Rheumatology diseases are inflammatory condition that will affect the connecting parts or the supporting structure of the body. Even though these diseases are commonly found in the joints of the body, it can affect the tendons, ligaments, and muscles also. The rheumatic diseases are also known as musculoskeletal diseases and arthritis, gout, lupus, etc. are some diseases that come under this category. Joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation are the common symptoms of a rheumatic disease.
What Causes a Rheumatic Disease?
This condition is commonly found in people, when their immune system malfunctions. Even though the reason for such a change in the course of the immune system is still unknown, it is the major reason for rheumatic disease in people. It is believed that, the defect in the immune system happens due to genetic disorders. This condition can also occur due to external factors like cigarette smoking or pollution, which can lead to infection in a person’s body. It is found that rheumatic diseases are affecting women more than men. Some of the common rheumatic diseases that are found among people are shared below.
Osteoarthritis
It is a disease that is caused due to damage in the cartilage and not due to a malfunction in the immune system. It is triggered when the cartilage gets deteriorated from the joints of a person. It will result in intense pain and stiffness in the affected area. Since it is an inflammatory condition, it will cause warmth and swelling on the damaged part.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This condition is found mostly in old age people and is caused when the immune system of a person gets damaged. It is a type of rheumatic disease that affects the tissues of a person and can lead to stiffness and also severe pain in the affected parts. This condition will not only affect the joints but also other organs like eyes and lungs.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
It is a type of rheumatic disease that is found commonly in young people between the age of 18 to 30. Even though it only exhibits lower back pain in the early stages, it will gradually spread to the joints where the vertebral column attaches to the pelvis. Back pain and stiffness are common symptoms of this condition.
Similarly, there are a lot of diseases under this category. There is also a separate branch in medicine that is dedicated to diagnose and treat this condition and is called rheumatology.
