Rheumatic diseases commonly affect the musculoskeletal system but can affect the entire body. People of all ages may have rheumatic diseases. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common of over 200 rheumatic conditions.Other examples include ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia, gout, and more.
Many rheumatic diseases involve immune system dysfunction and systemic (whole-body) inflammation.They can cause inflammation that attacks joints, muscles, bones, tendons, and organs. Many are arthritis conditions that mainly affect the joints.
1. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis(OA) is adegenerative joint diseasewhere joint tissues break down over time.It is the most common type of arthritis and primarily affects older adults.
OA causes joint pain and stiffness, especially after periods of inactivity. The most commonly affected joints are the hands, knees, hips, neck, and lower back. It is generally a mild condition, but it can also cause significant pain and disability. Joint and cartilage damage typically develops over many years. However, OA can develop quickly for some people.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease mainly affecting joints. It occurs when the immune system malfunctions and attacks its tissues. RA causes joint-damaging inflammation that leads to pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of joint function. It can be a very debilitating disease.
RA affects the small joints of the hands but can also affect the wrists, elbows, shoulders, feet, ankles, spine, knees, and jaw. Additional features of RA include:
Pictures of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Knees, Hands, and More
3. Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus(lupus) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation throughout the body.The immune system targets various organs and tissues, including the joints, heart, skin, kidneys, blood, lungs, eyes, and liver.
Lupus can be severe and even life-threatening. However, treatment can help reduce symptoms and complications, allowing people with the condition to live healthy and productive lives.
4. Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis(AS) is a type ofinflammatory arthritisthat targets the spine, lower back, and pelvis.It causes long-term stiffness and pain. In severe cases, it can make the spine rigid and inflexible. Bony growths (new bone) on the spine can cause further immobility problems.
A secondary characteristic of AS is inflammation of thesacroiliac (SI) joints, which connect the pelvis to the lower spine. It can also cause inflammation in the hips, shoulders, ribs, and eyes.
5. Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis(PsA) can affect people withpsoriasis, anautoimmune skin condition, but it can also occur without psoriasis. PsA causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. It can also cause:
6. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis(JIA) is arthritis in children. It is classified into seven subtypes:
Most cases of JIA are mild. However, severe cases can cause joint damage, growth problems, uneven limbs, eye inflammation, and long-term problems.
7. Fibromyalgia
Anyone can get fibromyalgia, but it is more common in people assigned female at birth.It tends to present with other rheumatic diseases,mood disorders, and chronic pain disorders.
8. Gout
Goutis a type of arthritis that causes pain and swelling in the joints. It presents asepisodesthat last a week or two and then disappear.Gout can affect any joint, but it often affects the big toe.
Episodes of gout can start suddenly at night with intense pain that wakes you up. Certain foods, alcohol, medications, local trauma, and illness can trigger gout episodes.
9. Other Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmunerheumatoid diseases are a group of district disorders that share clinical, laboratory, and immunological features.Along with lupus, AS, and RA, gout, additional examples include:
In the United States alone, about 54 million adults and 300,000 children have been diagnosed with arthritis-related rheumatic disease.
Causes and Risk Factors
Researchers don’t know what causes most types of rheumatic disease. However, many believe that some or all of the following factors may play a role in the development of these conditions:
Rheumatic Disease Treatment at a Glance
Various types of medicines are used to treat rheumatic diseases. These include:
Medications to help with pain and discomfort are often given, including:
Your healthcare provider may also prescribe additional treatments to help you manage disease effects, including:
Managing Flare-Ups
Many rheumatic diseases causeperiods of flare-upwhen disease symptoms are active. They also have periods ofremission, where symptoms quiet down or disappear for a short period.
Summary
Rheumatic diseases affect various body parts, including the bones, joints, muscles, organs, skin, and eyes. Some, like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, are autoimmune conditions in which the immune system mistakes healthy tissues as threats and attacks them. These attacks lead to pain, swelling, and tissue damage.
The exact causes of rheumatic diseases are unknown. Researchers suspect that they result from genetics and various environmental factors. Rheumatic diseases tend to run in families, but it is possible to have one without a family history. Rheumatic diseases are lifelong conditions without a cure. Even so, they are treatable and manageable.
18 Sources
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