Rheumatism
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Rheumatism, also known as rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatism, is a collective term for several different diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Rheumatism is an autoimmune disease and can become chronic if left untreated.
Those affected suffer from pain and inflammation in muscles, joints, tendons and connective tissue. The severe local inflammation in rheumatism can lead to long-term destruction of the joints and organs, which is why the inflammation must be contained.
Symptoms of Rheumatism
The symptoms of rheumatism are very variable. Joint pain, connective tissue changes, stiffness and swelling are among the most common manifestations of this disease. The joints can become deformed and mobility decreases. Those affected often also complain of tiredness, exhaustion and fatigue.
Causes of Rheumatism
The causes of rheumatism are varied and influence each other. The following causes of rheumatism are discussed:
- Genetic predisposition (familial clustering)
- Smoking
- Unhealthy lifestyle and diet
Integrative Explanatory Approaches: In holistic medicine, it is also intensely discussed to what extent other factors chronically burden the immune system and, given the appropriate predisposition, could act as additional triggers. These include possible imbalances in the gut flora (e.g., dysbiosis, SIBO, or leaky gut), undetected food intolerances, hidden foci of inflammation (silent inflammations), micronutrient deficiencies (e.g., vitamin D), or toxic burdens (such as heavy metals).
Gregor Nowak
In the case of rheumatism, the causative factors should be identified and treated with individually tailored therapies. It is important to prevent the destruction of tissue caused by inflammation during the entire therapy.
Soft Tissue Rheumatism
Soft tissue rheumatism is also known as fibromyalgia and must be distinguished from classic rheumatism. As the name suggests, soft tissue rheumatism tends to affect the soft tissue types of the body. Joints and bones are not affected by soft tissue rheumatism.
We will go into the clinical picture of fibromyalgia in more detail in another article.
Treatment of Rheumatism
Treatment of rheumatism should not only alleviate the symptoms, but also always address the causes. A thorough diagnosis is necessary before treatment in order to identify the individual causes.
Conventional treatment of rheumatism includes drug therapy to relieve pain and inflammation. Supportive measures such as physiotherapy or occupational therapy are also used.
From the perspective of integrative medicine, complementary treatments can provide important accompanying support. For example, professional gut rehabilitation can help promote general immune balance, and proven micronutrient deficiencies can be specifically addressed. In addition, a search is conducted for hidden inflammatory foci (so-called silent inflammations, for example in the jaw area) to relieve the immune system of potential additional stressors.
Specific procedures such as chelation therapy are primarily evaluated as a complementary measure in cases of proven toxic burdens. In particularly severe, therapy-resistant cases, blood purification procedures (such as INUSpherese) can also be considered in specialized centers to specifically filter pro-inflammatory substances and autoantibodies from the blood.
Containing the inflammation is very important in rheumatism therapy in order to prevent permanent damage to the joints and organs.
Further information
The information listed contains relevant topics and serves to improve understanding.