Innovations in Rheumatology Diagnosis and Advanced Treatment Approaches
Rheumatic diseases are a wide range of health conditions that affect the locomotor system, joints and surrounding tissues,and these diseases are characterized by various symptoms such as :pain and swelling, which are usually caused by disorders of the immune system or inflammation.
Types of rheumatism
Rheumatism is a term that has historically been used to describe a group of medical conditions that affect joints, muscles, and bones.
However it is no longer commonly used as a medical diagnosis because it does not refer to a specific medical condition, instead there are different types of Rheumatic Diseases, which are a group of conditions that affect joints, muscles and bones.
Of the most common rheumatic diseases are the following:
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Scleroderma
- Sclerosing spondylitis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Gout
- Fibromyalgia
- Rheumatic muscle pain
- Reactive arthritis
It is important to note that each of these Rheumatic Diseases has a unique set of symptoms, causes and treatments.
It is therefore essential to seek medical attention if you experience joint pain, stiffness, or other related symptoms.
Causes of Rheumatism
The causes of rheumatism vary depending on its type of possible causes of rheumatism include:
Genetic cause: some types of arthritis may have a genetic component, which means it can be passed down through families.
Age: as people get older, the risk of developing certain types of arthritis increases.
Joint injury: a joint injury, such as a fracture or dislocation, can lead to arthritis later in life.
Infection: some types of arthritis, such as septic arthritis, can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection.
Autoimmune disorders: rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other autoimmune disorders occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, including joints.
Metabolic disorders: gout and other metabolic disorders can lead to the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints, which causes pain and inflammation.
As there are many different types of arthritis and related conditions, the specific causes and risk factors can vary greatly depending on the condition. If you experience pain or stiffness in the joints or other symptoms, it is important to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Symptoms of Rheumatic Diseases
The symptoms of these diseases can vary greatly depending on the specific case and severity, but some common symptoms include the following:
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Swelling of the joints
- Reduced range of motion in the affected joints
- Fatigue and weakness
- Fever
- Skin rash
- Difficulty moving or using a limb.
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
- Inflammation in other parts of the body, such as the eyes or lungs
- Weight loss
Many rheumatic diseases have symptoms that can easily be confused with other conditions, so it is important to see a health care provider if you experience any of these symptoms or if you suspect that you may have a rheumatic disease.
Diagnosis of Rheumatic Diseases
Here are some common steps being taken in the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases:
Medical history: The doctor will ask you about symptoms, medical history and family history of rheumatic diseases.
Physical examination: The doctor will examine the affected joints, muscles and bones for swelling and range of movement.
Laboratory tests: Blood tests are commonly used to diagnose rheumatic diseases, including inflammatory and antibody tests and rheumatoid agent.
Imaging studies: X-ray, ultrasound and MRI examinations can help detect joint damage, inflammation and other changes that may indicate rheumatology.
Additional tests: Depending on the specific symptoms and suspected condition, the doctor may request additional tests, such as joint suction, to exclude other possible causes of symptoms.
Some common rheumatic diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, lupus and gout. Diagnosing each case may require different sets of tests and assessments. It is important to see a rheumatologist, a rheumatologist, for proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
The most common rheumatic diseases among people
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis unlike most rheumatic diseases, osteoporosis is not associated with immune system problems.
t results from damage to cartilage, the cushion material at the end of your bones. As it wears out, your joints hurt and it becomes difficult to move them.
It usually affects the knees, hips, lower back, neck, fingers and feet.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Fatigue
- The tetanus
Muscle weakness can make the joints unstable. Depending on the parts of the body it affects , OA can make it difficult to walk, hold objects, get dressed, comb your hair, or Sit.
Diagnosis of osteoporosis
Your doctor will ask about your medical history and symptoms. You will also get a physical examination.
Usually by the time a person with arthritis seeks treatment , there are visible changes on the X-ray of the joint.
An X-ray may show a narrowing of the joint space or the presence of bone protrusions.
In some cases , your doctor may order an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to provide an image of the inside of the joint.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks your tissue and causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness. It’s not part of normal aging.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis:
- Pain and swelling in several joints (usually the same joints on both sides of the body, such as both wrists or both ankles)
- Problems with other organs such as eyes and lungs
- stiffness of joints especially in the morning
- Tired
- Blocks called rheumatic nodules
Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis
You will get a medical examination and tell your doctor about your health history.
The doctor may take X-rays and samples of the joint fluid. They will conduct blood tests that look for various signs of inflammation. These include:
- Nucleus Antibodies (ANA)
- Anti-Ring Citrolene Peptides (Anti-CCP)
- Comprehensive blood test
- Reactive c-protein (CRP)
- Erythrocyte deposition rate
- Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
Lupus
Lupus (also called SLE or systemic lupus erythematosus) is an autoimmune disease. It can affect many organs of the body.
Symptoms of lupus:
- Joint pain
- Tired
- Joint stiffness
- Skin rashes , including “butterfly” rashes on the cheeks
- Sun allergy
- Hair loss
- Blue or white fingers when exposed to cold (called Raynaud’s phenomenon)
- Problems with other organs such as the kidneys
- Blood disorders , such as anemia and low levels of white blood cells or platelets
- Chest pain from inflammation of the lining of the heart or lungs
- Seizures or strokes
Diagnosis of lupus
Your doctor will ask you about your medical history , will conduct a physical examination , and order laboratory tests for blood and urine samples. Blood tests for lupus include:
- Antinuclear antibody test (ANA). Most people with lupus have a positive blood test for ANA.
- Double-stranded anti-DNA antibody (Anti-dsDNA)
- Smith’s antibody (Smith’s antibody)
Scleritis vertebrae
Scleritis usually begins gradually as a lower back pain. It usually includes joints where the spine connects to the pelvis, known as incipient impotent joints.
Scleritis is more common in young people, especially from adolescence until the age of 30.
Symptoms of scleritis vertebrae:
- Gradual pain in the lower back and buttocks
- Lower back pain worsens and makes its way up the spine
- He felt pain between the shoulder and neck tablets.
- Back pain and stiffness, especially when resting and waking
- Pain and stiffness improves after activity
- Mid-back pain then upper back and neck (after 5-10 years)
If the condition worsens, your spine may become more stiff. It can be difficult to bend for everyday activities.
Diagnosis of scleritis vertebrae:
Your doctor will give you a physical exam and ask you about your medical history. You may get X-rays of your back, given the incipient joints. A blood test for a protein called HLA-B27 may help confirm a diagnosis.
Sjogren’s syndrome
Sjogren’s syndrome causes parts of the body to become dry , such as the eyes or mouth. Some people also suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Others have Sjogren. The cause is unknown, but it happens when your immune system attacks those parts of the body. It is more common in women than in men.
Symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome
- Dry eyes (the glands in your eyes don’t make enough tears)
- Eye irritation and burning
- Dry mouth (the glands in your mouth don’t produce enough saliva)
- Tooth decay, gum disease or thrush
- Swollen glands on both sides of your face
- Joint pain and stiffness (rarely)
- Diseases of internal organs (rarely)
Diagnosis of Sjogren’s syndrome
Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and ask you about your medical history. You may also get other tests. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may do a biopsy, and take tissue from your inner lip for examination in the laboratory.
Psoriatic arthritis
A form of autoimmune arthritis sometimes associated with skin symptoms of psoriasis, there are 5 types:
- Symmetric affects the joints on both sides of your body. It is the most common and is similar to RA.
- Asymmetry of the same joints does not affect both sides. It may be lighter than other forms.
- Distal affects the tips of your fingers and toes , along with your nails.
- Spondylitis affects the spine and neck.
- Arthritis attacks the small joints at the tips of the fingers and toes. It may be the most dangerous type.
Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis
- Painful swelling of the joints
- Stiffness – loss or range of motion
- Swollen fingers and toes-they are often called ring fingers or toes
- Tendon or ligament pain
- Hasty
- Changes in the nails of the hands and feet
- Tired
- Inflamed eyes
- Seizures – periods of activity of the disease and its symptoms are high
Most people may experience skin symptoms before they develop joint symptoms. Sometimes it affects the joints first. Some people have no skin symptoms.
Diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis
It is a disease that is difficult to identify. It can resemble rheumatoid arthritis, gout and even osteoarthritis.
Genes play a role in this disease , so your doctor will ask you about your medical history and the history of your relatives.
They will look at your joints to see if they are swollen and inflamed , and they may draw fluid from one of them to make sure gout or infectious arthritis is not the cause of your problems.
They will also examine your skin for signs of psoriasis. Imaging tests can show whether you have joint damage. Blood tests for psoriatic arthritis that look for signs of inflammation include:
- C-reactive protein
- Sedimentation rate
- Rheumatoid factor – people with psoriatic arthritis almost always test negative
Gout
Accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joint. Most of the time, it’s your big toe or another part of your foot.
Symptoms of gout
Severe joint pain: it’s probably in your big toe, but it could also be in your ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, or fingers.
- Discomfort: even after the acute pain is gone, your joint will still hurt.
- Inflammation and redness: the joint becomes red, swollen and soft.
- Movement problem: your joint will be stiff.
Diagnosis of gout
Gout can look like a lot of other diseases. Your doctor will ask you if you have:
- Sudden joint pain, often at night
- One or two joints are affected
- Pain-free times between attacks
- Laboratory tests for gout include:
- Synovial fluid analysis – to check for the presence of uric acid crystals in your joint
- Uric acid-looks for high levels in the blood
- Basic Metabolic Panel-checks how well the kidneys work
- Complete blood count (CBC) – looks for white blood cells to rule out other conditions
- Tests for infections such as rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibodies
Treatment of Rheumatism
Rheumatism treatment is usually comprehensive and multifaceted and may include drug therapy, physiotherapy, lifestyle changes and among the common treatments for rheumatism are:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin.
- Corticosteroids such as cortisone.
- Antibiotics for rheumatoid arthritis such as methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine
- Light exercise and stretching
- Eating and maintaining a healthy weight
- Application of ice and heat
- Physiotherapy, therapy, massage, ultraviolet therapy.
The type of treatment is selected based on the type of rheumatism, the patient’s condition and specifically on the degree of severity of the symptoms, therefore the patient should consult a doctor to determine the appropriate treatment plan.
Symptoms of rheumatism in women
While the symptoms of rheumatism can vary depending on the specific case, common symptoms of rheumatism in women may include:
- Pain and stiffness in the joints, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity
- Swelling of the affected joints
- Reduced range of motion or difficulty moving the affected joint
- Fatigue and weakness
- Muscle pain;
- Warmth and redness around the affected joint
- Fever and chills in some cases
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
These symptoms can be caused by a range of conditions , not just rheumatism. Therefore, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
