Rheumatic fever
From Wiki4CAM
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease due to Streptococcus bacteria that can affect the heart, joints, skin, and brain. The condition is the most common cause for valvular heart disease worldwide. It mainly affects children. Strep throat or scarlet fever are the preoccuring conditions, after which rheumatic fever follows.
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Causes
The manifestation is due to some immune reaction to the streptococcus bacteria. If the early diagnosis of strep throat is made it can be prevented. Though the exact cause of rheumatic fever isn't clear, some researches have focused on an abnormal immune system response to the antigens produced by specific types of streptococcal bacteria and the genetic disposition for for the condition.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary from time to time and the affection. Usual primary symptoms include fever, joint pain, joint swelling, abdominal pain, skin rash, skin eruption on the trunk and upper part of the arms or legs, skin nodules, sydenham's chorea (emotional instability, muscle weakness and quick, uncoordinated jerky movements that mainly affect the face, feet, and hands), nosebleeds and heart problems.
Examinations and tests
A thorough medical history and physical examination would help for the diagnosis of rheumatic fever. It usually include joint examinatio for pain and inflammation, skin examination for rashes or lumps, cardiovascular system examination for abnormal rhythms or murmurs and neurological examination for abnormal movements. In addition to the physical examination electrocardiogram (ECG) would be helpful to check for abnormal rhythms.
There is no blood or other laboratory investigation available to confirm the condition. Jones criteria is considered as standard diagnostic tool for rheumatic fever. It includes major and minor criteriae.
- Major criteria
- Carditis
- Polyarthritis
- Chorea
- Subcutaneous nodules
- Rash
- Minor criteria
- Fever
- Arthralgia
- Previous rheumatic carditis
- Changes in the electrocardiogram
- Abnormal sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein (laboratory tests performed on blood)
When two of the major criteria, or one major criterion plus two minor criteria, are present along with evidence of a streptococcal infection, it is considered as rheumatic fever.
Complications
Heart disease, restricted physical activity, painful joints, loss of coordination and uncontrolled movement of the limbs, subcutaneous nodules and erythema marginatum are some of the major complications depending upon the severity.
CAM therapies for rheumatic fever
Acupuncture
Many symptoms of rheumatic fever can be managed with the help of acupuncture. The points used to manage the joint pains are ST-34, SP-10, LE-5, ST-35, SP-9, ST-36, BL-17, BL-18, BL-20, BL-23, LI-4, and CV-4, depending on each patient's diagnosis.
Ayurveda
Ginger can be used to alleviate the pain due to joint involvement, since it has significant role in that area. Essentials oils, like Juniper, Pin, Cypress and Rosemary oils, can be used for local application to cleanse the tissue and drain out toxities. Lavender oil is also can be used to relax and ease the muscles. Marjoram is used by many ayurvedic physicians which can improve the blood supply to muscles and help as detoxifier. These oils can be massaged well by an experienced.
Homeopathy
Homeopathic medicines commonly used for Rheumatic fever are Aconite, Apis, Ars alb, Baptisia, Belladonna, Bryonia, Cactus, Calc Carb, Chamomilla, Chinchona, Cimicifuga, Gelsemium, Ferrrum Phos, Kali mur, Lachesis, Merc sol, Pulsatilla, Pyrogen, Rhus tox, etc.
Naturopathy
Yoga
References
