To learn more about Rheumatology and the services provided at Summit Medical Group (Rheumatology Associates of East Tennessee), visit www.summitmedical.com/services/rheumatology.
Often grouped under the term "arthritis," rheumatic diseases
are autoimmune or inflammatory diseases that cause your immune system to attack
your joints, muscles, bones, and organs. In September 2016, the
American College of Rheumatology launched Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month
(RDAM) to raise awareness about the different conditions that fall under the umbrella of
rheumatic disease. In conjunction with RDAM, this blog seeks to help increase
understanding of these diseases: their symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and
treatment options.
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, there are more than 100 rheumatic
diseases. Among the most common rheumatic diseases are:
- Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) - AS is a common type of spondyloarthritis, a type of arthritis that attacks the spine and, in some people, the joints of the arms and legs, according to the American College of Rheumatology.
- Gout - Gout is a form of arthritis characterized by the accumulation of urate crystals in a joint — often the large joint of your big toe — causing swelling and pain, according to the Mayo Clinic.
- Infectious Arthritis - A sudden and painful form of arthritis brought on by a viral or bacterial infection, infectious arthritis can sometimes lead to permanent joint damage.
- Lupus - Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs, causing damage to joints and organs, per the Mayo Clinic.
- Osteoarthritis (OA) - The most common form of arthritis, OA is an age-related disease that damages cartilage and bone, causing pain and, in some cases, disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) - An inflammatory type of arthritis affecting some people who have psoriasis, PsA primarily affects the skin and joints, notes the Arthritis Foundation.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - RA is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues, causing painful swelling, according to the CDC.
Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatic Diseases
Different types of rheumatic disease have different
symptoms. The following are some of the most common symptoms of arthritis
and rheumatic diseases:
- Joint pain
- Swelling of a joint or joints
- Joint stiffness that lasts for at least one hour in the early morning
- Chronic pain or tenderness in a joint or joints
- Warmth or redness in a joint area
- Limited movement in an affected joint or joints
- Fatigue
In addition, some rheumatic diseases are characterized by
specific symptoms. For example, the majority of people with
lupus will experience some form of skin rash along with joint pain with
inflammation and fatigue.
Causes and Risk Factors of Rheumatic Diseases
Experts don't know what causes most types of rheumatic disease. However, per Johns Hopkins Medicine, researchers believe that some or all of the following may play a role, depending on the type of rheumatic disease:
- Genes and family history
- Environmental triggers
- Lifestyle choices
- Infection
- Trauma
- Metabolic problems
- Wear and tear or stress on a joint or joints
Genetics are thought to play a significant role in the development of
ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
How Are Rheumatic Diseases Diagnosed?
In general, no single test can diagnose a rheumatic disease.
Your doctor will want to discuss your symptoms and examine you to check for
visible signs of swelling, stiffness, or redness in your joints. If your doctor
suspects that you have some kind of rheumatic disease, they will order one or
more lab tests to help rule out other potential causes of your symptoms.
Blood tests can help detect markers of inflammation,
antibodies associated with certain diseases, and abnormal organ function, among
other things. Imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, or
ultrasounds of your joints and bones can help detect inflammation and fluid
buildup and reveal bone or joint changes.
Some rheumatic diseases, such as lupus, are difficult to diagnose, in part because their symptoms overlap with other conditions.
Treatment and Medication Options for Rheumatic Diseases
Various types of medication are prescribed to treat rheumatic diseases, along with drugs used to treat the
symptoms, including pain and inflammation.
Medications used to treat rheumatic diseases include:
- Corticosteroids
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which can slow the progression of rheumatic diseases by affecting the body's immune reactions and inflammatory processes
Medications that help with pain and discomfort include:
- Oral analgesics, such as acetaminophen, and prescription narcotics (opioids) like oxycodone and hydrocodone
- Topical analgesics
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen and naproxen sodium (Aleve), and prescription-grade drugs called COX-2 inhibitors
In addition to medications, other treatments may be
prescribed for rheumatic diseases, including:
- Specific exercises
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Hot and cold therapy
- Splints, braces, and assistive devices
- Surgery
- Some rheumatic conditions are best treated with a combination of approaches.
- Some rheumatic diseases are treated with specific medications or treatments.
- Gout is treated with allopurinol, a uric acid-lowering medicine, as well as corticosteroids such as prednisone.
- Lupus is typically managed with NSAIDs, antimalarial drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants such as azathioprine, and biologics such as belimumab.
Prognosis, duration, and treatment of rheumatic diseases vary greatly, depending on the specific condition. If you experience one or more of the symptoms associated with these conditions, or have a genetic history of rheumatic disease in your family, consult with your doctor about getting tested. While rheumatic diseases are serious health concerns, it doesn't mean you can't learn to live with them. Schedule an appointment to speak to your provider about your symptoms today.
If you do not have a primary care provider, please visit www.summitmedical.com/locations to find one near you. To learn more about Rheumatology and the services provided at Summit Medical Group, visit www.summitmedical.com/services/rheumatology.