Rheumatism, how to treat and prevent it?
By Dr Shahid Nasim
Health has always been a subject that interests and worries all adults. In the bone area, nearly one in three French people suffers from rheumatism. This disease, characterized by pain in the joints, mainly affects people over the age of 50. Rheumatism is a rather vague term, given to all diseases that cause pain or inflammation affecting joints or nearby structures. These are generally chronic diseases, that is to say, which persist over time. Let's look at the causes, symptoms and classic and natural treatments.
Causes of rheumatism
Joint wear and tear is part of the body's aging process. Most joint diseases are caused by overuse, wear and tear, or excessive stress, such as prolonged repetition of the same movement. However, there are also triggering factors such as colds, heredity, pathogens (viruses, bacteria), or metabolic disorders, such as the accumulation of uric acid crystals in tissues and joints. Osteoarthritis then begins and can affect joints that are less subject to mechanical stress, such as those in the fingers or hands. Polyarthrosis, for example, has a hereditary origin. Cartilage is constantly regenerating, but this tissue is avascular (without blood vessels). There is a balance between its components, which are water and proteins (chondroitin and proteoglycans). It is during joint movements that cartilage absorbs the water and nutrients it needs. By protecting the joints and ensuring they function properly, it is possible to prevent cartilage wear to some extent and to ensure its regeneration.
Symptoms and Treatments
The symptoms of rheumatism vary depending on the type of disease, but three symptoms are always present: pain in the joints (hands, knees, hips, back, and neck), joint swelling, and a feeling of stiffness, especially in the morning. The joints become more flexible as they are "loosened" throughout the day. Rheumatism is diagnosed through a standard medical examination of the affected and painful joints. Depending on the location and symptoms, imaging may be performed. This could include an X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound. Blood tests are also recommended. Treatment for rheumatism varies depending on the underlying condition: inflammatory, infectious, or degenerative. Pain relievers such as paracetamol, anti-inflammatories, or other analgesics are often used. In cases of bacterial infections, treatment will involve antibiotics or may be surgical. If you experience any problems, consult your general practitioner and then a rheumatologist who can confirm the diagnosis and guide you toward appropriate treatment. The most common treatments include oral or topical pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, prescribed by a doctor.
The 4 categories of rheumatism
Rheumatism encompasses a wide variety of conditions, both acute and chronic, primarily affecting the joints and surrounding soft tissues. It is characterized by pain and congestion (fluid retention in the tissues). Four main categories are distinguished: inflammatory rheumatism, degenerative rheumatism, periarticular rheumatism, and bone rheumatism.
1. Inflammatory rheumatism
Inflammatory rheumatic diseases cause inflammation of the joints over a long period. The most common is arthritis, also called rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This autoimmune disease is characterized by inflammatory flare-ups, primarily in the joints of the hands and fingers, which become deformed and reduce mobility. Sometimes the infection affects other organs such as the kidneys, lungs, and heart. These rheumatic diseases present in various forms, depending on the affected body part or the patient's age. For example, polyarthritis occurs when several joints are affected, juvenile arthritis affects children, and spondyloarthritis affects the pelvis or spine, primarily affecting young men. Most of these rheumatic diseases are chronic. The pain can increase in intensity and lead to significant disability in the life of the affected person. Symptoms generally lessen during sleep, but disrupt sleep, and pain is more intense upon waking.
2. Degenerative rheumatism
Degenerative rheumatism, also known as osteoarthritis, is a condition in which the articular cartilage is damaged. Starting around age 50, one in two people suffers from degenerative symptoms, primarily affecting the spine, hips, or knees. In more advanced stages, the cartilage can even disappear completely. This disease develops when joints are subjected to excessive stress over a prolonged period. The patient experiences swelling and/or stiffness in their joints, potentially accompanied by pain. However, degenerative rheumatism generally does not cause serious problems.
3. Peri-articular rheumatism
As their name suggests, periarticular rheumatism affects the soft tissues surrounding the joints. Therefore, these are rheumatic conditions that appear outside the joints themselves. This form of rheumatism manifests in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, synovial bursae, and intervertebral discs. This type of rheumatism is very common.
4. Bone rheumatism
Bone rheumatism is
– as their name suggests
– rheumatism that affects the bone structure. The most classic example is osteoporosis or bone decalcification. This chronic disease causes ever-increasing bone fragility, and these can go so far as to break.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle
A few tips for good daily hygiene can help prevent flare-ups and improve your quality of life with rheumatism. To this end, avoid two dangers and adopt two good habits.
– First of all, tobacco, in addition to its well-known harmful effects on general health, also seriously damages the joints. It is therefore advisable to quit smoking if you suffer from rheumatism.
Stress is a contributing factor that can trigger flare-ups and inflammatory episodes in the joints. Therefore, it's advisable to manage stress effectively on a daily basis and consume alcohol and coffee in moderation. A balanced diet is also important, rich in natural anti-inflammatories, antioxidants (fruits and vegetables), omega-3 fatty acids (oily fish, nuts, garlic, ginger, etc.), vitamin E, and trace elements (zinc and selenium). Furthermore, being overweight can worsen pain.
– Appropriate physical activity helps to improve joint flexibility and maintain fitness. Walking, gentle gymnastics, yoga, and water aerobics all have very beneficial effects. Regular exercise also helps prevent rheumatism and weight gain, provided, however, that high-impact sports are avoided.
Choose alternative medicine
Physiotherapy strengthens muscles and improves joint flexibility. It is complemented by regular exercises to be done at home. Thermal spa treatments are medically recognized for their therapeutic benefits in treating joint pain. Finally, plants can relieve rheumatism.
The 7 main ones are:
– harpagophytum is a plant that soothes pain;
– turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on people with rheumatism, specifically osteoarthritis;
– Meadowsweet flower, calms pain thanks to methyl salicylate, which according to phytotherapy professionals, acts on rheumatic pain as soon as it is oxidized in the body;
– blackcurrant leaves facilitate the elimination of toxins and uric acid. They therefore have a diuretic effect in addition to anti-inflammatory and anti-degenerative effects;
– an infusion of white willow bark calms rheumatic pains and reduces inflammation;
– Canada fleabane is a plant with diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. Taken as an infusion, it is effective in the treatment of all types of rheumatism: arthritis and osteoarthritis. It also relieves pain;
– Ash is a plant rich in potassium salts and mannitol, which promote the elimination of uric acid. As an infusion, it aids drainage and the elimination of toxins responsible for joint inflammation.
Effective natural solutions
Herbal medicine offers beneficial anti-inflammatory remedies to combat these conditions that attack bones and joints. I have obtained excellent results treating this disease for over 20 years using massages with a blend of jasmine, sweet almond, jojoba, sesame, lavender, rose, lemon, eucalyptus, orange, lemon fragrance, black cumin, camphor, galbanum, and thyme oils. For ABE members, I offer a kit for those suffering from rheumatism and for those who want to protect themselves healthily and have a good winter. This kit contains a massage oil, Kamran balm (anti-inflammatory), and a box of turmeric capsules.