Introduction to Rheumatic Diseases

What are rheumatic diseases?

Rheumatic diseases are the painful conditions of joints in the body. Millions of people are suffering from these conditions (diseases) all over the world. Often, these conditions start with the symptoms of pain and swelling in the joints and muscles. Joint pain (arthritis) is the commonest symptom with which the patients usually present to the practitioner or rheumatologist. Lots of rheumatic diseases have been discovered till date. Common rheumatic diseases include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus)
• Soriatic arthritis
• Ankylosing spondilytis (sacroiliac joint involvement at the base of the vertebral column)
• Sjogren's syndrome
• Gout

Rheumatoid Arthritis (Source: www.commons.wikimedia.org)

Rheumatic heart disease is the condition when joint and heart manifestations present together.

What is the treatment of rheumatic diseases?

When we talk about the treatment of rheumatic diseases, along with proper medication regular exercises, healthy diet, stress education and rest play an important role to subside the conditions. Rheumatic disease treatment includes analgesics (like NSAIDS are helpful and usually the patients are put on these drugs), steroids, DMARDS (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs), monoclonal antibodies ( infliximab, adalimubab etc.), and etanercept. Additionally, physiotherapy is playing great role in the management of these conditions. Also, home remedies such as healing agrimony bath, healing Scot’s pine bath, Comfrey tincture are also in, in some areas of the world. Moreover, rheumatoid arthritis diet is also considered as a part of the treatment.

Rheumatoid arthritis (Source: www.commons.wikimedia.org)

  

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Key words: Rheumatoid arthritis treatment, Rheumatoid arthritis diet, NSAIDS, DMARDS