A branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases, which primarily involve the joints, soft tissues, autoimmune disorders, and connective tissues.

Autoimmune Disease:

A condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, leading to inflammation, pain, and damage, often seen in various rheumatic diseases.

Arthritis:

Inflammation of one or more joints, resulting in pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased joint mobility; a common manifestation in many rheumatic conditions.

Connective Tissue Disorders:

Conditions affecting the tissues that support, bind, or separate organs and structures in the body, often involving collagen and leading to rheumatic diseases like lupus and scleroderma.

Osteoarthritis:

A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced joint function, distinct from autoimmune forms of arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA):

An autoimmune disorder causing chronic inflammation of the joints, particularly the small joints of the hands and feet, often resulting in joint damage and deformities.

Spondyloarthritis:

A group of inflammatory rheumatic diseases affecting the spine and large joints, including conditions like ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis.

Gout:

A type of arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in joints, leading to sudden and severe pain, swelling, and redness, commonly affecting the big toe.

Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus):

A chronic autoimmune disease that can affect various organs and tissues, leading to joint pain, skin rashes, fatigue, and systemic symptoms.

Sjögren’s Syndrome:

An autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the glands that produce saliva and tears, leading to dry eyes and mouth, joint pain, and fatigue.

Ankylosing Spondylitis:

A type of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine, causing stiffness and pain, often leading to fusion of the vertebrae and reduced mobility.

Fibromyalgia:

A chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness at specific points on the body, not associated with joint inflammation.

Biologics:

Medications derived from living organisms or produced through biotechnological processes, often used in the treatment of autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs):

Medications that modify the progression of rheumatic diseases by targeting the immune system, reducing inflammation, and preserving joint function.