What Causes Rheumatism?

Rheumatic diseases arise from the combined effects of multiple factors—including genetic susceptibility, environmental triggers, infections, hormonal changes, and immune dysregulation. A single factor rarely causes rheumatic disease directly; rather, the accumulation of several risk factors increases disease susceptibility. Prompt medical consultation is advised upon experiencing joint swelling, pain, or discomfort.

1. Genetic Susceptibility: Genetic predisposition forms a critical foundation for disease development. Individuals with first- or second-degree relatives affected by rheumatic disorders face an elevated personal risk. While genetics alone do not cause disease, they confer a susceptible constitution—abnormal immune responses are triggered only when external factors activate this underlying vulnerability, leading to rheumatic conditions.

2. Environmental Triggers: Prolonged exposure to damp, cold environments—or repeated chilling—increases the likelihood of developing rheumatic disease. Cold-damp conditions impair local blood circulation and exacerbate synovial membrane irritation. In genetically susceptible individuals, chronic exposure to cold winds and humidity serves as a major external trigger. Such exposures should therefore be minimized in daily life.

3. Infectious Factors: Certain bacterial or viral infections can act as initiating triggers, provoking aberrant immune responses. Following infections such as streptococcal infection or certain viral illnesses, the body may produce autoantibodies that mistakenly attack its own joints and connective tissues—resulting in diverse rheumatic symptoms. Pharyngeal and respiratory tract infections are among the most common precipitating events.

4. Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormone levels influence immune function. Alterations in estrogen and progesterone are closely associated with numerous rheumatic diseases. Women experience pronounced hormonal shifts during menstruation and pregnancy, correlating with higher disease risk. Hormonal imbalance disrupts immune homeostasis, perpetuating inflammatory processes and causing recurrent joint discomfort.

5. Immune Dysregulation: Dysfunctional autoimmunity constitutes the central pathogenic mechanism of rheumatic diseases: the immune system erroneously targets healthy self-tissues. Persistent autoimmune attacks on joints, synovium, and internal organs cause inflammatory damage—manifesting as pain, swelling, and potentially systemic organ involvement. This chronic immune dysregulation underlies both disease recurrence and therapeutic resistance.

In daily life, maintain well-ventilated, dry living spaces; ensure adequate warmth; adhere to regular sleep-wake cycles to bolster immunity; minimize infectious exposures; and practice stress management and emotional regulation—thereby reducing the risk of immune dysfunction and decreasing the frequency of rheumatic disease flares.