ENWhat are Rheumatic Diseases?
Rheumatic diseases are inflammatory conditions that occur in bones, muscles and joints. There are more than a hundred diseases within the definition of rheumatic diseases. Some of these diseases are rare and some are common. Arthritis, one of the common rheumatic diseases, refers to pain, swelling, redness and loss of function in the joint. Rheumatic diseases are defined as multisystem diseases because they affect other systems besides muscles and joints.
The cause of rheumatic diseases is not fully known. Genetics, immune system and environmental factors are the main responsible factors.
What are the symptoms of rheumatic disease?
- Pain, swelling, deformity in the joints: Sometimes a single joint, sometimes more than one joint, may be affected. Pain may occur at rest or may increase with movement.
- Synovitis in the joints (inflammation and fluid accumulation in the joint space): Crystals accumulate in the joint fluid. This situation causes very severe pain.
- Muscle pain
- Muscle weakness
- Back and waist pain
- Rashes on the skin
- Nail changes
- Hardness of the skin
- Tear reduction
- Decreased saliva
- Eye redness, decreased vision
- Long lasting fever
- Paleness of fingers
- Shortness of breath, cough, bloody sputum
- Digestive system complaints
- Deterioration in kidney functions
- Nervous system disorders (paralysis)
- Clot formation in the veins
- Glands under the skin
- Hypersensitivity to the sun
- Difficulty sitting down and climbing stairs
rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, which is common in adults; It is a chronic, systemic and autoimmune disease. It can affect many tissues and systems. Excessive increase in synovial fluid in the joint spaces causes deformation in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause serious disabilities in the future. Patients initially experience fatigue, fever and pain in the joints. These symptoms are followed by joint pain, morning stiffness and symmetrical swelling in small joints. Swelling is most common in the wrists and hands. Other joints involved are elbows, knees, feet and cervical vertebrae. There may be swelling and pain in the jaw joint, so patients may have impaired chewing. Nodules under the skin may also be seen in rheumatoid arthritis. There may be nodules in the lungs, heart, eyes and larynx. Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to inflammation of the heart membranes in the future. There may be fluid accumulation between the lung membranes. Dry eyes may occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. There is no blood test specific to the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, which is more common in women. Radiology is of great importance in diagnosis.
The form of rheumatoid arthritis seen in children is called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or Stills disease. The disease, which shows symptoms similar to those in adults and negatively affects development, is seen before the age of 16.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease. The aim of treatment in rheumatoid arthritis; It can be summarized as relieving pain, preventing joint destruction and other complications, and enabling patients to continue their daily activities. Medication alone is not sufficient to achieve these goals. Patient education and regular check-ups are required.
Osteoarthritis (joint rheumatism-calcification)
Osteoarthritis is a progressive, non-inflammatory joint disease that affects all structures that make up the joint, especially cartilage. Pain, tenderness, limitation of movement and fluid accumulation are observed in the joints. Osteoarthritis can occur in a single joint, small joints, or many joints simultaneously. Hip, knee, hand and spine are the main areas of involvement.
Risk factors in osteoarthritis:
- The incidence increases significantly over the age of 65
- It is more common in women than in men
- Obesity
- Occupational strains
- Challenging sports activities
- Previous damage and disorders in the joints
- Lack of physical exercise
- Genetic factors
Osteoarthritis has a slow and insidious course in the beginning. There may be no clinical complaints in many joints that often show pathological and radiological osteoarthritis features. Therefore, the patient cannot determine when the disease started. When the disease begins to show symptoms, the complaints observed are pain, stiffness, limitation of movement, joint enlargement, deformity, joint dislocation and limitation of movement. Osteoarthritis pain typically increases with movement and decreases with rest. A feeling of stiffness in the joints is described in most cases of osteoarthritis. Patients may describe difficulty or pain at the beginning of movement in this way. The most typical feature of joint stiffness in osteoarthritis is the feeling of stiffness that occurs after inactivity. Restriction of movement often develops in the affected joints. Bony swellings and painful swellings may occur at the joint borders. On the other hand, rough crepitation (crunching) is often heard during movement of the osteoarthritic joint.
There is no specific test to diagnose osteoarthritis. The aim of treatment for osteoarthritis is to reduce pain and prevent disability.
Ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis usually starts in the hip joint in the early stages and affects the spine in the later stages; It is a progressive and chronic disease of unknown cause. In the town, it increases especially in the morning and with rest; Dull, chronic pain and movement restrictions, which decrease with heat, exercise and painkillers, are the most common symptoms. Patients have morning stiffness. Systemic findings such as low-grade fever, fatigue, weakness and weight loss may be observed. Uveitis may occur in the eye.
Systemic Lupus Erythmatosus (SLE)
Systemic lupus erymatosus is an autoimmune disease affecting many systems that occurs due to environmental and hormonal reasons in individuals with genetic predisposition. It progresses with exacerbations and periods of remission. General symptoms such as fever, weight loss and weakness are observed in SLE. The butterfly-like rash seen on the nose and cheeks of patients and developing as a result of sun exposure is specific to the disease. Additionally, ulcers in the mouth and various rashes on the skin may also occur. Arthritis in the hands, wrists and knees may also occur in SLE. The disease, which can affect the heart, lungs, digestive system and eyes, usually occurs before the age of 20. SLE, which is more common in women, may also be accompanied by depression and psychosis.
Soft tissue rheumatism (Fibromyalgia)
Fibromyalgia is known as chronic pain and fatigue syndrome. Patients wake up very tired in the morning. It is a disease that disrupts the quality of life. It is more common in women than in men. Stress exacerbates the disease. The most important symptom is sensitivity in some parts of the body. Patients wake up with pain in the morning and have difficulty waking up. Difficulty in breathing and tinnitus may occur. Fibromyalgia is more common in perfectionist and sensitive people. Depression, memory problems, and impaired concentration are also common in these patients. Patients often experience constipation and gas problems. Genetic factors have an impact on the formation of the disease. Fibromyalgia is more common in those who experienced emotional trauma in childhood. In addition to medications, treatments such as physical therapy, massage, behavioral therapy and regional injections are used in the treatment of fibromyalgia.
Behcet s disease
Behçets disease is a disease characterized by ulcerated sores in the mouth and genital organs and uveitis in the eye. It is thought to occur due to genetic and environmental factors. Behçets disease occurs equally in both men and women. Eye findings and vascular involvement are more common in men. Behçets disease is most common between the ages of 20 and 40. Behçets disease, which can cause arthritis in the joints, can lead to clot formation in the veins. The diagnosis of Behçets disease is made according to clinical symptoms. The disease has a chronic course.
Gout
Gout is both a metabolic disease and is included in rheumatic diseases. Some substances in the body, especially proteins, turn into uric acid and are eliminated from the body. As a result of increased production or impaired excretion of uric acid, uric acid accumulates in the tissues and gout occurs. Uric acid accumulates especially in the joints and kidneys. Symptoms of the disease may include swelling and pain in the joints, waking up at night due to pain, waist and abdominal pain and kidney stones if there is kidney involvement. Gout, which progresses in attacks, is more common in those who consume excessive red meat and alcohol.