Arthritis is a common condition and causes inflammation in the joints. You can read here how these symptoms manifest themselves and what other signs point to a rheumatic disease.
Table of Contents
What is rheumatism?
Rheumatism is the overriding factor of various chronic joint inflammations and is one of the autoimmune diseases. In rheumatism, the immune system attacks and damages the cells in the joints. Rheumatism cannot be cured, but can be treated well with medication. According to the German Rheumatism League, around 100 diseases belong to rheumatism. The most common form is rheumatoid arthritis . The joints in the fingers, hands and toes are primarily affected by inflammation. However, rheumatism can also occur in knees, shoulders, hips, feet and the cervical vertebrae. In some cases, the disease can also affect the organs.
4 signs of arthritis
A rheumatic disease such as the widespread arthritis is primarily noticeable through the following symptoms:
- Aching and swollen joints
- Limited movement in the joints: Simple movements like tying shoelaces or opening a bottle are painful challenges for arthritis sufferers.
- Overheated joints
- Red joints
At the beginning of the disease, non-specific signs such as tiredness, loss of appetite or fever appear. At the same time, there are problems in the joints. The intensity and course of the disease can vary greatly. For example, those affected report that the joints are stiff, especially in the morning. The symptoms improve as the day progresses. The mobility and strength in the diseased joints gradually decreases. As the disease progresses, joint misalignments can develop.
Signs of rheumatism are complex
Depending on which form of rheumatism is present, there are further differences in terms of the signs. If, for example, there is vasculitis – i.e. an inflammation of the blood vessels – this can make itself felt in addition to pain in the joints, as well as visual disturbances or headaches. Skin changes can also occur. For example, psoriatic arthritis occurs as a result of psoriasis .
treatment of arthritis
Arthritis is not curable, but treatable. Patients with arthritis are primarily treated with medication. A commonly used anti-inflammatory drug is methotrexate. Biologica are also part of the basic drugs. These are protein substances that suppress inflammation. In addition to drug treatment, physiotherapy plays a crucial role. Thanks to physiotherapy, the muscles are strengthened and the mobility of the joints is improved.
