There are hundreds of different types of rheumatic disorders. All the disorders affect joints and muscles. They cause pain and swelling. Some rheumatological disorders also affect the whole body. It can be a little difficult to split all the rheumatological disorders into clean categories, as most disorders will fit into more than one category.
Arthritis
There are many different types of arthritis. The most common form is osteoarthritis which we typically associate with ageing. However, there are many other forms of arthritis, some may be caused by infection or autoimmune conditions. All types of arthritis cause joint pain, swelling and redness. This is because the soft tissue around the bones in the joints becomes damaged.
Autoimmune Disorders
There are several autoimmune diseases that medics consider as rheumatological disorders. The most common of this type is lupus. Lupus causes swelling in many parts of the body. These include skin, joints, lungs and heart.
Scleroderma is another example of this type of disorder. Scleroderma causes thickening of the skin as well as scarring in blood vessels, joint and in some organs.
Chronic Conditions
There are several different chronic conditions that are rheumatological in nature. Fibromyalgia is an example. The main symptoms of fibromyalgia are localised musculoskeletal pain.
Other Disorders
Bursitis is possibly one of the most common rheumatic disorders. Many people are affected by it, although most choose to treat the symptoms at home. Bursitis is a painful disorder that tends to affect one joint at a time. It is caused when the fluid-filled padding in the joints become inflamed. A typical example of this is tennis elbow.
What to do if you have symptoms of rheumatological disorders
If you have rheumatological disorders, then you would benefit from consulting with a specialist rheumatologist. Dr Stephanie Barrett runs clinics in Chelsea. She can help you to manage the pain and symptoms of your condition. Make an appointment today to find out how she can help you manage your condition and improve your health.
