Rheumatism - is an inflammatory disease that is characterized by lesions of connective tissue, mainly in the heart and joints. Rheumatic fever is a disease that develops after a previous infection caused by certain pathogens (mainly beta-hemolytic streptococcus group A).

How is rheumatic fever and its forms

Rheumatic fever develops only when the body has some kind of immune system disorders. In this case, in response to the introduction of the pathogen the immune system produces antibodies that should neutralize the "enemy." But immunity changes lead to antibodies that "do not know their" and deposited on the connective tissues of the patient's body (mainly in the heart and joints), causing damage. This is explained by the presence of certain strains of beta-hemolytic streptococcal antigenic substances from the heart tissue.

Rheumatic fever can occur acute, subacute, in a protracted process, continuous process and recurrent symptoms. It can manifest mainly as lesions of the heart, joints, and nervous system.

Polyarthritis is a major occurrences rheumatism. At the heart of rheumatic fever is an acute and subacute synovitis - inflammation of the synovial membrane lining the inside of the joint cavity.

How is

Rheumatoid arthritis begins two to three weeks after infection. In this patient the temperature rises sharply, there are chills, alternating with heavy sweats on the background of a sudden drop in temperature. Then there are volatile pain in large joints, the joints of the individual appear redness and swelling Prevention and treatment of edema - it is important to understand the root cause   soft tissue. Swelling leads to deformation of joints, because of the pain limited their mobility. Severe pain and swelling appear at once or sequentially in two - three middle or large joints (especially frequently affected knee, elbow, shoulder joints), whereby the patient becomes completely immobile. At the same time he develops insomnia and nervous disorders.

Changed joints swell significantly, in large joints appears serous content. Soft tissue surrounding the joints, swollen, the skin over the joints tight, hot, touching the painful joint, there is symmetry of joint damage. However, all these inflammatory phenomena is extremely unstable, they may "jump" from one joint to another in rapid and complete elimination of all disease phenomena for several days.

Some patients may remain small for a long time pain in the joints, aggravated by weather changes, colds, under the influence of acute respiratory diseases. Arthritis lasts for about a month (sometimes less), and then disappears without a trace.

To join rheumatic fever heart disease, nervous system, skin, and so on. Rheumatoid arthritis What is arthritis - when it hurts everywhere   accompanied by significant changes in laboratory parameters, indicators of inflammatory activity and usually corresponds to the maximum degree of activity of rheumatism.

Chronic arthritis postrevmatichesky

In some cases (especially if struck by the small joints of the feet and hands), there is enough proof deformation of joints - a disease called chronic arthritis postrevmaticheskim. Its features include rheumatoid kind of bending of the hands combined with flexion contractures (resistant mixing joint) metacarpophalangeal joints. Pain syndrome while absent or weakly expressed.

Treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis should be treated comprehensively as any disease rheumatic nature. The patient is assigned to a strict bed rest, comfortable position patients limbs, hygiene (a marked sweating patient), easily digestible food with salt restriction. Treatment of rheumatic fever usually begin in the hospital, after the patient can improve dolechivatsya outpatients. The treatment takes four to six weeks.

Always being treated all possible foci of infection, for this purpose are usually used antibiotics Antibiotics - whether they will help you in the foreseeable future?   penicillin. Pain and inflammation is removed using NSAIDs if the pain is very strong, then using glyukokortikodnyh hormones.

When does an exacerbation, patients with rheumatism Rheumatic fever - are possible complications of heart   observed rheumatologist, spring and fall get anti-treatment.

Prevention of rheumatic fever is timely treatment of foci of infection.

Galina Romanenko

Osteogenesis imperfecta - a congenital disease, usually caused by a defective gene that is responsible for the production of collagen type 1, the necessary building material of bone tissue. Forms of osteogenesis imperfecta severity depends on the specific gene defect. Osteogenesis imperfecta - is an autosomal dominant disorder, that is, if a person has only one copy of the gene, he will develop the disease. In most cases, osteogenesis imperfecta is derived from some of the parents, but in some cases it is the result of genetic mutations. A person with imperfect genesis there is a fifty percent probability that the disease does not pass the gene to their children.

Symptoms

People with osteogenesis imperfecta bone is weakened, making them particularly susceptible to fractures. Typically, such patients following growth medium. The classic symptoms of the disease:

• A bluish tint whites of the eyes;
• Multiple fractures;
• Early hearing loss.

Because collagen type 1 is also present in bundles, in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta is often observed hypermobility of joints, flat feet Flatfoot - help physiotherapy   previously, rapid tooth decay.

Symptoms of more severe forms of osteogenesis imperfecta are:

• Curvature of the arms and legs;
• Kyphosis;
• Scoliosis.

Diagnostics

Frequent fractures in children may be the first reason for the suspicion of osteogenesis imperfecta. For an accurate diagnosis requires a biopsy of the skin. Sometimes, parents are invited to do a DNA test.

In the presence of osteogenesis imperfecta family history test for the disease, a child may be taken during pregnancy. Severe forms of osteogenesis imperfecta type 2 can be detected by ultrasound is already 16 weeks pregnant.

Treatment

From this disease has no cure, but some types of therapy can reduce the pain and complications of osteogenesis imperfecta.

Bisphosphonates are very effective in treating the symptoms of osteogenesis imperfecta, especially in children. They increase bone density, reduce pain and reduce the incidence of fractures (particularly the spine).

Moderate physical activity, such as swimming, helps to strengthen muscles and maintain bone density is more or less stable.

In more severe cases, it may be recommended for surgery, during which in the long bones prevent metal rods - thanks to them the bones become stronger and people will be less likely to fracture.

To correct deformities may require reconstructive surgery (in some cases - not one). This is important because the strain has a significant impact on a person's ability to move, and can cause a variety of psychological problems.

Regardless of the treatment, a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta occasionally fractures will occur. During treatment, the time that a person wears plaster should be minimized, since the loss of bone mass can be accelerated if a person for a long time does not use any part of his body.

Forecast

The prognosis depends on the type of osteogenesis imperfecta, which was diagnosed in the patient.

• Osteogenesis imperfecta type I - the most mild and common form of the disease. The patient can live a normal life - both the duration and quality.
• Osteogenesis imperfecta type II - a severe form of the disease, which usually results in death within the first year of life.
• Osteogenesis imperfecta type III leads to numerous fractures and bone deformities. Many patients with this diagnosis forced to move around in a wheelchair; their life expectancy can be less than the average.
• Osteogenesis imperfecta type IV. As a rule, patients for the normal movement needs a bandage and support - stick or crutches. Life expectancy is normal or near normal.

The remaining four types of osteogenesis imperfecta are similar to the fourth, though they have their own specific characteristics.

Complications

The most common complications of osteogenesis imperfecta are:

• Hearing loss (especially with types I and III disease);
• Heart failure (typical for type II);
• Pneumonia and respiratory problems because of deformation of the chest wall;
• Problems of the spinal cord and brain stem;
• Permanent deformation of limbs.