rheumatism

(noun)

Any disorder of the muscles, tendons, joints, bones, nerves, characterized by pain, discomfort, and disability.

Related Terms

Examples of rheumatism in the following topics:

  • Heart Valve Disorders

    • Valvular heart disease resulting from rheumatic fever is referred to as rheumatic heart disease .
    • While developed countries once had a significant burden of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, medical advances and improved social conditions have dramatically reduced their incidence.
    • Many developing countries, as well as indigenous populations within developed countries, still carry a significant burden of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease and there has been a resurgence in efforts to eradicate the diseases in these populations.
    • The center of the image shows an aortic valve with severe stenosis due to rheumatic heart disease.

  • Rheumatism and Arthritis

    • Rheumatism or rheumatic disorder is a non-specific term for medical problems affecting the joints and connective tissue.
    • The term "rheumatism" is still used in colloquial speech and historical contexts, but is no longer frequently used in medical or technical literature; there is no longer any recognized disorder simply called "rheumatism."
    • Some countries use the word rheumatism to describe fibromyalgia syndrome.
    • The term "Rheumatic Diseases" is used to refer to connective tissue disorders.

  • Fibromyalgia

    • In most cases, patients with fibromyalgia symptoms may also have laboratory test results that appear normal and many of their symptoms may mimic those of other rheumatic conditions such as arthritis or osteoporosis.

  • Sjögren's Syndrome

    • It is estimated to affect as many as 4 million people in the United States alone, making it the second most common autoimmune rheumatic disease.
    • Sjögren's syndrome can exist as a disorder in its own right, as primary Sjögren's syndrome, or may develop years after the onset of another autoimmune rheumatic disorder, as secondary Sjögren's syndrome.

  • Myocarditis and Endocarditis

    • If they have been damaged (from rheumatic fever, for example) the risk of bacteria attachment is increased.