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Rheumatology 101: Understanding Autoimmune Diseases That Affect Bones and Joints | India News – Times of India
Rheumatology is a medical subspecialty that deals with bones, joints and connective tissue disorders. Most of these conditions are autoimmune. That is, an individual’s immune system is affecting their tissues and organs. Rheumatologists are doctors who treat these types of conditions with medications, injections, and exercises. Simply put, for all bone and joint pain that is not a result of trauma, we need a rheumatologist.
Common diseases treated:
1. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
2. Ankylosing spondylitis/Spondyloarthritis
3. Psoriatic arthritis
4. Gout
5. Osteoporosis
6. Osteoarthritis
Less commonly treated diseases:
1. SLE (Systemic lupus erythematosus/Lupus)
2. Systemic sclerosis/mixed connective tissue disease
3. Sjögren’s syndrome
4. Vasculitis (eg: Takayasu arteritis, ANCA vasculitis etc.)
5. Sarcoidosis
When should you see a rheumatologist?
1. Pain and/or morning stiffness in multiple joints (rheumatoid arthritis)
2. Low back pain and morning stiffness (Spondyloarthritis)
3. Any non-traumatic bone or joint pain
4. High uric acid level with joint pain (gout)
5. Fracture after a trivial or minor fall (fracture due to osteoporosis)
6. Young women with fever, joint pain, mouth ulcers, excessive hair loss (Lupus/SLE)
7. Non-healing leg ulcer (Vasculitis)
8. Recurrent red eyes or eye inflammation
9. Dry mouth and dry eyes (Sjögren’s syndrome)
10. Color change (white/blue) in fingers when exposed to cold (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
11. Recurrent miscarriage/recurrent blood clots (antiphospholipid antibody syndrome)
Which two types of arthritis are most common?
Arthrosis is the most common type; with aging, the cartilage (cushion-like structure between two bones) undergoes wear and tear. The joint pain from osteoarthritis worsens with activity and improves with rest.
Rheumatoid arthritis is the next most common type, but the most common of inflammatory arthritis. In this, the pain is more at rest and after a period of inactivity and improves with rest. Therefore, anyone with morning stiffness (after resting all night) with or without swelling in the hand/foot joints or spine should see a rheumatologist to rule out rheumatoid or spondyloarthritis.
Some myths and facts about arthritis and bone health:
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition and patients suffer from pain throughout their lives.
No, early detection and prompt initiation of treatment relieves all symptoms and patients can have a good quality of life. Patients can be pain free without painkillers or steroids.
Painkillers and steroids are the only treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis.
No, painkillers or steroids are only temporary painkillers. They are often given for the first 2-3 months, as conventional RA medications take 8-12 weeks to start working.
But we have newer drugs, such as JAK inhibitors (oral drugs) and biologics (injections), that work faster and control inflammation better.
With the right use and dosage of the right RA medications, patients can say ‘NO TO PAINKILLERS OR STEROIDS’
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis
Yes, there is currently no permanent cure for RA. But early detection and treatment can lead to drug-free remission in a few (disease goes dormant and stays silent).
New trials of newer drugs and other futuristic therapies hold promise and offer opportunities for curing/preventing autoimmune diseases.
RA only affects the joints
No, RA is a systemic problem. If not controlled, it can lead to joint deformity and can affect other organs such as eyes, lungs, blood vessels, heart, etc.
Old people break their bones because of aging, it is natural
No, at any age, breaking a bone (fracture) from a trivial fall (fall from standing or walking height) is due to OSTEOPOROSIS. A simple screening test called DEXA SCAN and a good clinical risk assessment can lead to early detection of osteoporosis and all fragility fractures are largely preventable.
Unlike arthritis, connective tissue diseases (SLE/LUPUS, Myositis), Vasculitisetc. are complicated diseases with a greater chance of organ-threatening or life-threatening manifestations.
Yoga and/or exercise play an important role in the treatment of arthritis.
Adequate sleep, a healthy diet (more vegetables, fruits, dairy, sunlight (except in lupus) with less carbohydrates, lots of sugars and red meat) are just as important, along with physical activity.
Dr. Sham van Kauvery Hospital Alwarpet is a leading rheumatologist with 13 years of specialized experience in the management of autoimmune and rheumatic diseases. His areas of expertise include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), psoriatic arthritis and vasculitis. He has undergone advanced training in musculoskeletal ultrasound at prestigious institutes in the UK and Italy. Currently, Dr. Sham is an Associate Editor for both the Indian Journal of Rheumatology and the Journal of Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. In addition to his clinical practice, he has a keen interest in medical education and regularly organizes Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs for students and healthcare professionals.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the story are independent professional judgements of the experts and we do not take any responsibility for the accuracy of their views. This should not be considered as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your doctor for further information. Kauvery Hospital is solely responsible for the accuracy, reliability of the content and/or compliance with applicable laws. The above is non-editorial content and TIL does not guarantee, warrant or endorse any of it. Take all necessary steps to ensure that all information and content provided is correct, updated and verified.
Common diseases treated:
1. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
2. Ankylosing spondylitis/Spondyloarthritis
3. Psoriatic arthritis
4. Gout
5. Osteoporosis
6. Osteoarthritis
Less commonly treated diseases:
1. SLE (Systemic lupus erythematosus/Lupus)
2. Systemic sclerosis/mixed connective tissue disease
3. Sjögren’s syndrome
4. Vasculitis (eg: Takayasu arteritis, ANCA vasculitis etc.)
5. Sarcoidosis
When should you see a rheumatologist?
1. Pain and/or morning stiffness in multiple joints (rheumatoid arthritis)
2. Low back pain and morning stiffness (Spondyloarthritis)
3. Any non-traumatic bone or joint pain
4. High uric acid level with joint pain (gout)
5. Fracture after a trivial or minor fall (fracture due to osteoporosis)
6. Young women with fever, joint pain, mouth ulcers, excessive hair loss (Lupus/SLE)
7. Non-healing leg ulcer (Vasculitis)
8. Recurrent red eyes or eye inflammation
9. Dry mouth and dry eyes (Sjögren’s syndrome)
10. Color change (white/blue) in fingers when exposed to cold (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
11. Recurrent miscarriage/recurrent blood clots (antiphospholipid antibody syndrome)
Which two types of arthritis are most common?
Arthrosis is the most common type; with aging, the cartilage (cushion-like structure between two bones) undergoes wear and tear. The joint pain from osteoarthritis worsens with activity and improves with rest.
Rheumatoid arthritis is the next most common type, but the most common of inflammatory arthritis. In this, the pain is more at rest and after a period of inactivity and improves with rest. Therefore, anyone with morning stiffness (after resting all night) with or without swelling in the hand/foot joints or spine should see a rheumatologist to rule out rheumatoid or spondyloarthritis.
Some myths and facts about arthritis and bone health:
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition and patients suffer from pain throughout their lives.
No, early detection and prompt initiation of treatment relieves all symptoms and patients can have a good quality of life. Patients can be pain free without painkillers or steroids.
Painkillers and steroids are the only treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis.
No, painkillers or steroids are only temporary painkillers. They are often given for the first 2-3 months, as conventional RA medications take 8-12 weeks to start working.
But we have newer drugs, such as JAK inhibitors (oral drugs) and biologics (injections), that work faster and control inflammation better.
With the right use and dosage of the right RA medications, patients can say ‘NO TO PAINKILLERS OR STEROIDS’
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis
Yes, there is currently no permanent cure for RA. But early detection and treatment can lead to drug-free remission in a few (disease goes dormant and stays silent).
New trials of newer drugs and other futuristic therapies hold promise and offer opportunities for curing/preventing autoimmune diseases.
RA only affects the joints
No, RA is a systemic problem. If not controlled, it can lead to joint deformity and can affect other organs such as eyes, lungs, blood vessels, heart, etc.
Old people break their bones because of aging, it is natural
No, at any age, breaking a bone (fracture) from a trivial fall (fall from standing or walking height) is due to OSTEOPOROSIS. A simple screening test called DEXA SCAN and a good clinical risk assessment can lead to early detection of osteoporosis and all fragility fractures are largely preventable.
Unlike arthritis, connective tissue diseases (SLE/LUPUS, Myositis), Vasculitisetc. are complicated diseases with a greater chance of organ-threatening or life-threatening manifestations.
Yoga and/or exercise play an important role in the treatment of arthritis.
Adequate sleep, a healthy diet (more vegetables, fruits, dairy, sunlight (except in lupus) with less carbohydrates, lots of sugars and red meat) are just as important, along with physical activity.
Dr. Sham van Kauvery Hospital Alwarpet is a leading rheumatologist with 13 years of specialized experience in the management of autoimmune and rheumatic diseases. His areas of expertise include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), psoriatic arthritis and vasculitis. He has undergone advanced training in musculoskeletal ultrasound at prestigious institutes in the UK and Italy. Currently, Dr. Sham is an Associate Editor for both the Indian Journal of Rheumatology and the Journal of Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. In addition to his clinical practice, he has a keen interest in medical education and regularly organizes Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs for students and healthcare professionals.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the story are independent professional judgements of the experts and we do not take any responsibility for the accuracy of their views. This should not be considered as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your doctor for further information. Kauvery Hospital is solely responsible for the accuracy, reliability of the content and/or compliance with applicable laws. The above is non-editorial content and TIL does not guarantee, warrant or endorse any of it. Take all necessary steps to ensure that all information and content provided is correct, updated and verified.
