Did you have pain, stiffness, or swelling in the joints? If yes, probably you are suffering from Rheumatic disease.
Apart from joints, this disorder also affects muscles, tendons, bones, and ligaments. You might not know that rheumatic disorder can cause much more disability as compared to other chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, etc.
Rheumatic diseases are of various types, and most of their victims experience unique symptoms. This medical condition affects the patient’s life’s quality and makes them unable to perform simple routine tasks. That’s why it is crucial to detect its early symptoms on time and visit the best rheumatology center near you.
Rheumatology is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis as well as treatment of rheumatic ailments. And the specialists who practice rheumatology are known as rheumatologists. These professionals treat musculoskeletal conditions but are not trained to perform surgery.
An individual who wishes to become a rheumatologist must complete graduation in rheumatology, residency program, and rheumatology fellowship. After completing the fellowship program, they have to do the certification to open a clinic or to get a job in a hospital.
Now let us dive into the common types of Rheumatic Disease
RA
Rheumatoid arthritis is very common in females. It happens when the immune system mistakenly starts attacking your joints. Generally, this inflammatory disorder targets both sides of the body, like both knees, hands, wrist, and foot. Apart from joints, RA also damages skin, lungs, kidneys, heart, and blood vessels. If not treated on time, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to deformities that cannot be reversed.
Joint stiffness, pain, and inflammation are the key symptoms of RA. Also, victims of this disorder lose appetite and often feel tired. Therefore, it is vital to make an appointment with rheumatologists if you have swelling and unbearable pain in the joints.
Gout
Gout is also a type of arthritis that affects about 0.3% of India’s population. It is more common in males than females and occurs when an excessive amount of uric acid is present in the blood. The uric acid forms crystals in the knee, elbow, ankle, wrist, and big toe joints, which causes serious pain and redness. Typically the risk of developing this disease increases with age. Moreover, it has been observed that obese and alcoholic people are more prone to gout than lean people. Therefore, if you have lingering pain and discomfort in your joints, it would be better to avoid red meat, sugary drinks, shellfish etc.
Lupus
Like RA, lupus is also an autoimmune disease, with the only one difference and it is that RA is limited to the joints while lupus can also affect other organs (like kidney, blood cells, heart, etc.) Moreover, lupus is quite difficult to diagnose as its symptoms are often similar to those of other diseases. The most typical sign of this disease is the appearance of rashes on the face that resemble the wings of butterflies. It can develop due to genetic issues, infections, certain drugs and exposure to sunlight. In addition, lupus patients experience joint pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, dryness in the eyes.
Infectious Arthritis
It is also known as Septic arthritis and is generally caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungus attacks. Infants and older adults are at high risk of developing this disorder. In addition, people undergoing knee joint replacement often fall victim to infectious arthritis. It occurs in the knees, hips, shoulders and causes severe pain in the affected area. Therefore, it would be better to find the best rheumatology center in Mohali, Delhi, Mumbai, or any other city of India to prevent joint degeneration and permanent damage.
Osteoarthritis
The main causes of Osteoarthritis is aging, obesity, and injury. Millions of people in the world have been affected by this rheumatic disease. It is caused by the breakdown of the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones. The wear in the cartilage reduces the friction in the joint region and causes pain & stiffness. Although OA can attack any joint, it most often damages hips, knees, spine, and hands. Furthermore, it’s a degenerative disorder and gets worse over time.
The Bottom Line
Rheumatic disease is a serious health condition that can leave you with a lifetime disability. However, early diagnosis can help you manage the symptoms and get back to the life you enjoy.