Rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis are medical terms often mixed up to describe pain and inflammation; however, they are two different conditions with specific characteristics, risk factors, symptoms, and management approaches.
Definition
Rheumatism is a more general term that was previously used more frequently by healthcare professionals to describe chronic conditions affecting the joints or connective tissues, causing pain and stiffness. Rheumatism does not refer to a particular condition and may include the following:
- Ankylosing spondylitis: is a chronic condition affecting the spine that may cause back stiffness.
- Crohn’s disease: inflammation of the colon or small intestines.
- Gout: a type of arthritis where uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints, leading to swelling, pain, and inflammation.
- Osteoporosis: loss of bone mass and density, resulting in fragile bones.
Arthritis is a general term that describes joint inflammation, and it includes a range of musculoskeletal disorders. There are two types of arthritis: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is an inflammation of the joints that develops with age and the wearing out of the joints. The symptoms often appear gradually and worsen with time and after physical activity. Joint pain may improve with movement and stretching.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a specific autoimmune disease that attacks the synovium (the lining of joints that helps the joint move smoothly), resulting in pain, fatigue, swelling, and inflammation. Eventually, RA may lead to joint damage. Most affected areas are joints, but RA can also target other parts of the human body, such as the eyes, heart, lungs, and skin.
Risk Factors
Rheumatism may develop at any gender, age, or race; however, some people are more prone to rheumatic disease than others, depending on the following risk factors:
- Genetic factors: People carrying the PTPN22 gene are more susceptible to rheumatism.
- Gender: Rheumatism develops in females more than males.
- Race: Rheumatism is more frequent in African Americans and Hispanics
- Exposure to toxins and chemicals
The exact cause of rheumatoid Arthritis is not yet well known since it’s an autoimmune disorder; however, genetic and environmental factors can increase its risk, including:
- Family history
- Smoking
- Some types of infections
- Obesity
- Hormonal factors, therefore, RA is more common in females.
Symptoms
The Symptoms of rheumatism are various depending on the type, they can range from mild to severe joint pain, stiffness, redness, and swelling. Some patients experience general fatigue and myalgia (muscle pain). These symptoms can be episodic or chronic.
On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis usually starts with morning joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. More than one joint may be affected, especially joints of the hands, wrists, and feet. The symptoms are often symmetrical, meaning both hands or feet are inflamed. Additionally, the inflammation may spread to other organs.
RA is a progressive condition and can lead to joint damage. Some people face general fatigue, poor quality of sleep, and loss of appetite. Others may have difficulty moving, which may lead to a loss of independence, resulting in depressive symptoms.
Treatment and Management
The treatment of rheumatism depends on the type and severity of the condition. Management approaches include the following:
- Lifestyle modifications, such as weight loss and eating healthy.
- Physical therapy
- Pharmacological intervention: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve the pain and reduce inflammation. Additionally, fibromyalgia treatment improves pain control and enhances the quality of sleep.
While the management of RA differs; it is not a curable condition. Therapeutic approaches help control the symptoms, increase the ability to perform daily activities, and slow down the progression of the disease as much as possible. They include the following:
- Medications:
- NSAIDs as analgesics to relieve pain and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Glucocorticoids reduce pain, stiffness, and inflammation, such as prednisolone.
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate.
- Biological treatments, such as adalimumab.
- JAK inhibitors for moderate to severe RA.
- Physiotherapy: it improves fitness and muscle strength. Also, helps in making the joints more flexible.
- Occupational therapy
- Lifestyle modifications: Regular exercise and healthy eating.
Early detection is key to managing and reducing the symptoms, slowing down disease progression, and preventing movement disabilities.
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