Diseases and Diagnosis
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic (long-term) type of inflammatory arthritis that causes stiffness and pain in the back.
Ankylosing means the fusion or melding of two bones into one. Spondylitis means inflammation of the spine. Chronic inflammation causes the spine to become stiff and inflexible.
Ankylosing Spondylitis belongs to a family of diseases called the seronegative spondyloarthropathies that also includes psoriatic arthritis, enteropathic arthritis and reactive arthritis.
Most people with Ankylosing Spondylitis notice the first signs and symptoms of the disease in their late teens to early 30s, but it can strike at any time.
Diagnosis
Ankylosing Spondylitis is best diagnosed by a rheumatologist, a type of doctor that specializes in arthritis and autoimmune disease.
To diagnose Ankylosing Spondylitis, they will take a careful and complete history and perform a thorough physical examination.
The doctor will likely order tests like blood tests, X-Rays, or an MRI to confirm their diagnosis
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a long-term (chronic) pain syndrome characterized by symptoms of widespread body pain, stiffness, and fatigue. It is a disorder of pain regulation where pain sensations are amplified and where sensations that are not normally painful can hurt.
The pain and stiffness of Fibromyalgia are usually worse in the morning and it can take hours before the body loosens up.
Fibromyalgia pain can be quite variable and can be aggravated by stress, lack of sleep, physical activity, and even the weather.
The exact causes of Fibromyalgia are not fully understood and there may be multiple triggers involved. Researchers believe that it is a neurologic (brain) problem related to how the body transmits and interprets pain signals.
The disease affects mostly young to middle-aged people. The majority of cases occur after a stressful incident, such as an emotional or physical injury. For example, a car accident or another medical illness could trigger Fibromyalgia. The disease is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people.
Diagnosis
fibromyalgia is diagnosed by physicians through the process of elimination to rule out other diseases with similar symptoms. It can be confusing to diagnose the disease because it does not cause obvious damage to tissues.
Physicians will conduct a thorough physical exam, and thoroughly review their patient’s medical history.
A thorough series of blood tests helps to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.
Gout
Gout is the most common type of inflammatory arthritis. It is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body and the formation of uric acid crystals in the joint
When buildups of uric acid crystals are attacked by the body’s immune system, the affected joints become red, hot, swollen, and sore.
People with gout can have flares of extremely painful, warm, red and swollen joints. The big toe is the most common joint affected but other joints can be affected as well.
The best way to manage gout is to keep levels of uric acid in a healthy range. Foods including meats, fish, seafood, alcohol, and sugary drinks increase uric acid levels in the body.
Diagnosis
Gout is often diagnosed by a primary care physician (family doctor). If there are questions a rheumatologist, a type of doctor that specializes in arthritis and autoimmune disease can be consulted.
To diagnose Gout, doctors will take a careful and complete history and perform a thorough physical examination. They will note if their patient has risk factors for gout, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, and which joints are affected. Gout often attacks only one joint in the toe, ankle, or knee.
Based on this information, the doctor will likely order tests like blood tests and might draw a sample of fluid from an affected joint to inspect.
It’s important for doctors to rule out other diseases that can sometimes look like gout.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. It is caused by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints.
When the cartilage in a joint begins to break down, it results in swelling and pain in the joint. As cartilage continues to wear away, bones begin to rub against each other. This bone-on-bone contact causes stiffness, swelling, and pain in the joint.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative form of arthritis and is a chronic (long-term) disease. Because this disease is caused by wearing away of the cartilage, more people develop it as they age.
Who Gets Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis usually occurs in people aged 50 years or older and is more common in women than in me.
Diagnosis
Osteoarthritis is diagnosed by a thorough assessment and physical examination by a physician familiar with the disease. Many family physicians are very comfortable making this diagnosis. Other diagnoses.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that is unique in that it can affect both the joints and the skin.
Inflamed joints in arthritis can be swollen and painful while patches of inflamed skin called psoriasis can be itchy and scaly.
Psoriatic Arthritis can also affect other parts of the body including tendons in the feet, knee, hips, or ribs.
Psoriatic Arthritis belongs to a family of diseases called the seronegative spondyloarthropathies. Other members of this family include ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis and enteropathic arthritis.
Autoimmune Disease
Psoriatic Arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning that it occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells and tissues. The reason why it does this is not well understood. When the body’s immune system is “activated” in this way, it can make a person feel very tired, similar to when they have the flu.
Diagnosis
Psoriatic arthritis is best diagnosed by a rheumatologist, a type of doctor that specializes in arthritis and autoimmune disease. To diagnose Psoriatic Arthritis, a doctor will take a careful and complete history and perform a thorough physical examination.
Sjögren's Syndrome
Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic (long-term) disease that affects the body’s moisture-producing glands and causes a reduction in a variety of body fluids.
The most common glands that are affected by Sjögren’s are the tear glands and salivary glands. People with Sjögren’s often have dry eyes that can feel gritty and suffer from dry mouth. The dryness usually gets worse as the day goes on.
Diagnosis
Sjögren’s syndrome can be properly diagnosed by a rheumatologist, a type of doctor that specializes in arthritis and autoimmune disease, or another specialist who knows a lot about the disease. Sjögren’s syndrome can be tricky to diagnose and having someone experienced is very useful.
To diagnose Sjögren’s syndrome, physicians will take a careful and thorough history. They will ask many questions because Sjögren’s can have so many symptoms.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic (long-term) condition that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. It is a systemic rheumatic disease, which means that the disease can affect the entire body.
It is one of the most common types of inflammatory arthritis and is estimated to affect 1% of the population.
Autoimmune Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning that it occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells and tissues. The reason why it does this is not well understood. When the body’s immune system is “activated” in this way, it can make a person feel very tired, similar to when they have the flu.
Importance of Early Treatment
It is very important that Rheumatoid Arthritis is treated as early and aggressively as possible to put out the “fire” in patients’ joints. This prevents further joint damage that can ultimately have crippling effects, and can reduce the risk of other problems associated with chronic inflammation, such as heart disease. With proper treatment, many patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis can enjoy active and productive lives, and prevent long-term damage to their joints.
Diagnosis
Rheumatoid arthritis is best diagnosed by a rheumatologist, a type of doctor that is a specialist in arthritis and autoimmune diseases. To diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis, a doctor will take a complete history and perform a thorough physical examination. They will usually order blood tests and x-rays to help confirm their diagnosis.
Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)
Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) or Scleroderma is a rare disease characterized by hardening of the skin due to a build-up of fibrous scar tissue, causing a tight and shiny appearance.
The most common area affected by the disease is the fingers, however many other areas can be affected. In some cases other connective tissues or organs such as the lungs and kidneys are affected, leading to a wider range of symptoms.
There are two forms of systemic sclerosis: limited and diffuse. In the limited form, skin involvement is limited to lower parts of the arms and legs, and the face and neck. In the diffuse form, skin involvement is more widespread.
Diagnosis
systemic Sclerosis is best diagnosed by a rheumatologist, a type of doctor that specializes in arthritis and autoimmune disease. To diagnose the disease, a doctor will take a careful and complete history and perform a thorough physical examination. Based on this information, the doctor will likely order tests like blood tests and scans to confirm the diagnosis.
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