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 due to overload, wear or excessive stress, by the prolonged repetition of the same movement, for example. But there are triggering factors such as colds, heredity, pathogens (viruses, bacteria) or metabolic disorders, by the accumulation of uric acid crystals for example in tissues and joints. Osteoarthritis then begins and can affect joints that are less mechanically stressed, such as those of the fingers or hands. Polyarthrosis, for example, has a hereditary origin. The cartilage is constantly in the regeneration phase, but this tissue is not vascularized (without blood vessels). There is a balance between its components which are water and proteins (chondroitin and proteoglycans). It is during joint movements that the cartilage captures the water and nutrients it needs. By sparing the joints and making them work properly, it is possible to prevent the wear of the cartilage to a certain extent and to ensure its regeneration.

Symptoms and Treatments

The symptoms of rheumatism differ depending on the type of disease involved, but there are always three symptoms: pain in the joints (hands, knees, hips, back and neck), swelling of the joints and a feeling of stiffness, especially in the morning. The joints become more flexible as they are “unlocked” during the day. The diagnosis of rheumatism is made through a classic medical examination of the affected and painful joints. Depending on the location and symptoms, imaging may be performed. This may be an x-ray, CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound. Blood tests are also offered. The treatment of rheumatism varies according to the pathology: inflammatory, infectious or degenerative. We often use analgesics and painkillers such as paracetamol, anti-inflammatories or other analgesics. In cases of bacterial infections, treatment will use antibiotics or may be surgery. In the event of a problem, consult your doctor and then a rheumatologist who will confirm the diagnosis and direct you to appropriate treatment. At the top, there are painkillers and anti-inflammatories taken orally or locally on medical prescription.

The 4 categories of rheumatism

Rheumatism includes a wide variety of conditions, acute or chronic, located mainly in the joints and the soft tissues that surround them. It is characterized by pain and congestion (fluid flow into the tissues). There are four main categories: inflammatory rheumatism, degenerative rheumatism, peri-articular rheumatism and bone rheumatism.

1. Inflammatory rheumatism

Inflammatory rheumatism causes inflammation of the joints for a long time. The most common is arthritis, also called rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This autoimmune disease is characterized by inflammatory flare-ups in the joints of the hands and fingers especially, which become deformed, reducing mobility. Sometimes the infection affects other organs such as the kidneys, lungs and heart. These rheumatisms take on several faces, depending on the part of the body affected or the age of the patient. We speak, for example, of polyarthritis when several joints are in pain, of juvenile arthritis for affected children, of spondyloarthritis when the pelvis or the spine are affected and which mainly affects young men. Most of these rheumatisms are chronic diseases. The pain can increase in intensity and lead to a real handicap in the life of the person affected. Symptoms usually subside during sleep, but disturb it and the pain is more intense when you wake up.

2. Degenerative rheumatism

Degenerative rheumatism, also called osteoarthritis, is a condition where joint cartilage is damaged. From the age of fifty, one in two people suffers from degenerative symptoms, mainly in the spine, hips or knees. At a more advanced stage, the cartilage may even completely disappear. This disease occurs when the joints are overworked for a long time. The patient experiences swelling and/or stiffness in their joints, potentially accompanied by pain. However, degenerative rheumatism usually does not cause serious problems.

3. Peri-articular rheumatism

As their name suggests, peri-articular rheumatism affects the soft parts located around the joints. These are therefore rheumatisms that appear outside the joints. This form of rheumatism manifests itself in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, 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

Some tips for a healthy daily lifestyle can help prevent attacks and live better with rheumatism. To do this, avoid 2 dangers and adopt 2 good habits.

– First of all, tobacco, in addition to its known harmful effects on health in general, also seriously harms the joints. It is therefore advisable to quit smoking if you suffer from rheumatism.

– Then, stress is a factor that promotes flare-ups and causes inflammatory crises in the joints. It is therefore advisable on a daily basis to manage stress well and to consume alcohol and coffee in moderation. – The diet must be balanced, with lots of natural anti-inflammatories, antioxidants (fruits and vegetables), omega 3 (fatty fish, oilseeds, garlic, ginger, etc.), vitamin E and trace elements (zinc and selenium). In addition, being overweight can aggravate the pain.

– Adapted physical activity makes it possible to relax the joints and keep in shape. Walking, gentle gymnastics, yoga or aquagym have very beneficial effects. The regular practice of a sport also contributes to prevent rheumatism and overweight provided, however, to avoid violent sports.

Choose alternative medicine

Rehabilitation through physiotherapy strengthens the muscles and softens the joints. It is supplemented by regular exercises to be carried out at home. Spa treatments are medically recognized for their therapeutic virtues in the treatment of joint pain. At last, 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;

– the ash tree is a plant that contains a lot of potassium salts and mannitol which promote the elimination of uric acid. In infusion, it promotes the drainage and elimination of toxins responsible for inflammation of the joints.

Effective natural solutions

Phytotherapy offers beneficial anti-inflammatory remedies to fight against these pathologies that attack the bones and joints. I have obtained very good results by treating this disease for more than 20 years, by massage with the association of oils of jasmine, sweet almond, jojoba, sesame, lavender, rose, lemon , eucalyptus, orange, lemon fragrance, black cumin, camphor, galbanum and thyme. For ABE members, I offer a pack for people suffering from rheumatism and for those who want to protect themselves healthily and have a good winter. This pack contains a massage oil, a Kamran balm (anti-inflammatory) and a box of Turmeric capsules.