RHEUMATISM AND HOW TO TREAT IT

Rheumatism is a disease that affects a person's joints and is a major concern for many people.

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November 02, 2025

Why Rheumatism Occurs

Rheumatism differs from gout pain because the source of the problem is the body's immune system failing to detect its own tissues. Gout, on the other hand, stems from the buildup of purines in the blood vessels.

This failure to detect tissue causes inflammation, which can lead to swelling, pain, and difficulty walking. Several factors can increase the risk of exposure, including:

Gender: Women are three times more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than men (study, M. Gersosa et al., "Rheumatoid arthritis: a female challenge," 2010, National Library of Medicine).
Age: This disease most often appears between the ages of 40 and 60.
Genetics: Inherited from parents with the same disease.

Symptoms of joint disorders:

Rheumatism can affect almost any part of the human body, from the wrists and knees to the toes. Symptoms of rheumatism can vary from person to person, but in general, the signs are as follows:

1. Stiff joints in the morning.

People with rheumatism often feel stiff and robotic upon waking. This stiffness can last a long time and be more severe than regular osteoarthritis.

2. Swollen and painful joints

Joints affected by rheumatism usually feel warm, painful, and tender to the touch.

3. Lumps

Approximately 20% of people with rheumatism experience small lumps under the skin, especially around the joints. These lumps usually persist for as long as the disease persists.

4. Joint fluid buildup

In some cases, fluid accumulates behind the knee, forming a Baker's cyst, which feels like a small tumor.

5. Tingling or numbness

Rheumatism can also cause pinched nerves due to tendon swelling, resulting in a tingling sensation in the hands and feet.

Diagnosing joint disorders

Initially, the symptoms of this disease are difficult to detect because they are very similar to other joint diseases (see gout).

Doctors usually perform an initial diagnosis by reviewing the patient's medical history. If this is still unclear, they may proceed with an x-ray, blood tests such as rheumatoid factor, or joint fluid analysis.

These various tests will yield results that reveal the root cause of painful and swollen joints.

Rheumatism Treatment: From Medication to Surgery

To date, there is no magic pill that can instantly cure rheumatism. Only medications available on the market can reduce inflammation and pain, and minimize joint damage.

Some of these medications include:

1. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

Types such as ibuprofen and naproxen work to relieve pain and inflammation.

2. Steroids (corticosteroids)

These work to quickly control joint inflammation, but their use requires medical supervision.

3. DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs)

Types such as methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine help prevent permanent joint damage.

4. Biological Therapy and Immunosuppressants

These drugs work by inhibiting the activity of the immune system, inhibiting the activity of the triggers for rheumatic disease.

In severe cases of rheumatism, surgery is the doctor's choice. This is done to replace the joint completely or fusion the joint to stabilize the damaged joint.

Healthy Lifestyle for Rheumatism Sufferers

In addition to medical treatment, sufferers are strongly advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle, such as:

Doing light exercise regularly to maintain joint flexibility
Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet (high in vegetables and fruits)
Getting enough rest and managing stress well

However, for those who have already developed this disease, I recommend immediately consulting a rheumatologist for treatment.

The bottom line is that rheumatism is not just a common disease but is quite complex because it involves the human immune system.