RHEUMATIC CHOREAS Meaning and
Definition
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Rheumatic choreas, also known as Sydenham's chorea or St. Vitus' dance, is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary muscle movements or jerking (chorea), typically affecting the face, limbs, and trunk. The term "rheumatic" refers to its association with rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can occur following a streptococcal infection, particularly in children.
Rheumatic choreas usually develop weeks to months after an episode of rheumatic fever, which is caused by an immune response to certain strains of Streptococcus bacteria. The exact mechanism by which the bacteria triggers the chorea is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to an autoimmune response, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy brain cells.
The symptoms of rheumatic choreas typically include a sudden onset of purposeless, involuntary movements that are unpredictable in nature. These movements may involve rapid jerking, writhing, or twisting of the affected muscles. The severity and frequency of the movements can vary between individuals, with some experiencing only mild symptoms, while others may have more severe and disabling chorea.
Treatment for rheumatic choreas often involves managing the underlying cause, such as treating the streptococcal infection with antibiotics and addressing any associated inflammation. Medications that help control the chorea symptoms, such as antiepileptic drugs or dopamine receptor blockers, may also be prescribed. Additionally, physical therapy and supportive care may be recommended to improve motor control and reduce functional limitations caused by the choreic movements.
Although rheumatic choreas can be distressing and disruptive, they are typically temporary and resolve within a few months to a few years. With appropriate treatment and management, most individuals with rheumatic choreas can achieve significant improvement in
Common Misspellings for RHEUMATIC CHOREAS
- eheumatic choreas
- dheumatic choreas
- fheumatic choreas
- theumatic choreas
- 5heumatic choreas
- 4heumatic choreas
- rgeumatic choreas
- rbeumatic choreas
- rneumatic choreas
- rjeumatic choreas
- rueumatic choreas
- ryeumatic choreas
- rhwumatic choreas
- rhsumatic choreas
- rhdumatic choreas
- rhrumatic choreas
- rh4umatic choreas
- rh3umatic choreas
- rheymatic choreas
- rhehmatic choreas
Etymology of RHEUMATIC CHOREAS
The word "Rheumatic Choreas" has its roots in Greek and Latin.
The term "rheumatic" comes from the Greek word "rheumatismos", which means "a flowing" or "a stream". In early Greek medicine, it referred to various ailments characterized by excessive fluids or secretions in the body. Over time, the term became associated specifically with joint and muscle inflammation.
The word "choreas" is derived from the Greek word "khoreia", which means "a dance". It refers to a movement disorder characterized by irregular and involuntary muscle contractions or spasms. In ancient Greece, it was believed that this condition was caused by supernatural forces, leading to the association with dance.
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