Rheumatic Disorder: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
2025-11-12 00:00:00
Rheumatic disorder is a condition causing chronic, often intermittent pain affecting the joints or connective tissue. It includes many types of arthritis, a term used for conditions that affect your joints. Sometimes it is also known as musculoskeletal disease.
Types of rheumatic disorders
Many rheumatic disorders of chronic, intermittent pain (including joint pain, neck pain, or back pain) have historically been caused by infectious diseases.
The most common types are:
Osteoarthritis-
It is also known as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) and is the most common form of arthritis disorder. It can be classified into two categories: primary osteoarthritis and secondary osteoarthritis. OA usually accompanies joint pain and loss of function; however, the disease is clinically very variable and can present merely as an asymptomatic incidental finding to a devastating, permanently disabling disorder.
Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)-
It is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. This condition can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels.
Lupus:
It occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease). It is difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments.
Gout:
It is a form of inflammatory arthritis disorder that causes pain and swelling in your joints. It happens when there’s a buildup of uric acid in your body.
Ankylosing spondylitis:
It causes inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine. It may also affect peripheral joints like the knees, ankles, and hips. Normally, the joints and ligaments in the spine help us move and bend.
Psoriatic arthritis:
It is a disease that causes red patches of skin topped with silvery scales. It affects any part of the body, including your fingertips and spine, and can range from relatively mild to severe.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of rheumatic disorder may include:
Swollen joints and Redness:
Joints become swollen and warm.
Fatigue:
Chronic pain and inflammation can lead to fatigue.
Fever:
Pain and inflammation can lead to fatigue and tiredness.
Stiffness and Joint Pain:
Joints become swollen, warm, and red to the touch.
Skin Rash:
Lupus and psoriatic arthritis may cause skin rashes or lesions.
Rheumatic disorder signs and symptoms may vary in severity and occur in episodes. Periods of increased disease activity, called flares, alternate with periods of relative remission—when the swelling and pain fade or disappear. Over time, rheumatic disorder can cause joints to deform and shift out of place.
Causes of Rheumatic Disorders
Rheumatoid disorder is an autoimmune disease that affects the musculoskeletal system. Normally, your immune system helps protect your body from infection and disease. It can also cause medical problems with your heart, lungs, nerves, eyes, and skin.
Doctors don't know what starts this process, although a genetic component appears likely. While your genes don't actually cause rheumatoid disorder, they can make you more likely to react to environmental factors—such as infection with certain viruses and bacteria — that may trigger the disease.
Factors that may increase your risk of rheumatic disorder include:
●Your sex:
Women are more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis.
●Age:
Rheumatic disorder can occur at any age, but it most commonly begins in middle age.
●Genetics:
: It plays a significant role in the development of certain rheumatic conditions. For example, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis have a genetic component.
●Smoke:
Cigarette smoking increases your risk of developing rheumatic disorder, particularly if you have a genetic predisposition for developing the disease. Smoking also appears to be associated with greater disease severity.
●Lifestyle factors:
Obesity and lack of physical activity can contribute to the development of certain rheumatic disorders, particularly gout.
Managing Rheumatic Disorder
Managing a rheumatoid disorder involves medicaltreatments and lifestyle adjustments that are aimed at reducing pain and inflammation, preventing joint damage, and improving overall well-being.
- 1.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Stronger NSAIDs are also available by prescription.
- 2.Therapy can be taken from a therapist who can teach you exercises to help keep your joints flexible. For example, pick up an object using your forearms.
- 3.Assistive devices can make it easier to avoid stressing your painful joints. For instance, a kitchen knife equipped with a hand grip helps protect your finger and wrist joints. Certain tools, such as buttonhooks, can make it easier to get dressed.
- 4.Exercising regularly can help strengthen the muscles around your joints, and it can help reduce fatigue. Avoid exercising tender, injured, or severely inflamed joints.
When to see a doctor
Consult a doctor if you have pain in your joints that is accompanied by other symptoms such as-
- Pain, stiffness or swelling
- Fatigue
- Generalized weakness
- Skin rashes or lesions
- Hair loss