Chronic inflammatory joint disease is characterized by severe pain and restricted mobility and often affects the joints of the fingers, hands and ankles, which are essential for performing many everyday tasks.
But rheumatoid arthritis doesn’t just lead to physical limitations: young people with rheumatism, in particular, have to fight against prejudice and a lack of understanding from outsiders. “Many people have trouble responding to rheumatism because they can’t see the pain and inflammation,” say young people with rheumatism.
Canoe trip in the morning – painkillers in the evening?
Accepting the disease and dealing with it with confidence is not always easy for those affected. Young people suffering from rheumatism, in particular, sometimes go to great lengths to avoid being ostracized by their peers: “I know rheumatists who hide their disease – they even go on backpacking holidays or canoe trips and secretly take painkillers in the evening just to be there,” said one young rheumatism patient. The unpredictability of the disease, in particular, often means that outsiders have little understanding. For a large proportion of patients, rheumatoid arthritis progresses in episodes in which almost symptom-free periods alternate with phases of severe symptoms. “It is difficult to maintain credibility if, for example, you can open a bottle of mineral water today but not tomorrow.” plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts plts
Arthritis – no reason to despair
Rheumatoid arthritis is still incurable today; however, people affected by the disease are not helpless. There are medications available that not only combat pain but can also slow or even stop the progression of joint destruction. Physical therapies, such as warm water exercises or massages, help improve mobility and also contribute to pain relief. There are also numerous aids that make daily activities easier while protecting the joints.
More than a million people in Germany suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, the most severe form of rheumatism. As is often assumed, this is not an age-related disease, but rather an autoimmune disease that can affect children and adolescents as well as adults.
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