"Rheumatology is a branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis and management of disorders whose common feature is inflammation in the bones, muscles, joints, and internal organs."
A discussion of the common signs and symptoms of rheumatologic diseases and how they can be evaluated, diagnosed and managed.
Autoimmune Diseases: This topic covers the various autoimmune diseases that have a rheumatologic component, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjogren's syndrome, and scleroderma.
Inflammatory Arthritis: This includes types of arthritis that cause inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
Osteoarthritis: This topic covers the most common type of arthritis, which occurs due to wear and tear of the joints.
Vasculitis: This refers to inflammation of the blood vessels, which can result in a range of symptoms and complications.
Connective Tissue Disorders: This topic covers disorders of the connective tissues, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome.
Pain Management: This covers the different strategies for managing pain associated with rheumatologic diseases.
Imaging in Rheumatology: This topic covers the various imaging modalities used in diagnosis and management of rheumatologic diseases, such as X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI.
Biologic Therapy: This covers the use of targeted therapies, such as biologics, in the treatment of rheumatologic diseases.
Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Physiology: This covers the anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system, including the bones, muscles, and joints.
Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy: This topic covers the various rehabilitation and physical therapy strategies used in the treatment of rheumatologic diseases.
Epidemiology and Etiology of Rheumatologic Diseases: This topic covers the prevalence and causes of rheumatologic diseases.
Genetics of Rheumatologic Diseases: This topic covers the genetic factors that contribute to the development of rheumatologic diseases.
Differential Diagnosis of Rheumatologic Diseases: This topic covers the process of correctly identifying and distinguishing between different rheumatologic conditions.
Treatment Options: This topic covers the various treatment options available for rheumatologic diseases, including medications, lifestyle changes, and surgery.
Joint pain and stiffness: This is one of the most common symptoms of rheumatologic diseases, where the joints become painful, stiff, and swollen. It can affect any joint in the body, including the fingers, wrists, knees, ankles, hips, and spine.
Fatigue: Patients with rheumatologic diseases often experience a constant feeling of exhaustion and fatigue. This can be due to an ongoing inflammation that saps the body's energy.
Skin rash and changes: Many rheumatologic diseases can affect the skin, causing rashes, redness, and other changes. For instance, lupus can cause a "butterfly" rash on the face, scleroderma can cause hardening of the skin, and psoriatic arthritis can cause psoriasis patches.
Organ damage: Rheumatologic diseases can potentially cause multi-organ damage, affecting the heart, lungs, blood vessels, kidneys, liver, and nervous system. Some of these conditions can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Joint deformity: Depending on the severity of the underlying condition, patients with rheumatologic diseases can experience joint deformity and loss of mobility. This can cause significant pain and disability, affecting daily activities and quality of life.
"Rheumatology covers more than 100 different complex diseases."
"...which includes many forms of arthritis as well as lupus and Sjögren's syndrome."
"Doctors who have undergone formal training in rheumatology are called rheumatologists."
"Rheumatology has significant overlap with immunology, the branch of medicine that studies the immune system."
"Rheumatology (Greek ῥεῦμα, rheûma, flowing current)"
"...inflammation in the bones, muscles, joints, and internal organs."
"Rheumatism is a term used to describe the diagnosis and management of disorders in rheumatology."
"Diagnosis and management of disorders."
"Many of these diseases are now known to be disorders of the immune system."
"Diagnosis and management of disorders."
"...inflammation in the bones, muscles, joints, and internal organs."
"Rheumatology covers more than 100 different complex diseases."
"Rheumatology has significant overlap with immunology, the branch of medicine that studies the immune system."
"Many forms of arthritis" are included in rheumatology.
"Doctors who have undergone formal training in rheumatology are called rheumatologists."
"...including lupus and Sjögren's syndrome."
"The common feature is inflammation in the bones, muscles, joints, and internal organs."
"...management of disorders."
"The branch of medicine that studies the immune system."