rheumatism etymology

Etymology:

  • Latin: rheumatismus
  • Greek: rheumatismos, from rheein ("to flow")

Meaning:

  • A chronic inflammatory condition affecting the joints, muscles, nerves, and other tissues.

Origin:

The word "rheumatism" has been used since ancient times to describe a variety of musculoskeletal disorders characterized by pain, swelling, and stiffness. The name reflects the belief that these conditions were caused by an imbalance of bodily fluids, or "humors," which were thought to "flow" through the body.

In the 17th century, the physician Thomas Sydenham proposed a分類 system for rheumatic diseases, dividing them into two main categories: acute and chronic. Acute rheumatism was characterized by sudden onset of pain, fever, and inflammation, while chronic rheumatism was a more persistent condition that could affect the joints, muscles, and internal organs.

During the 19th century, researchers began to understand that rheumatism was not caused by an imbalance of humors but rather by an inflammatory response. This led to the development of new treatments, such as aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Today, the term "rheumatism" is still used to describe a wide range of conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system. However, most rheumatologists now prefer to use more specific terms to describe specific conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia.

rheumatism relate terms

  • rheum

    Etymology Early Modern English rheme 1600s Late Middle English reme 15th century

  • amenorrhea

    Etymology Derived from Ancient Greek a α meaning without μην men mea

  • catarrh

    Etymology From Ancient Greek katarrhous meaning flow down From kata down rhe

  • diarrhea

    Etymology The word diarrhea comes from the Greek words dia meaning through and

  • hemorrhoids

    Etymology Hemorrhoid is derived from the Ancient Greek words haímai αἱμα mea

  • maelstrom

    Etymology The word maelstrom derives from the Dutch malstroom which literally means

  • rheo

    Etymology The word rheo is derived from the Greek word ῥέω rheō meaning to

  • rheology

    Etymology The term rheology is derived from the Greek words rheo ῥέω meaning

  • rheostat

    Etymology Origin Greek Meaning of Individual Components Rheo Flow stat Causing to

  • rheum

    Etymology Early Modern English rheme 1600s Late Middle English reme 15th century

  • rheumatic

    Etymology Greek rheuma flowing discharge Latin rheumaticus Meaning and Origi

  • rheumatism

    Etymology Latin rheumatismus Greek rheumatismos from rheein to flow Meaning

  • rheumatoid

    Etymology Rheumatoid derives from the Greek word rheuma meaning flux or flow The

  • rhinorrhea

    Etymology Greek rhinos nose rhoia flow Meaning and Origin Rhinorrhea is a

  • rhythm

    Etymology Old French rithme Latin rhythmus Greek ῥυθμός rhythmos Meaning

  • seborrhea

    Etymology Derived from the Greek words sebon oil fat and rhein to flow Mean

  • stream

    Etymology The word stream comes from the Middle English word strem which in turn der

  • rheumatic

    Etymology Greek rheuma flowing discharge Latin rheumaticus Meaning and Origi

  • gout

    Etymology Origin Old French goute Origin of Old French goute Vulgar Latin gutta Origi

  • tractor

    Etymology The word tractor is derived from the Latin word trahere which means to d

  • disease

    Etymology Middle English disease from Old French desese from Latin dis aese not

  • seaside

    Etymology The word seaside is a combination of two Old English words sǣ pronounced

  • forlorn

    Etymology From Middle English forlorn from Old English forloren past participle of fo

  • exacerbation

    Etymology Latin exacerbāre irritate stimulate from ex out acerbāre make b

  • pregnant

    Etymology The word pregnant originates from the Latin word praegnans which means b