Rheumatism

Rheumatism is a group of diseases mainly involving the joints, bones, muscles, blood vessels and related soft or connective tissue, most of which are autoimmune. Onset is often insidious and slow, the course is long, and most have a genetic tendency. Diagnosis and treatment are difficult; various autoantibodies can often be detected in blood, possibly related to different HLA subtypes; there is a good short- or long-term remitting response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants.

Common Symptoms

Bone bi; myasthenia; panniculitis; fever; rheumatic vasculitis

Causes

The body responds to exogenous or endogenous antigen directly or presented by macrophages, activating corresponding T cells; some T cells produce many inflammatory cytokines causing varying degrees of tissue and organ damage; some T cells in turn activate B cells to produce many antibodies that, directly or combined with antigen into immune complexes, damage tissues or organs. In addition, monocyte chemotactic proteins (such as MCP-1) produced by monocytes can participate in the inflammatory response. Most rheumatic diseases, whether due to exogenous antigens from infection or endogenous antigens produced in the body, can trigger or aggravate this autoimmune response, and various antibodies may appear in serum. Recent studies show that some rheumatic diseases, especially connective tissue diseases, are closely related to heredity and patient susceptibility and disease expression, which is meaningful for early or atypical cases and prognosis; HLA (human leukocyte antigen) is most important. Years of research show that various infectious factors and microbial antigens or superantigens can directly or indirectly trigger immune responses. Imbalance of estrogen and progesterone is related to the occurrence of various rheumatic diseases. For example, ultraviolet light can induce SLE. Some drugs such as procainamide and some oral contraceptives can induce SLE and ANCA-positive small-vessel vasculitis.

Treatment

Medication, physical therapy, surgery, supportive treatment

Prevention

1. Seek early diagnosis and treatment. Although disability is high, patients with joint swelling and pain can still control progression, reduce disability and even cure the disease through vigilance, early diagnosis and reasonable treatment. 2. Strengthen exercise to improve fitness; regularly take part in sports or labor to enhance the ability to resist wind-cold-damp. 3. Avoid wind-cold-damp invasion; after labor or exercise, do not bathe in cold water while sweating, and avoid direct wind; wash and air bedding often; change sweaty underwear promptly. The living environment should be sunny and well ventilated. 4. Balance work and rest; overwork damages healthy qi and lets wind-cold-damp invade; balance work and rest, eat regularly, keep regular hours, avoid excess, and balance activity and rest. 5. Maintain a normal mental state; clinical experience shows mental stimulation, excessive grief and depression are important triggers, and emotional fluctuations often worsen the disease, so a normal mental state is important for immune function. 6. Prevent and control infection; some rheumatisms follow tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, chronic cholecystitis or dental caries, believed to result from the immune response to these pathogens, so preventing infection and controlling foci are important.

Recommended Department

It is recommended to visit the rheumatology and immunology department; before the visit you may first book an appointment and connect with experts through this platform.

Warm reminder: The above information is provided for health education reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek care at a regular hospital in time.