Rheumatism facts for kids
Rheumatism or Rheumatic disorder is a general term for medical problems. These problems can affect many parts of your body. They often hurt your joints, bones, and muscles. Sometimes, they can also affect your heart, kidneys, skin, or lungs.
The study of these conditions is called rheumatology. Doctors who specialize in this field are called rheumatologists. They help people understand and manage these disorders.
What are Rheumatic Disorders?
Rheumatic disorders are not just one disease. They are a group of many different conditions. These conditions often cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. They can make it hard to move or do everyday activities.
Some common types of rheumatic disorders include:
- Ankylosing spondylitis: This mainly affects the spine. It can make your back stiff.
- Back pain: Many things can cause back pain. Some types are related to rheumatic conditions.
- Bursitis/ Tendinitis: These happen when parts around your joints get swollen. This can cause pain in your shoulders, wrists, knees, or hips.
- Fibromyalgia: This causes widespread pain in the body. It can also lead to tiredness and trouble sleeping.
- Neck pain: Like back pain, neck pain can sometimes be a sign of a rheumatic issue.
- Osteoarthritis: This is a common type of arthritis. It happens when the protective cartilage at the ends of your bones wears down.
- Psoriatic arthritis: This affects some people who have psoriasis, a skin condition. It causes joint pain and swelling.
- Rheumatic fever: This is a serious illness. It can happen after a strep throat infection.
- Rheumatic heart disease: This is a long-term problem. It can develop if rheumatic fever damages the heart.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: This is an autoimmune disease. Your body's immune system attacks your own joints.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus: Often called lupus, this is another autoimmune disease. It can affect many parts of the body, including joints, skin, and organs.
- Temporal arteritis and Polymyalgia rheumatica: These conditions cause swelling in blood vessels or muscles. They often lead to pain and stiffness.
- Tenosynovitis: This is when the sheath around a tendon gets swollen. Tendons connect muscles to bones.
How are Rheumatic Disorders Treated?
In the past, many traditional herbal remedies were used for "rheumatism." Today, we know that different rheumatic disorders have different causes. This means they also need different kinds of treatment.
Modern medicine offers many ways to help. Doctors use various treatments to reduce pain and swelling. They also work to improve how well people can move. Treatments can include medicines, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. Sometimes, a mix of conventional and complementary treatments is used. The goal is always to help people feel better and live full lives.
See also
In Spanish: Reumatismo para niños
