Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

What are they?

Points To Remember About Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

• The term arthritis is often used to refer to any disorder that affects the joints.
• Rheumatic diseases usually affect joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles. Some rheumatic diseases can also affect the organs.
• People with arthritis usually feel pain in one or more joints. Joints may also be warm, red, or hard to move.
• There are probably many genes that make people more likely to have rheumatic diseases.
• If you have the disease gene, something in your environment—such as a virus or injury—may trigger the disease.
• Medications are often used to treat symptoms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. Surgery may be an option in some cases.
• There are many other things you can do to help you live with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.

The term arthritis is often used to refer to any disorder that affects the joints. There are more than 100 rheumatic diseases. Rheumatic diseases usually affect joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles. Some rheumatic diseases can also affect the organs.