Rheumatism, rheumatic conditions

Overview

Rheumatism is an umbrella term covering inflammatory and degenerative (wear and tear) diseases of the musculoskeletal system, including the bones of the head and trunk (axial skeleton). The bones, joints, muscles and connective tissue structures are affected. Rheumatic conditions can also affect the skin, eyes, internal organs (e.g. kidneys) and artery walls.

Typical symptoms of these diseases include pain (throbbing, shooting) and increasing functional impairment, depending on the organ and location.

This article provides a broad overview. More information about the most important conditions from the clinical spectrum of rheumatic disorders can be found in the health glossary:

• Inflammatory diseases
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Spondyloarthritides: psoriasis (psoriatic arthritis), Bekhterev's disease, arthritis with ulcerative colitis
  • Collagenosis: lupus (SLE), scleroderma
  • Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis
• Degenerative/caused by wear and tear
  • Arthrosis
  • Tendonitis
• Gout
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Fibromyalgia ("soft tissue rheumatism")

Symptoms

• Pain (throbbing, shooting)
  • Joint pain is typical
• Growing functional impairment, depending on the organ and location

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Autoimmune processes/infections (the immune system attacks the body's own tissues)
• Wear and tear
• Metabolic disorders

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Physical examination
• Blood test

Possible therapies

• Painkillers
  • NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
  • Paracetamol, metamizole, opioids
• Immunosuppressants, if necessary (e.g. cortisone)
• Other therapies, depending on the clinical picture

What can I do myself?

• Generally healthy lifestyle
• Sport and exercise
• Try out alternative treatment methods

When to see a doctor?

• Inflammation of a joint (redness, swelling, pain)
• Difficulty walking
• Severe or chronic pain
• Severe psychological strain and negative impact on daily life
• Vision problems
• Cloudy/reddish urine
• No/little urine

Further information

Rheumaliga Schweiz (Swiss League against Rheumatism)
www.rheumaliga.ch

Synonyms

rheumatism, rheumatic condition, rheumatic disease, condition from the clinical spectrum of rheumatic disorders