Around 40% of the world's population suffers from the first symptoms of rheumatism with some disease of this type already underway. This percentage varies depending on the geographical area. In Spain, the prevalence is 1 in 4 people over 20 years of age.
It should be noted that the word rheumatism is not a disease in itself, but rather it is a concept that encompasses a group of ailments located in the musculoskeletal system. It also includes connective tissue and metabolic bone diseases.
What is rheumatism?
As we have said, there is no disease called rheumatism, but rather it is a term that encompasses a series of symptoms related to pain in the musculoskeletal system. We also have here lupus and scleroderma and bone metabolic disorders such as osteoporosis and osteomalacia.
Rheumatological diseases are very common in the population, but they tend to affect women and older people more. However, rheumatism can be found at any age, causing great disability.
Causes of rheumatism
Currently, the specific cause of rheumatological diseases is unknown. However, its origins have been established as multifactorial and complex. The fact that a disease is multifactorial means that it does not have a single etiology.
Rheumatism happens because there are external factors that affect a genetically susceptible individual. That is, a person with altered genes only has a risk of suffering from the disease, but may never develop it.
However, if the right environmental factors occur, they can cause activations and imbalances in gene expression, producing the first symptoms of rheumatism at any time. In turn, the immune system plays an important role in development.
Rheumatism has a greater incidence in cold and humid countries that are located at latitudes close to the poles. However, in hot countries with latitudes close to the center, there is usually less prevalence. The reason why this phenomenon occurs is not very well known, but it may be related to the influence of environmental factors.
For example, in different studies, it was observed that people who migrated from countries where the incidence of rheumatism was low, when they settled in cold countries and higher latitudes, after several years they had almost the same risk of suffering from diseases of this type. Even descendants of these migrated people who continued living in the host country had the same risk.
First symptoms of rheumatism
The first symptoms of rheumatism can coincide with various diseases, although we are in such a wide field of possibilities. We are going to name you and tell you about some that tend to be the most relevant.
Pain
The most recurrent and important symptom is pain. The location will depend on the type of rheumatic disease suffered. It is most frequently located in and around the joints.
There is no specific form of pain, but it depends on each person and their particular sensitivity. It may be a temporary pain or when certain movements are performed, such as the following:
- Pain in the hands when sewing: classic rheumatoid arthritis. In this disease there is significant involvement of the joints of the fingers of the hand, causing stiffness.
- Knee pain when walking
- Back pain when bending over
Rigidity
Pain is the main symptom, but it is not the only condition that occurs. Along with it, patients may experience stiffness of the joints or affected area.
It usually appears in the mornings and subsides when a certain time of day has passed. The weather plays a key role in the development of the sign, accelerating in winter and persisting for longer hours in the cold.
Swelling or swelling
The joints, so that they can carry out movements correctly, are composed of a joint cavity filled with synovial fluid. This fluid is what nourishes the joint and prevents friction between the bones it joins.
Rheumatism causes inflammation in this synovial fluid, producing substances that destroy the joint from within, such as toxins. Therefore, rheumatic patients may present swelling or swelling in the joint area or surrounding areas.
Are the first symptoms of rheumatism only joint symptoms?
The first symptoms of rheumatism do not always appear limited to the joints. There may be initial manifestations in other organs such as the skin, eyes, mouth, digestive system, lung and kidney. It even affects the heart, since rheumatic patients tend to have a higher incidence of valve disease.
As rheumatological diseases also include connective tissue pathologies, such as lupus or scleroderma, in these cases the entire body is affected. It may begin with fever or nonspecific fatigue.
It is important to keep in mind the family history and the study of blood markers. But in the end, the diagnosis will be based on clinical and physical evidence over any other complementary method.
What to remember about the first symptoms of rheumatism?
As we have mentioned, the first symptoms of rheumatism are not very specific and can be confused with other diseases. It may also happen that we do not give them importance, attributing them to age, aging or lack of physical condition.
However, they are degenerative and very disabling disorders that require adequate treatment. Therefore, it is important to go to the doctor to have the blood markers studied and the family presence of similar disorders tracked.
The last benefit of CBD that we will discuss is its effect on pain management. CBD is well known for its pain-relieving benefits, which is exactly what people suffering from rheumatism are looking for.
Highlighting the benefits of CBD for rheumatism
- It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and slows the progression of the disease.
- It exerts a modulating effect on the immune system to keep the progression of the disease under control
- Powerful analgesic relieves pain and discomfort
- Provides relief from some of the side effects of the disease, including insomnia, depression and anxiety
