Specific Diseases Treated by Rheumatologists.
Being diagnosed with a rheumatic disease can be scary and confusing, but with the right knowledge and a qualified rheumatologist and health care team, living well with rheumatic disease is quite possible. This trusted patient information page is designed to help rheumatology patients find the information they need about rheumatic diseases and conditions, diagnostic tests and common medications used to treat rheumatic diseases.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that, over time, can cause some of the vertebrae in your spine to fuse.MORE ABOUT
This fusing makes the spine less flexible and can result in a hunched-forward posture. If ribs are affected, it can be difficult to breathe deeply.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Antiphospholipid syndrome occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks some of the normal proteins in your blood.MORE ABOUT
Antiphospholipid syndrome can cause blood clots to form within your arteries or veins. It can also cause pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage and stillbirth.
Bursitis
Bursitis is a painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs, called bursae, that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near your joints.MORE ABOUT
Bursitis occurs when bursae become inflamed.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a hand and arm condition that causes numbness, tingling and other symptoms.MORE ABOUT
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by a pinched nerve in your wrist.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is not really a disease but a term used to describe the normal changes in your spinal discs as you age.MORE ABOUT
Spinal discs are soft, compressible discs that separate the interlocking bones (vertebrae) that make up the spine.
Dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis is an uncommon inflammatory disease marked by muscle weakness and a distinctive skin rash.MORE ABOUT
Dermatomyositis affects adults and children alike.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues.MORE ABOUT
Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.
Giant Cell Arteritis
Giant cell arteritis is an inflammation of the lining of your arteries. Most often, it affects the arteries in your head, especially those in your temples.MORE ABOUT
Giant cell arteritis frequently causes headaches, scalp tenderness, jaw pain and vision problems. If left untreated, it can lead to stroke or blindness.
Glucocorticoid-induced Osteoporosis
Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis is a form of osteoporosis that is caused by taking glucocorticoid medicines.MORE ABOUT
Taking a glucocorticoid medication (sometimes called corticosteroids) for treatment of inflammatory arthritis or other health problem may weaken your bones.
Gout
Gout is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness and tenderness in joints, often the joint at the base of the big toe.MORE ABOUT
Gout can affect anyone. Men are more likely to get gout, but women become increasingly susceptible to gout after menopause.
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is an uncommon disorder that causes inflammation of the blood vessels in your nose, sinuses, throat, lungs and kidneys.MORE ABOUT
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, formerly called Wegener’s granulomatosis, is one of a group of blood vessel disorders called vasculitis.
Lupus
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs.MORE ABOUT
Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems.
Neck Pain
Neck muscles can be strained from poor posture — whether it's leaning over your computer or hunching over your workbench.MORE ABOUT
Osteoarthritis also is a common cause of neck pain. Rarely, neck pain can be a symptom of a more serious problem.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide.MORE ABOUT
Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint in your body, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses such as bending over or coughing can cause a fracture.MORE ABOUT
Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness, especially in the shoulders.MORE ABOUT
Symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica usually begin quickly and are worse in the morning.
Polymyositis
Polymyositis is an uncommon inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness affecting both sides of your body.MORE ABOUT
Polymyositis can make it difficult to climb stairs, rise from a seated position, lift objects or reach overhead.
Pseudogout
Pseudogout (SOO-doe-gout) is a form of arthritis characterized by sudden, painful swelling in one or more of your joints. These episodes can last for days or weeks.MORE ABOUT
Also called calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease or CPPD, the common term “pseudogout” was coined for the condition’s similarity to gout.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis, a condition that features red patches of skin topped with silvery scales.MORE ABOUT
Most people develop psoriasis first and are later diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, but the joint problems can sometimes begin before skin lesions appear.
Raynaud’s Phenomenon
Raynaud's (ray-NOHZ) disease causes some areas of your body such as your fingers and toes to feel numb and cold in response to cold temperatures or stress.MORE ABOUT
Women are more likely than men to have Raynaud’s disease, also known as Raynaud or Raynaud’s phenomenon or syndrome.
Reactive Arthritis
Reactive arthritis is joint pain and swelling triggered by an infection in another part of your body, most often your intestines, genitals or urinary tract.MORE ABOUT
Reactive arthritis usually targets your knees and the joints of your ankles and feet. Inflammation also can affect your eyes, skin and urethra.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints.MORE ABOUT
In some people, the condition also can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is the growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells (granulomas) in different parts of your body — most commonly the lungs, lymph nodes, eyes and skin.MORE ABOUT
Doctors believe sarcoidosis results from the body’s immune system responding to an unknown substance, most likely something inhaled from the air.
Scleroderma
Scleroderma is a group of rare diseases that involve the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues.MORE ABOUT
Scleroderma affects women more often than men and most commonly occurs between the ages of 30 and 50.
Septicarthritis
Septic arthritis is a painful infection in a joint. The infection can come from germs that travel through your bloodstream from another part of your body.MORE ABOUT
Septic arthritis can also occur when a penetrating injury delivers germs directly into the joint.
Sjögren's Syndrome
Sjögren's syndrome is a disorder of your immune system identified by its two most common symptoms, dry eyes and a dry mouth.MORE ABOUT
Sjogren’s syndrome often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the open spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on your spinal cord and the nerves that travel through the spine to your arms and legs.MORE ABOUT
Spinal stenosis is most commonly caused by wear-and-tear changes in the spine related to osteoarthritis.
Vasculitis
Vasculitis is an inflammation of your blood vessels. It causes changes in the walls of blood vessels.MORE ABOUT
These changes restrict blood flow, resulting in organ and tissue damage.
