Treatment of rheumatism with modern and folk remedies
Rheumatism is a systemic disease of the connective tissues and blood vessels, which is of an infectious and allergic nature. This disease develops, most often as a complication of acute streptococcal infection in children and adolescents from 7 to 15 years old, but rheumatism can also affect the body of an adult, especially an elderly person with a weakened immune system.
There are five options for the localization of the rheumatic inflammatory process:
- Rheumatic heart disease - affects all membranes of the heart: the pericardium, endocardium, but above all the myocardium;
- Rheumopolyarthritis is an articular form of the disease;
- Rheumochorrhea - rheumatic vasculitis of the small vessels of the brain;
- Rheumoerythema is a cutaneous form of the disease;
- Rheumopleuritis is a rheumatic inflammation of the bronchi, lungs and pleura.
In very rare cases, rheumatic peritonitis of internal organs can develop, as well as rheumatic hepatitis or rheumonephritis. But usually the infection does not reach the digestive tract, liver and kidneys.
If there is a suspicion of rheumatism, treatment should be started immediately, because this disease is dangerous for its formidable complications, first of all, the development of a severe heart defect. The treatment of rheumatism in children and adults is carried out by a doctor of profile specialization - a rheumatologist. And today we will tell you everything about the modern therapy of this disease, traditional methods of treatment, spa activities and the optimal diet for patients.
Content:
Treatment of rheumatism in adults
- Drug therapy for rheumatism
- Food
- Balneotherapy is the best spa treatment
- Clinical examination of patients with rheumatism
Treatment of rheumatism in children
- Therapy of indolent rheumatism in children
- Therapy of acute rheumatism in children
5 most effective remedies for rheumatism
- Turmeric will ease pain
- Propolis for rheumatism
- Omega-3 reduces inflammation by 50%
- Aconite roots are the strongest remedy
- Pine needles
Treatment of rheumatism in adults
At the first stage of rheumatism treatment, an experienced rheumatologist throws all his strength into suppressing streptococcal infection, since it was she who served as the main cause of the development of the disease. The second most important after antibiotic therapy is hormonal therapy, since too intensively the current inflammatory process threatens with irreversible destructive changes in the heart. In the third most important place can be put immunomodulatory therapy, spa and physiotherapy treatment, dispensary observation, hardening - in a word, all the measures necessary to prevent recurrence of rheumatism and return the patient to a healthy, active life.
Treatment of rheumatism in adults is carried out in three stages:
- Inpatient therapy (1.5-3 months);
- Treatment in a special sanatorium with a cardio-rheumatological direction;
- Regular visits to the polyclinic for dispensary registration.
Drug therapy for rheumatism
The basic composition of the antirheumatic program includes antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, corticosteroid, antihistamines, pain relievers, immunomodulatory drugs, as well as cardiac glycosides, NSAIDs (new generation non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), vitamins, potassium and magnesium.
The main goal of hormonal therapy is to avoid the development of pancarditis, a total defeat of all the membranes of the heart. For the relief of an acute inflammatory process, the patient is administered corticosteroids under constant dynamic ECG observation for 10-14 days: prednisolone or methylprednisolone. You can enhance the anti-inflammatory effect with drugs like diclofenac: diclobene, dicloran, voltaren. They are taken either orally (in tablets) or rectally (in suppositories).
A new word in the non-hormonal treatment of rheumatism is NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): aertal, ketonal, nemulid, ambene, nimasil, celebrex. The last drug in a dosage of 200-400 mg / day is the best choice, since it combines high efficiency and complete safety - celebrex almost does not give side effects from the gastrointestinal tract, unlike other anti-inflammatory drugs.
To eliminate the root cause of rheumatism, streptococcal infection, the following types of beta-lactam antibiotics are used:
- Amoxicillin - 1.5 g three times a day;
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin - similarly;
- Benzathine-Penicillin - injectable in case of severe side effects from the gastrointestinal tract with oral administration of penicillins;
- Cefadroxil - or another antibiotic from the cephalosporin group, 1 gram twice a day in case of intolerance to penicillins.
Treatment of protracted and often recurrent rheumatism is carried out using cytostatic immunosuppressants: azathioprine (imuran), chlorbutin, endoxan, 6-mercaptopurine. Chlorbutin is prescribed at 5-10 mg per day, and the calculation of the remaining drugs in this group is made based on the patient's body weight: 0.1-1.5 mg / 1 kg. Immunosuppressants are an extreme measure that has to be taken to suppress the inadequate hyperreaction of immunity to the infectious agent.
In addition to the above medicines for the treatment of rheumatism in adults, cardiac glycosides are used, drugs to maintain cardiac metabolism (pumpan, mildronate, taurine, phytorelax, instenon, trimetazidine, tonginal, molsidomine, hawthorn extract), as well as drugs that saturate the blood with potassium and magnesium (panangin, magnerot, asparkam).
Food
Severe patients with bed rest are shown a diet low in fat and carbohydrates, a complete rejection of salt and a decrease in fluid intake to one liter per day. If you sweat heavily, a small amount of salt is still added to food, since sodium chloride helps to retain moisture in the body.
The diet of a patient with rheumatism is enriched with vegetables, fruits and fresh juices. Fish, poultry, and lean meats are boiled, baked or steamed. One day is made mono-unloading: the patient eats only kefir, potatoes, salad, apples, cottage cheese with milk or dried fruits.
With rheumatism, you need to eat in small portions 5-6 times a day, avoid spicy foods and sauces, refuse bakery products and products that cause fermentation and gas formation (cabbage, grape juice, legumes, fatty whole milk, lemonade).
Find out more: Diet and nutrition for rheumatism
Balneotherapy is the best spa treatment for rheumatism
Mineral waters gently and naturally regulate hemodynamics, increase cardiac output and normalize the heartbeat, therefore balneotherapy is recommended as an optimal completion of the main stage of rheumatism treatment. A stay at a seaside resort has a positive effect on the general health and mood of the patient, and this is very important for a successful recovery.
The following types of mineral waters are used for the balneotherapy treatment of rheumatism:
- Radon;
- Sulfide;
- Sodium chloride;
- Carbonic;
- Iodine-bromine;
- Nitrogen-silicon
If, against the background of rheumatism, the patient has developed mitral-aortic heart disease, carbon dioxide and radon baths are best suited for him, which effectively restore hemodynamics and normalize the heart rate. Patients in a state of stable remission are shown applications from therapeutic mud to the area of joints affected by rheumatism.
On the subject: List of modern drugs and drugs for joints
Balneotherapy has a complex positive effect on the body exhausted by the disease: it strengthens the immune system, activates the endocrine glands, improves digestion and stimulates good appetite, eliminates insomnia, weakness and apathy. Unfortunately, balneotherapy is contraindicated only for patients with stage 2A heart failure and above, as well as for patients with aortic heart disease of stage HF and above.
Treatment of rheumatism in a sanatorium should not be limited to taking healing baths and drinking mineral waters. Walking in the fresh air, moderate physical activity, staying on the beach are useful, because the sea climate itself has an amazing effect on the sick organism. You can enhance the beneficial effect of balneotherapy by taking vitamins, minerals and drugs that nourish the heart and strengthen the immune system (we mentioned them above).
Clinical examination of patients with rheumatism
When the main stage of rheumatism treatment is left behind, it is necessary to regularly visit your rheumatologist or local therapist in order to take urgent measures at the first signs of remission. Close observation of the condition of a patient with rheumatism and preventive courses of taking supportive drugs are the key to a stable remission.
Clinical examination for rheumatism solves several problems:
- Control over the patient's condition and prompt response to any changes in his condition;
- Prescribing drugs to normalize blood circulation and support the heart, if necessary;
- Consultation with a surgeon and cardiac surgery if required;
- Analysis of the patient's ability to work and the solution of questions about the assignment of a disability group;
- Recommendations for lifestyle, proper nutrition, conditioning and physical activity.
Treatment of rheumatism in children
Unfortunately, rheumatism most often chooses children and adolescents as its victim, moreover, in these same patients in adulthood and old age, the disease usually recurs, and strikes a new blow to the joints and heart. A child with acute rheumatism usually has to be admitted to a hospital for a long (1.5-2 months) course of treatment. The therapeutic tactics are selected individually, based on the localization, the severity of the inflammatory process and the degree of destructive effect on the heart. Treatment of rheumatism in children is not only medication, but also special physiotherapy procedures and a special diet. But first things first.
Medical treatment of rheumatism in children is performed with the following drugs:
- Analgin or amidopyrine - 0.15-0.2 grams for each year of a child's life per day, but not more than 2.5 grams;
- Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) - 0.2-0.25 grams for each year of life per day;
- Sodium salicylate - 0.5 grams for each year of life per day, the dosage is divided into 4-6 doses and after the acute symptoms of rheumatism have subsided, they are gradually reduced, but not earlier than a month after the first registered attack of the disease;
- Butadion - for children under 7 years old, 0.05 g three times a day, from 8 to 10 years old - 0.08 g each, and adolescents over 10 years old - 0.1-0.12 g each.
In modern practice of treating rheumatism in children, combined preparations of pirabutol and rheopyrin are often used, which contain both amidopyrine and butadione. The dosage is also calculated based on the age of the little patient.
At the first, acute stage of the course of rheumatism, it is possible to overcome the inflammatory process and prevent irreversible damage to the membranes of the heart only with the help of synthetic hormones - corticosteroids. The most popular representatives of this class of medicines for the treatment of rheumatism are voltaren and indomethacin (metindol). Hormone therapy is carried out for at least a month.
Therapy of indolent rheumatism in children
If the disease develops very slowly, and until it causes significant damage to the heart muscle, glucocorticoids can be avoided, and instead of hormones, drugs from the chloroquine group can be used - plaquenil or delagil. The dosage is calculated based on body weight: 0.5-10 mg per kilogram.
For a child over seven years old, it is still advisable to prescribe a hormonal drug to suppress the inflammatory process: prednisolone, dexamethasone, triamcinolone at a dosage of 10 to 20 mg per day, depending on age, weight and the nature of the course of rheumatism.
If there are parallel infectious processes in the body, for example, a cold, then in addition to corticosteroids, a 14-day course of antibiotics is prescribed. The choice of the drug is at the discretion of the attending physician and depends on the type of infection.
In addition to drug treatment, dry heat, heating sollux, ultraviolet and UHF irradiation are used. Sluggish rheumatism in children does not require a constant stay in a medical hospital - usually the child is treated at home and attends the treatment room.
Therapy of acute rheumatism in children
If a child is diagnosed with pathological changes in the cardiovascular system and circulatory failure, he is shown treatment with drugs of the glycoside group: 0.05% strophanine solution, digitalis extract (0.03-0.075 g three times a day), 0.06 % solution of korglikon. In addition to glycosides, diuretics are used to treat acute rheumatism in children: fonurite and aminophylline.
In case of rheumatic colitis, it is advisable to add B vitamins to the standard set of antibiotics and corticosteroids (first of all, pyridoxine, 50 mg per day), as well as vitamin C in a glucose solution (1 ml of a 5% solution for 10-15 ml of a 20% solution) to maintain the body; the introduction is carried out intramuscularly, the course is 10 days.
To relieve pain and dull the severity of symptoms in the treatment of acute childhood rheumatism, novocaine and drugs of the antihistamine group are used: claritin, cetrin, loratadine.
The course of treatment of acute rheumatism in children takes on average one and a half to two months. Then the child is sent to a sanatorium-resort institution for another couple of months, to gain strength and recover from a serious illness. Despite the final recovery, all children who have undergone rheumatism are given a special medical record of form No. 30, which is kept in the clinic by the district pediatrician and serves as a constant reminder of the special status of the little patient.
Modern methods of treating rheumatism allow in 85-90% of cases to count on a complete recovery of the child, but still in 10-15% of children it is not possible to avoid the development of heart disease. If such a misfortune occurs, you will have to avoid physical activity for the rest of your life, adhere to a special diet and take supportive drugs. That is why it is so important to sound the alarm in a timely manner and consult a doctor at the first signs of a formidable illness.
5 most effective remedies for rheumatism
Turmeric will ease pain
A substance called curcumin, which is extracted from the popular spice turmeric, has been shown to be therapeutic for people with rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, the data obtained as a result of many studies indicate that curcumin helps to eliminate the inflammatory process that occurs in certain types of cancer, helps in the treatment of psoriatic lesions, intestinal diseases, and Alzheimer's disease. The substance has established itself as a fighter against autoimmune pathologies and chronic pain.
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Propolis for rheumatism
Most people know that propolis is a bee waste product that is actively used to treat a wide variety of diseases. It is also effective against rheumatism. The advantages of using propolis-based recipes are their safety, low cost, and the ability to use at home. c
- Recipe 1. You need to take propolis and form a cake from it. It is applied to sore spots during a night's rest. To keep the cake warm, you need to wrap it with a scarf on top and fix it securely.
- Recipe 2. It is necessary to grind propolis, after cooling it, and then grate it. After that, the resulting crushed mass is poured with wine alcohol and placed in a dark place for 10 days. During this time, the agent must be shaken and kept. After the past 10 days, the tincture is placed in the refrigerator for 10 hours and filtered. In case of rheumatism, it is used in the form of compresses, after having moistened gauze rolled in several layers with tincture. It is wrapped around sore joints, additionally insulated on top and left overnight. Such a compress is useful for the regeneration of tissues damaged by the disease, for increasing blood circulation. However, caution should be applied to areas with damaged skin, as this can increase irritation and pain.
- Recipe 3. From propolis, you can prepare an ointment, which, thanks to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, will help to eliminate the symptoms of rheumatism. To do this, you need to take petroleum jelly (about 100 g), warm it up, and at this time grind 10 g of propolis. When the petroleum jelly heats up, it is cooled to 50 ° C and the prepared beekeeping product is introduced there. The resulting mixture is put on fire and boiled for 10 minutes under a closed lid. After cooling, the ointment is filtered with gauze and applied to sore areas twice a day - in the morning and evening.
Find out more: the most effective way to use propolis
Omega-3 Relieves Joint Inflammation
There is no doubt about the benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated acid. Its ability to remove inflammation from joints in many diseases (rheumatism, arthritis, arthrosis) has long been proven.
Omega-3 intake reduces joint pain, and inflammation is relieved by 50% or more.
Its action is due to three main mechanisms:
- The acid improves the composition and functionality of the intra-articular lubricant. It helps to some extent to avoid age-related changes and to maintain the elasticity of ligaments and tendons for a longer time.
- Omega-3 slows down the irreversible breakdown of collagen fibers that make up the cartilage of the joint. This process intensifies with the development of the inflammatory process and in the presence of degenerative-dystrophic diseases.
- Omega-3 reduces the activity of most inflammatory reactions in the joint tissues.
Therefore, it is so important to take Omega-3 not only during the development of the inflammatory process, but also for the prevention of joint diseases.
Learn More: Interesting Experiments and Research on the Amazing Benefits of Omega 3
Aconite roots for rheumatism
The most radical folk treatment for rheumatism is homeopathy using poisonous aconite, which is considered the most effective remedy. Natural poison, penetrating into the body, causes an immune response, with which you can defeat any disease, including cancer and rheumatism. If in the first case, the poisonous tincture is taken orally according to a special scheme, then in the second it is used for rubbing into the joints affected by rheumatism.
Attention! aconite is a poisonous plant and non-compliance with the dosage can lead to serious consequences!
Tincture for external use.. Take 50 grams of grated Dzungarian aconite root, pour half a liter of good vodka, seal the jar tightly (ideally from a dark glass) and leave for 2 weeks in a dark, cool place, shaking from time to time. It is very important to avoid the penetration of light and air, since the poisonous alkaloids of aconite are volatile and subject to oxidation. Strain the finished tincture and store in the refrigerator in the same tightly sealed container.
At night, rub it into the sore joints one by one, that is, not all at once, but first into the right knee, then into the left; to the right elbow, then to the left, and so on. Aconite tincture very strongly stimulates blood circulation and slightly speeds up the heartbeat - you will feel this effect immediately. After rubbing the sore joint, wrap it in flannel or tie it with a scarf, in the morning, after removing the bandage, first wait 2 hours, and only then wash or wipe the limb with cool water.
Decoction for external use. To prepare the broth, you need to take 10 g of the root and pour half a liter of water. The resulting mixture is placed in an enamel pan on the fire and cooked for 2 hours. After cooling, it is filtered. With this broth, you can wipe sore joints up to 3 times a day. The remedy increases blood circulation so much that you can immediately feel an extraordinary heartbeat.
Aconite tincture for internal use. To prepare an alcoholic tincture, you will need to take 2.5-3 g of dry root in a crushed form and pour 100 g of vodka into it. The container should be made of dark glass. After it is placed in a warm place for 2 weeks and insisted. Strain before use.
The reception scheme is as follows:
- You need to start taking with 1 drop. You can not use the drug on an empty stomach, it is important to time this moment with every three main meals.
- All subsequent days + 1 drop every day for all three doses.
- On the 11th day - you must take 10 drops 3 times a day.
- Starting from day 12, the number of drops is reduced by one every day.
The tincture should be taken in courses, the number of which should be three. The break between courses is 5 days.
It is important to remember that the plant is poisonous, so taking precautions will not be superfluous. The treated areas should be wiped clean, hands should be thoroughly washed. When symptoms of poisoning appear, it is necessary to rinse the intestines and stomach, as well as seek medical help and refuse to take the drug.
Among the warning signs of poisoning are:
- Tingling sensations in different parts of the body
- Pain in the stomach, esophagus, mouth
- Dilated pupils
- Dizziness
Pine needles
With protracted chronic and often recurrent rheumatism, coniferous tincture can be a real salvation. It is made from fresh May pine needles and medical alcohol. Fill a full liter jar of pine needles, fill with alcohol to the top, seal with a tight lid and insist in a dark and warm place for three weeks, shaking occasionally. Strain the ready-made folk remedy for rheumatism and take it 8 drops per sugar cube half an hour before meals three times a day for 4-6 months.
Treatment of rheumatism with folk remedies
There are 2 more interesting folk recipes that help with rheumatism:
- Birch leaves. Gather more fresh birch leaves, stuff them into linen pajamas pants, put them on and go to bed in this form under a warm blanket. To achieve a good healing effect, you need to sweat a lot. Dried leaves will work for this recipe, but the effect will be better with fresh foliage. Sleeping in "birch pants" until morning is not at all necessary - it is enough to lie down for 3 hours. In summer, in the country, you can use another, even more effective way of treating rheumatism with birch leaves - a bath. Throw a mountain of foliage into an old cast-iron bathtub or large wooden tub, put it in the sun, wait a couple of hours until the leaves become hot, undress and bury yourself in there waist-deep for an hour.
- Salt. Simple table salt is excellent for relieving joint pain in rheumatism. Dissolve a tablespoon of salt (sea or iodized - even better) in a glass of moderately warm water, soak a clean cloth or gauze in a saline solution, apply to a sore spot, wrap with cellophane and a warm scarf and leave for a couple of hours. There is also an anhydrous way of treating rheumatism with salt - with the help of linen bags, into which salt heated in a frying pan is poured. However, remember that warming of diseased joints with anything is allowed only in the remission stage of rheumatism, when there is no active inflammatory process.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
