rheumatism

(noun)

Any disorder of the muscles, tendons, joints, bones, nerves, characterized by pain, discomfort, and disability.

Related Terms

Examples of rheumatism in the following topics:

  • Rheumatic Fever

    • Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can develop as a complication of inadequately treated strep throat.
    • Acute rheumatic fever commonly appears in children between the ages of six and 15, with only 20% of first-time attacks occurring in adults.
    • The illness is so named because of its similarity in presentation to rheumatism.
    • However the antibodies may also react against the myocardium and joints, producing the symptoms of rheumatic fever.
    • Acute rheumatic fever is treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin and corticosteroids.

  • Heart Valve Disorders

    • Valvular heart disease resulting from rheumatic fever is referred to as rheumatic heart disease .
    • While developed countries once had a significant burden of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, medical advances and improved social conditions have dramatically reduced their incidence.
    • Many developing countries, as well as indigenous populations within developed countries, still carry a significant burden of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease and there has been a resurgence in efforts to eradicate the diseases in these populations.
    • The center of the image shows an aortic valve with severe stenosis due to rheumatic heart disease.

  • Rheumatism and Arthritis

    • Rheumatism or rheumatic disorder is a non-specific term for medical problems affecting the joints and connective tissue.
    • The term "rheumatism" is still used in colloquial speech and historical contexts, but is no longer frequently used in medical or technical literature; there is no longer any recognized disorder simply called "rheumatism."
    • Some countries use the word rheumatism to describe fibromyalgia syndrome.
    • The term "Rheumatic Diseases" is used to refer to connective tissue disorders.

  • The Complement System and Heart Disease

    • The most common form of autoimmune heart disease is rheumatic heart disease, or rheumatic fever.

  • Fibromyalgia

    • In most cases, patients with fibromyalgia symptoms may also have laboratory test results that appear normal and many of their symptoms may mimic those of other rheumatic conditions such as arthritis or osteoporosis.

  • Sjögren's Syndrome

    • It is estimated to affect as many as 4 million people in the United States alone, making it the second most common autoimmune rheumatic disease.
    • Sjögren's syndrome can exist as a disorder in its own right, as primary Sjögren's syndrome, or may develop years after the onset of another autoimmune rheumatic disorder, as secondary Sjögren's syndrome.

  • Bacterial Infections of the Heart

    • If they have been damaged - from rheumatic fever, for example - the risk of bacterial attachment is increased.

  • Hypersensitivities

    • These antibodies can damage heart muscle with autoimmune attacks, leading to rheumatic fever.

  • Coccidiomycosis

    • Coccidioidomycosis (commonly known as "Valley fever", as well as "California fever", "Desert rheumatism", and "San Joaquin Valley fever") is a fungal disease caused by Coccidioides immitis or C. posadasii .

  • Myocarditis and Endocarditis

    • If they have been damaged (from rheumatic fever, for example) the risk of bacteria attachment is increased.