arthritis is most often found. If the disease covers several joints at once, then it is called polyarthritis. Especially vulnerable to ankle and ray-tunny joints.
If only one type of joints suffers (usually large articulation, for example, knee or elbow), then it is rheumatoid monoarthritis. Interestingly, the joints are inflamed symmetrically, that is, simultaneously on both limbs.
The first symptom of acute rheumatoid polyarthritis is an increasing, acute pain in the joints, which is enhanced even with small movements. Against the background of the pain appears the swelling of the articular region and soft tissues over the articular joint. The pain exacerbates when touched, and the skin becomes hot to the touch. Often the acute phase of rheumatism is accompanied by a high temperature up to 38-40C and abundant sweating.
Interestingly, arthritis manifestations are very «Volati»: They can quickly disappear in the same joints and also quickly move to other. In the absence of treatment with time, rheumatoid arthritis is striking more and more joints, moving to chronic stage. In this case, the patients are difficult to move, there is a special stiffness in the mornings in the limbs.
With rheumatism, in addition to arthritis, it is possible to increase lymph nodes, as well as violations in the operation of the peripheral nervous system (neuritis). Such embracing symptoms indicate a reduced organism resistance and high disease activity. With timely treatment, which we will talk about, unpleasant symptoms, eventually retreat.
The most dangerous complication of rheumatism is the defeat of the internal organs: kidneys, lungs and hearts (Mio- and endocarditis). So, the share of rheumatism accounts for about 80% of acquired (i.e. received after birth) heart defects. Violations in the work of the heart muscle and valves lead to shortness of breath, increased heart rate, arrhythmiam, chest pain.
At the first signs of acute rheumatism, bedding is shown or even hospitalization that lasts up to several weeks. During this period, it is especially important to follow the prescriptions of the doctor and regularly take medicines. Usually to relieve symptoms of rheumatism use:
• anti-inflammatory agents (aspirin, indomethacin, diclofenac);
• glucocorticoids (prednisone, dexamethasone);
• Antibiotics (Penicillin, ampicillin);
• Preparations for immunity stimulation (gamma globulin, histoglobulin).
When detecting heart lesions, it is possible to use drugs to stimulate cardiac activity - cardiac glycosides (stanfantine, digoxin), as well as diurendics (furosemide). The observance of diet plays great importance: it is necessary to enrich the diet with fruits, vegetables, eggs, and easily used proteins (chicken meat, low-fat veal, fish).
To maintain the heart function, you should pay attention to the products with a large content of potassium ions (dried potatoes, potatoes, buckwheat porridge), and to stimulate immune and anti-inflammatory response - vitamin C (rosehip, sweet pepper, cauliflower, citrus). It is important to limit the reception of the table salt and excessive fluid, as they contribute to the swelling and increase the load on the heart.
Physiotherapy procedures are widely used to eliminate rheumatism (heating UHF lamps, medicinal electrophoresis, infrared radiation). Effective paraffin and mud appliques for affected joints, as well as radon, oxygen, hydrogen sulfide baths. These procedures are included in the proposal of many sanatoriums, so resort treatment is very popular with rheumatism suffering. When sharp symptoms retreat, it is important to carry out therapeutic massage and wellness exercises to maintain the function of the joints.
Recipes of traditional medicine offer effective means to relieve pain, elimination of the swelling, the saturation of the joints with anti-inflammatory components.
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1 lemon (along with the skin) shallow and pour the glass of vodka or diluted in 2 times the medical alcohol. Let's break 2-3 days. Running joints in the evenings in the evenings, rising joints with a tincture obtained, and then wrap the finiteness in woolen or flannel cloth. Lemon has a good anti-inflammatory effect, and the alcohol stimulates blood circulation, heats up, increases the penetration of active substances deep into the tissues.
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Similar recipe can be used with birch kidney. 2-3 tablespoons of the kidneys should be finely chopped and pour vodka (alcohol). Apply the same as the previous tincture. Birch kidneys are unusually rich in vitamins, have excellent healing and anti-inflammatory effects.
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To mitigate symptoms of rheumatism, such a compress is suitable: lubricate the sore joint with animal fat (preferably interior), impose a dressing of cotton or linen fabric moistened in vodka (alcohol), and over wrap the finiteness woolen fabric or a downhew.
