Arthritis
Ankylosing Spondylitis is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, although other joints can become involved. It causes inflammation of the spinal joints (vertebrae) that can lead to severe, chronic pain and discomfort.
Crohn’s arthritis results from the chronic inflammation that accompanies Crohn’s disease, which involves an overreaction of the immune system. Sometimes, this overreaction can cause problems in other areas of the body outside the gastrointestinal tract. The most common is in the joints.
Gout is a common and complex form of arthritis that occurs when urate crystals accumulate in a joint, causing the inflammation and intense pain of a gout attack. It's characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in the joints, often the joint at the base of the big toe.
Pseudo-gout is a form of arthritis characterized by sudden, painful swelling in one or more joints. These episodes can last for days or weeks. The most commonly affected joint is the knee. Similar to gout, crystal deposits within a joint cause pseudo-gout, although the type of crystal differs for each condition.
Psoriatic arthritis is a joint condition that often accompanies psoriasis, a chronic skin condition that causes red areas to develop on the skin.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. In autoimmune disease, the body attacks its own tissues and causes inflammation. The inflammation then causes pain and stiffness, which limits the range of motion in the joints. In some people, the joints swell and become deformed. RA affects one in every 100 Americans and is more common in women than in men. The condition is believed to be genetic in many cases.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is widespread pain in the muscles and soft tissues above and below the waist and on both sides of the body. People with fibromyalgia feel pain, tenderness, or both even when there is no injury or inflammation. It can cause long-lasting pain and has no cure. But with treatment, most people with fibromyalgia are able to work and do their regular activities.
Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks healthy tissues, causing inflammation. Although some people with lupus have only mild symptoms, the disease is lifelong and can become severe. But most people can control their symptoms and prevent severe damage to their organs. They do this by seeing their doctors often for checkups, getting enough rest and exercise, and taking medicines.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that affects your bones, making them thin and brittle. Osteoporosis can lead to broken bones (fractures) in the hip, spine and wrist. The disease affects millions of older adults and usually strikes after age 60. It's most common in women, but men can get it too. Treatment for osteoporosis includes medicine to reduce bone loss and to build bone thickness. In addition, getting enough calcium and vitamin D will help osteoporosis, along with exercise and diet to promote bone health.
Scleroderma
Scleroderma is a hardening and thickening of the skin. Both systemic and localized scleroderma are disorders that activate the immune system, leading to tissue damage and eventually resulting in excessive deposits of collagen (fibrosis).
Sjogren's Syndrome
Sjogren's Syndrome is a disease caused by overactivity of the immune system, leading to inflammation of the glands that make tears and saliva. Inflammation of those glands can lead to symptoms of dry eyes and mouth. Other symptoms such as general fatigue, skin and vaginal dryness are also common. Although less common, Sjogren's Syndrome can also involve the lung, brain, skin, joints, gastrointestinal tract, blood and kidneys. The disease can occur in anyone, at any time, but is more common in women who are around menopause age.
Vasculitis
Vasculitis is a disease characterized by swelling of blood vessels that causes them to thicken, narrow, weaken, or scar. It can sometimes occur as a secondary result of medication or disease.