Rheumatic diseases are autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that attack your body’s joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, muscles, and connective tissues.
There are more than 100 types of rheumatic disease, and they affect people of all ages. They can cause pain, inflammation, and life-changing disability.
Joint Pain and Swelling
Joint pain and swelling are common symptoms of rheumatic diseases. It can make it difficult to move and complete daily tasks, such as getting dressed or washing your hands.
See your doctor immediately if you have joint pain that doesn’t go away. A rheumatologist can determine your rheumatic disease by reviewing your medical history and physical examination.
The first thing your doctor will look for is inflammation in the joints. Swelling helps your body fight off dangerous invaders but can also damage the joint over time.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom of many diseases, including rheumatic diseases. Depending on the underlying cause, fatigue can be mild or severe and last for hours or days.
Your healthcare professional may use a variety of tests to diagnose your rheumatic diseases Catonsville and determine the best treatment for you. These tests can include blood work, urine screens, and X-rays.
A doctor can also ask questions about your lifestyle, diet, and life events to help them diagnose the cause of your fatigue. For example, they might ask you how often you get tired and how long it takes to recover.
Swelling of the Eyes
Swelling of the eyes is a common symptom, especially in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Swelling can occur in the eyelids, the eyes’ white part (sclera), or both.
Swollen eyelids usually go away within 24 to 48 hours. Treatment varies with the cause of the swelling.
Allergic reactions, such as those caused by dust, pollen, and other allergens, can cause swollen, itchy eyes that are red and painful. Severe allergic reactions may require an epinephrine pen.
Some medical conditions can also cause swelling of the eyes, including uveitis and keratitis. More serious complications, such as corneal ulcers or eye cancer, should be evaluated by an ophthalmologist. Early treatment can help prevent eye damage and vision loss. During an evaluation, doctors ask questions about the symptoms and perform a physical examination.
Muscle Pain
Pain in the muscles is a common symptom of many rheumatic diseases. This may be due to muscle strain, overuse, or an underlying condition.
Viruses, bacteria, and parasites can also cause inflammation of the muscles. These infections are generally self-limited and can be associated with muscle weakness or myalgia.
People with rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases often experience muscle pain. This pain usually comes on quickly and is worse in the morning.
Rheumatic disease can make moving or daily activities difficult, but treatment can help. Your doctor can recommend medication, exercise, and stress management to ease your symptoms. Contact your doctor immediately with any questions or concerns about your symptoms. They are specially trained to diagnose and treat rheumatic diseases.
Ear Pain
Many rheumatic diseases are inflammatory conditions that can cause pain, swelling, and tissue damage. It is important to get treatment early, especially if symptoms of the rheumatic disease begin to interfere with normal activities.
A common symptom of rheumatic diseases is ear pain. This may be a sign of an ear infection, which occurs when fluid accumulates in the middle ear and can be either viral or bacterial.
Ear infections can be very painful, but they usually resolve on their own or with the help of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as acetaminophen products like Tylenol.
If your child has an earache, try to have them sit or sleep with their head elevated. This can encourage the fluid to drain out of their ears, which will help with the pain.