Antirheumatic
Antirheumatic
Antirheumatic (pronunciation: an-ti-rheu-mat-ic) refers to any medication or treatment designed to alleviate or prevent the symptoms of rheumatic diseases, a group of disorders affecting the joints and connective tissue.
Etymology
The term "antirheumatic" is derived from the Greek words "anti" meaning against, and "rheumatikos" meaning pertaining to rheum, which refers to the watery discharge from the eyes or nose. In the context of medicine, it refers to conditions causing inflammation, degeneration, or metabolic derangement of connective tissue.
Types of Antirheumatic Drugs
There are several types of antirheumatic drugs, including:
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): These are often the first line of treatment for rheumatic diseases. They work by reducing inflammation and pain.
- Corticosteroids: These are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that can be used to control severe symptoms of rheumatic diseases.
- Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs): These drugs work by slowing or stopping the immune system from attacking the joints.
- Biologic Response Modifiers: These are a type of DMARD that target specific parts of the immune system to reduce inflammation and prevent joint and tissue damage.
Related Terms
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: A chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.
- Osteoarthritis: A type of arthritis that occurs when flexible tissue at the ends of bones wears down.
- Gout: A common and complex form of arthritis that can affect anyone, characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in the joints.
- Lupus: An inflammatory disease caused when the immune system attacks its own tissues.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antirheumatic
- Wikipedia's article - Antirheumatic
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