Rheumatism: Characteristics of a Group of Diseases

From verywellhealth.com

Rheumatism is a group of conditions affecting joints, muscles, and connective tissue. While several different conditions are classified as rheumatism, all of them share similar symptoms of joint pain and inflammation.

This article will discuss the different types of rheumatism, how they are diagnosed, and general treatment options for these types of conditions.

ljubaphoto / Getty Images

Terms to Know: Rheumatism, Rheumatoid, and Rheumatic Diseases

"Rheumatism" is a general term used to refer to any disease characterized by inflammation and pain in the joints, muscles, or connective tissue. In medical terms, "rheumatism" is more often referred to as "rheumatic diseases."

The word "rheumatoid" describes a form of arthritis—rheumatoid arthritis—which is a rheumatic disease. Also, rheumatoid factor is an inflammatory protein in the blood associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatism vs. Arthritis

Rheumatism refers to all conditions that cause pain and inflammation of joints, muscles, and connective tissue. Arthritis is one type of rheumatism that can affect any joint. There are several different forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis from wear and tear and degenerative changes, and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition. 

Classifying Rheumatism: Types of Diseases

"Rheumatism" is an umbrella term that encompasses many different conditions. These disorders affect joints, muscles, or connective tissue and can be autoimmune or non-autoimmune.

Non-Autoimmune

Non-autoimmune types of rheumatic diseases are commonly occurring conditions. The most common non-autoimmune disorder is osteoarthritis (OA), which causes joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation from cartilage breakdown. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, although the hands and fingers, wrists, spine, hips, and knees are most common.

Other non-autoimmune rheumatic diseases include:

• Fibromyalgia
• Gout

Autoimmune 

Autoimmune rheumatic diseases result when the body produces antibodies that attack its own joints, muscles, and connective tissue. This results in chronic (ongoing) inflammation throughout the body. 

Autoimmune rheumatic diseases include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Spondyloarthropathies, including ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis 
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Sjögren's syndrome
• Polymyalgia rheumatica

Rheumatoid arthritis is three times more likely to occur in women than in men. Symptoms typically begin between the ages of 30 and 60.

General Rheumatism Symptoms and Sensations

Rheumatism symptoms involve pain and inflammation of the body’s musculoskeletal system. The symptoms can be experienced throughout the entire body, or they may be limited to a certain area. These symptoms include:

• Joint pain
• Joint swelling
• Joint stiffness 
• Chronic pain or tenderness
• Warmth and redness around joints
• Limited joint movement
• Fatigue

Steps to Get a Rheumatism Diagnosis

Generally, no single test alone can diagnose any of the rheumatic diseases. Instead, your healthcare provider will make a diagnosis of a rheumatic disease based on your symptoms, a physical exam, and diagnostic testing. Many symptoms of rheumatic disease overlap with each other, so it may be difficult to get a correct diagnosis at first.

Blood tests can detect elevated levels of inflammatory markers or antibodies associated with autoimmune conditions. Imaging scans, such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, or computed tomography (CT) scans examine the extent of joint damage and inflammation.

Risk Factors

Rheumatic diseases result from a variety of different risk factors. These include:

• Genetics
• Environmental triggers
• Lifestyle choices that increase inflammation throughout the body
• Infections
• Metabolic disorders
• Physical trauma or overuse
  

Treatment and Management Options

Because there is no cure for rheumatic diseases, a variety of different treatment options are used to help manage symptoms.

For autoimmune rheumatic diseases, different types of medication can help decrease inflammation throughout the body. These include glucocorticoids to reduce inflammation, and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics to reduce autoimmune disease activity.

For all rheumatic diseases, medications such as the following may be useful to help alleviate pain:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Acetaminophen
• Opioids

Besides medications, other treatment options can be beneficial to improve your quality of life and everyday functioning. These include:

• Physical and/or occupational therapy to improve joint mobility and functional strength
• Stretches and regular exercise
• Heat or cold treatment to decrease stiffness and reduce pain and swelling
• Splints or braces to help stabilize and protect your joints
• Assistive devices like walkers, canes, or crutches to help with walking

In cases of severe joint inflammation and damage, joint replacement surgery may ultimately be needed for improved function and lasting pain relief. Joint replacement surgery is most often performed on:

• Knees
• Hips
• Shoulders 

Rheumatism Flares: Adjusting to Chronic Management

For chronic management of rheumatism and rheumatism flares, following healthy lifestyle habits can help lower levels of inflammation throughout the body to lessen the severity of symptoms. Self-management strategies include:

• Managing stress levels and staying connected to others
• Staying physically active while avoiding high impact and repetitive movements that can stress joints
• Maintaining an anti-inflammatory diet
• Getting adequate, interrupted sleep each night
• Supplementing with vitamin D to decrease the risk of osteoporosis (reduced bone density and mass, leading to brittle bones)

Summary

Rheumatism, also called rheumatic diseases, is an encompassing definition used to refer to various conditions that cause pain and inflammation in joints, muscles, and connective tissue. Rheumatism can be non-autoimmune, like osteoarthritis or gout, or autoimmune, like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and lupus. Symptoms of all rheumatic diseases include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and limited range of motion. 

A single test alone cannot diagnose rheumatism. A healthcare provider will look at your symptoms, take a physical examination, imaging, and blood work will help determine a diagnosis. While there is no cure for rheumatic diseases, medications, physical therapy, bracing, and heat and cold therapy can help manage symptoms. Following a healthy lifestyle to decrease inflammation throughout the body can help lessen severity of symptoms and decrease the likelihood of flare-ups.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/rheumatism-8386785

Is Running Bad for Your Knees?

From health.clevelandclinic.org

Running doesn’t cause knee arthritis, but you can take steps to minimise cartilage damage 

Running is one of the most affordable and convenient forms of exercise. But as you’re running (on a track at the gym, around your neighbourhood, on a trail in the park, on a treadmill at home), you may wonder if you’re damaging your joints. All that impact and motion — will it lead to arthritis in your knees?

Not exactly.

“Running is certainly a load-bearing sport that impacts your body. But it’s a bit of a myth that it’s bad for your joints. There’s little evidence that running causes knee arthritis,” says sports medicine physician Anne Rex, DO.

Dr. Rex says running isn’t inherently bad for your knees — but it does affect them. She explains and offers tips for protecting your joints.

How does running affect your knees?

“Running causes changes to the cartilage and fluids in your knees,” says Dr. Rex. “But these changes are temporary. Cartilage can recover from those changes in between runs, and your body adapts to running over time.”

Bottom line: Running does not cause arthritis, and when you rest, your body — and your knees — recover from the effects of running. A recent study backs this up. In a large survey of marathon runners, researchers found that running more did not raise their risk of arthritis.

Running may even lower your risk of arthritis. As your knees compress when you run, more fluid travels to your joints to keep them lubricated. That means running may benefit your joints (in addition to improving your health).

Dr. Rex emphasizes the many benefits of running. “Running is great cardiovascular exercise. It’s convenient because you don’t need any equipment except a good pair of running shoes. You can open your front door and just go.”

But where you run can make a difference in your joint health. Dr. Rex discusses the potential benefits and risks of different running terrains.

Does the running surface matter?

“The type of surface you run on does matter because it changes the impact on your body,” notes Dr. Rex.

Think about bouncing a golf ball on different surfaces. The ball bounces differently depending on how hard the surface is. The same is true for your joints. The harder the surface, the more impact on your joints. Softer terrain means less impact.

A cushy woodland trail might seem best but has potential problems. Although softer, cushioned terrain, like grass or dirt trails, offers a gentler run that reduces impact, you need to be careful of uneven ground, slippery spots and objects you could trip over.

“We know that running-related injuries increase the risk of arthritis and joint damage,” she adds.

Is running on a treadmill bad for your knees?

No, a treadmill isn’t bad for your knees. A treadmill is pretty easy on your joints because it’s flat, cushioned and free of obstacles.

“A treadmill can be great because you can run when the weather is bad or you don’t have access to a good outdoor route,” says Dr. Rex. “You can also control your pace and incline. But treadmills can be boring because there’s no change of scenery.”

She also cautions that if you’re training for a race, a treadmill isn’t a good choice. It’s best to train on the surface you’ll be racing on so your body can get used to it.

Is running on concrete bad for your knees?

“Asphalt and concrete are solid and predictable. And these surfaces are everywhere, so they’re convenient,” says Dr. Rex. “But they’re very hard, which means more impact on your joints and possible injury due to those forces.”

She advises building more rest time between runs on very hard surfaces, allowing your knee cartilage to recover. “Someone who’s younger may be able to run consecutive days on concrete and not feel pain,” she continues. “But someone who’s older or has arthritis may find they need more rest days.”

Is running every day bad for your knees?

“It really depends on you and the condition of your joints and body,” she clarifies. Running every day isn’t bad if your joints are healthy and you’re not trying to push through injuries. Always listen to your body rather than forcing yourself to stick to a strict running schedule.

How to protect your knees while running

Whether you’re training for a marathon or just getting started with running, take steps to give your knees some extra love.

Dr. Rex suggests six tips:

1. Wear the right shoes

Running shoes are the most important piece of equipment for protecting your bones and joints. Your shoes act as shock absorbers for your body, but they wear out over time and lose their ability to absorb the impact of running.

“I usually tell people to replace their running shoes every 300 to 500 miles,” she says. “It’s also important to pick the right type of shoe. I recommend going to a running specialty store to get expert help.”

2. Rest and recover between runs

“Runners with arthritis require a longer recovery time to allow for knee cartilage recovery,” Dr. Rex states. So, if you already have arthritis and you’re not taking enough rest time between runs, you could be setting yourself up for more joint pain and damage.

Even if you’re in great condition, uninjured and free of arthritis, rest days help prevent problems down the road. Also, make sure to get plenty of sleep — that’s when your body makes repairs.

3. Try knee braces

“For people with knee arthritis, I recommend trying some lightweight knee braces,” says Dr. Rex. “Braces may allow you to tolerate more running and even decrease the time needed to recover between runs.”

A sports medicine physician or physical therapist can help you find the right type of knee brace.

4. Don’t go too hard, too fast

To help avoid injuries, don’t increase your mileage or intensity too quickly. Dr. Rex recommends limiting distance and duration increases to no more than 10% per week.

She also cautions against transitioning from treadmill to outdoor running too quickly. Go slowly and give your body time to adjust to different surfaces.

5. Fuel your body well

“You need to give your body the right nutrition to perform exercise such as running,” emphasizes Dr. Rex. “If you’re a serious runner, I highly recommend working with a sports nutritionist to make sure you’re getting enough calories and nutrients to help your body and joints recover.”

6. Focus on flexibility and strength

Working on your flexibility and strength can help prevent injuries. But if you do get injured, don’t just rest.

“Ideally, you should be working with a sports medicine specialist to correct whatever caused the injury,” says Dr. Rex. “That may mean correcting a muscle weakness, reducing muscle tightness or working on your form.”

She also recommends cross-training to balance out your running routine. “Try strength training, yoga or other activities on your rest days.” These activities may also help you reduce your risk of arthritis. And try exercises and stretches to ease knee pain (runner’s knee).

Take steps to prevent injuries and avoid falls. And care for your body when you’re not running. This way, you’ll be able to keep logging miles for years to come.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-running-bad-for-your-knees/

Osteoarthritis may be treatable and reversible, new study shows

From news-medical.net

Current osteoarthritis treatment manages symptoms rather than addressing the underlying disease, but a new University of Adelaide study has shown the condition may be treatable and reversible.

Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of cartilage and other tissues in joints and is the most common form of arthritis in Australia, with one in five people over the age of 45 having the condition.

It is a long-term and progressive condition which affects people's mobility and has historically had no cure. Its treatment cost the Australian health system an estimated $3.9 billion in 2019-20.

Often described as a 'wear and tear' condition, factors such as ageing, obesity, injury and family history contribute to the progression of osteoarthritis.

University of Adelaide researchers discovered a novel population of stem cells – marked by the Gremlin 1 gene – responsible for the progression of osteoarthritis.

Treatment with fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) stimulated the proliferation of Gremlin 1 cells in joint cartilage in mice, leading to significant recovery of cartilage thickness and reduced osteoarthritis.

Gremlin 1 cells present opportunities for cartilage regeneration and their discovery will have relevance to other forms of cartilage injury and disease, which are notoriously challenging to repair and treat.

It challenges the categorisation of osteoarthritis as wear and tear.

"The findings of our study reimagine osteoarthritis not as a 'wear and tear' condition but as an active, and pharmaceutically reversible loss of critical articular cartilage stem cells," said the University of Adelaide's Dr Jia Ng from the Adelaide Medical School, who co-led the study.

"With this new information, we are now able to explore pharmaceutical options to directly target the stem cell population that is responsible for the development of articular cartilage and progression of osteoarthritis."

While Dr Ng describes current treatments for osteoarthritis as a "Band-Aid approach", this new understanding could lead to a pharmaceutical treatment that reverses osteoarthritis and helps to address health outcomes associated with the disease.

"Known comorbidities of osteoarthritis include heart, pulmonary, and kidney disease, mental and behavioural conditions, diabetes, and cancer.

Our study suggests that there may be new ways to treat the disease rather than just the symptoms, leading to better health outcomes and quality of life for people who suffer from osteoarthritis."

Dr Jia Ng from the Adelaide Medical School

 Though this discovery is limited to animal models, Dr Ng said there are genetic similarities to human samples, and human trials are ongoing.

"We look forward to the outcome of these trials and to contribute to the better understanding of a pharmaceutical mechanism to treat osteoarthritis," she said.

Results of a five-year clinical trial study using FGF18, known clinically as Sprifermin, were published in 2021 with potential long-term clinical benefit and no safety concerns.

Phase 3 of the Sprifermin trial is ongoing, and researchers envision public access to this treatment soon.

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231031/Osteoarthritis-may-be-treatable-and-reversible-new-study-shows.aspx?utm_source=news_medical_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=arthritis_newsletter_7_november_2023

Arthritis symptoms: How to identify the early signs

From healthshots.com

By Dr Anup Khatri

Arthritis is a debilitating disease that can affect your bones and joints. Recognising the early signs of arthritis can help in early diagnosis and treatment

Arthritis is a group of conditions affecting the joints. It is a silent but impactful intruder in the lives of millions of people worldwide. The journey of arthritis often begins subtly, with early symptoms that may be easy to overlook or misinterpret. Yet, understanding how arthritis symptoms commence is pivotal to early diagnosis and effective management.

Recognising the early signs of arthritis is crucial for timely intervention. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and prevent joint damage. If you suspect you may be experiencing arthritis symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional.

Know the early arthritis symptoms to reduce the risk

1. The first whisper: Joint pain

One of the initial signs of arthritis is joint pain. It typically begins as a mild, intermittent discomfort. You may notice a twinge of pain when you move a specific joint, such as your knee or wrist. At this stage, it’s easy to attribute the pain to overexertion, stress, or even the weather. However, if the discomfort persists or recurs, it’s a signal worth paying attention to.

                                                 Joint pain is the earliest symptom of arthritis. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

2. Morning stiffness: A telling clue

Arthritis often announces its presence through morning stiffness. You may find that your joints feel rigid and immobile when you wake up. This stiffness typically lasts for more than 30 minutes and gradually improves as you move and warm up. Morning stiffness can affect various joints, but it is frequently observed in the fingers, hands, knees, and feet.

3. Swelling and warmth: The inflammatory response

Inflammation is a hallmark of many types of arthritis. As the condition progresses, you might notice swelling in the affected joints. The joint may feel warm to the touch and appear red and puffy. Swelling is a result of the body’s immune response, which triggers the release of chemicals that promote blood flow and inflammation in an attempt to heal the joint.

4. Reduced range of motion: A gradual consequence

Arthritis can slowly erode joint function over time. You may notice a gradual reduction in your joint’s range of motion, making it harder for you to perform everyday tasks. Simple actions like bending your knees, gripping objects, or turning your neck might become more challenging as arthritis progresses.

5. Fatigue and weakness: The unseen struggles

Arthritis isn’t confined to joints. It can also affect your overall well-being. Chronic pain and inflammation can lead to fatigue and muscle weakness. You may find that you tire easily, and even routine activities may require more effort than before.

6. Symptoms beyond the joints

In some cases, arthritis extends beyond joint discomfort. Depending on the type of arthritis, you may experience additional symptoms. For instance, individuals with rheumatoid arthritis may encounter fatigue, fever, and weight loss. Psoriatic arthritis can involve skin and nail changes, while gout can bring about sudden, excruciating pain attacks.

Takeaway: Listen to the body

Arthritis symptoms often begin with subtle signals that can be mistaken for everyday aches and pains. However, paying attention to the nuances in how your body feels, such as joint pain, morning stiffness, and swelling, can make all the difference in early detection and management. Arthritis may be an unwelcome guest, but with awareness and timely action, you can take charge of your joint health and continue to lead a fulfilling life.

https://www.healthshots.com/preventive-care/self-care/early-arthritis-symptoms/