Rheumatic diseases are conditions that affect joints, muscles, tendons, and bones. These are very common, but unfortunately very painful conditions. They can certainly be treated to mitigate the pain, but most do not have permanent cures. Symptoms typically include inflammation or swelling, pain, or loss of motion at a joint. Here are three of the most common types of rheumatic diseases in modern medicine.
Arthritis
Arthritis is technically any condition that affects the joints. When we narrow discussion of arthritis to rheumatic diseases Catonsville, there are two major types. The first is osteoarthritis, which is a joint disorder which is caused by cartilage damage. It is unique among rheumatic diseases in that it does not include immune system issues. Rheumatoid arthritis, however, is caused when the immune system attacks tissues. Beyond muscular pain, rheumatoid arthritis can affect organs like the lungs and eyes.
Lupus
Lupus is a particularly nasty rheumatic disease, in that it can cause damage in many areas, almost all creating extreme pain or fatigue. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that, in addition to affecting the musculature like other rheumatic conditions, can cause everything from blood and circulatory issues to hair loss and chest pain. While treatable, most patients must endure flare-ups of varying degrees throughout their lives.
Gout
A far less serious, but still very painful rheumatic disease is gout. With gout, a buildup of uric acid on a joint causes inflammation and extreme pain. This usually comes on quickly and is present in the toes, ankles, foot, or sometimes, wrist. Medication can reduce the acid, swelling, and pain over time, but it can be a lengthy and painful process.
As you can see, rheumatic diseases can be very serious and affect a person’s quality of life. If you are experiencing prolonged swelling, sharp pain, or any of the other symptoms we’ve mentioned, consult your physician for an examination so you can begin treatment quickly if needed.
