Rheumatic diseases encompass a diverse range of conditions that affect the joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles. Contrary to common perception, they are more than mere aches and pains and can impact people of all ages. These conditions are characterized by symptoms like inflammation, swelling, redness, and warmth in affected areas.
Rheumatology is the medical field dedicated to the study of these conditions. Often, general physicians refer patients to rheumatologists when rheumatic diseases are suspected. The term “rheumatic disease” serves as an umbrella term for various conditions, including arthritis and several others affecting musculoskeletal and connective tissues.
One of the most common rheumatic diseases is rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just the joints. This autoimmune disorder arises when the immune system erroneously targets the body’s tissues, potentially damaging a wide range of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels.
Rheumatism or rheumatic disorders are conditions causing chronic, often intermittent pain in the joints or connective tissue. Arthritis, a type of rheumatic disease, refers to a group of over 100 different diseases causing pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints and other body structures like muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) exemplifies an autoimmune and inflammatory disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s tissues, leading to painful swelling. Inflammatory rheumatism, a term used for a subset of rheumatic disorders, includes various forms of arthritis that lead to painful, swollen joints and can also affect bones, cartilage, and ligaments.
For further information on rheumatic diseases, their types, symptoms, causes, and treatments, visit the following resources:
Healthline
WebMD
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mayo Clinic
Wikipedia
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Everyday Health
WebMD
