rheumatism
Painful, stiff joints
Rheumatism is an old-fashioned, imprecise term for painful conditions affecting joints, muscles, and connective tissues.
It covers what modern medicine distinguishes as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other specific diagnoses.
The word persists in casual speech, especially among older speakers: My rheumatism is acting up in this weather.
Persistent dull discomfort
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
- stiffnessResistance to deformation
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
throbbing · twinge · gnawing · burning · cramp · spasm · agony · suffering
Abnormal tissue enlargement
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- stiffnessResistance to deformation
- rednessCrimson-hued state
- warmthHeat you feel
tenderness · fatigue · weakness · deformity · nodules · crepitus · flare-up · remission
Inflamed joint disease
- osteoarthritisCartilage breakdown in joints
- goutCrystal-induced joint inflammation
- lupusChronic autoimmune disorder
- fibromyalgiaChronic widespread musculoskeletal pain condition
bursitis · tendinitis · lumbago · sciatica · polymyalgia · degenerative · autoimmune · inflammatory
Acetylsalicylic acid tablet
- ibuprofenAnti-inflammatory pain reliever
- NSAIDsOver-the-counter pain class
- corticosteroidsInflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- DMARDsMedications altering autoimmune course
biologics · physiotherapy · massage · liniment · balm · salve · poultice · glucosamine
Resistance to deformation
- limpingUneven gait from injury
- caneStick for support
- walkerAmbulatory person or aid
- wheelchairSeated conveyance for mobility-impaired
handicap · disability · exercise · stretching · orthotics
Mild presence of water
- cold-weatherFor frigid conditions
- old-ageAdvanced years of life
- linimentMedicated rub for soreness
- mustard-plasterHeating poultice for aches
ache
Persistent dull discomfort
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
- stiffnessResistance to deformation
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
tenderness · throbbing · twinge · gnawing · burning · cramp · spasm · agony · suffering · flare-up
swelling
Abnormal tissue enlargement
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- stiffnessResistance to deformation
- rednessCrimson-hued state
warmth · tenderness · fatigue · weakness · deformity · nodules · crepitus · flare-up · remission
arthritis
Inflamed joint disease
- osteoarthritisCartilage breakdown in joints
- goutCrystal-induced joint inflammation
- lupusChronic autoimmune disorder
fibromyalgia · bursitis · tendinitis · lumbago · sciatica · polymyalgia · degenerative · autoimmune · inflammatory · musculoskeletal
aspirin
Acetylsalicylic acid tablet
- ibuprofenAnti-inflammatory pain reliever
- NSAIDsOver-the-counter pain class
- corticosteroidsInflammation-suppressing steroid medications
DMARDs · biologics · physiotherapy · massage · liniment · balm · salve · poultice · glucosamine · turmeric
stiffness
Resistance to deformation
wheelchair · handicap · disability · exercise · stretching · orthotics
dampness
Mild presence of water
- cold-weatherFor frigid conditions
- old-ageAdvanced years of life
- linimentMedicated rub for soreness
joint
Shared by multiple parties
- cartilageFlexible connective body tissue
- ligamentConnective tissue between bones
- tendonMuscle-to-bone connector
bursa · bone · muscle · knuckle · knee · hip · shoulder · spine · wrist · ankle
- Old Ailmentsconsumption, dropsy, ague, apoplexy, phthisis
- arthritisarthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, juvenile arthritis, knee arthritis
- ailmentsache, aches, ailment, cold, flu
- chronic conditionsdiabetes, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, hypertension
- Old Diseasesplague, smallpox, cholera, typhus, typhoid
- war ailmentstrench foot, trench fever, shell shock, combat fatigue, battle fatigue
rheumatismwellness
Overall state of health
vitality · fitness · suppleness · flexibility · joint health
rheumatismfracture
Split in hard material
broken bone · acute injury · sprain · trauma · dislocation
- rheumatic feverStreptococcal infection's systemic inflammatory sequel