Rheumatic conditions that affect the joints, muscles, bones, soft tissue and organs, causing pain and swelling. Hallmark symptoms include painful, stiff, swollen joints and reduced mobility. Treatment varies by condition but often involves medication, physical therapy, or surgery. Lifestyle factors like maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in appropriate exercise, and home remedies such as heating pads or ice packs can also be crucial in rheumatic conditions management.
What to Expect at Your First Rheumatologist AppointmentMedically Reviewed by Sian Yik Lim, MD | March 28, 2025
FAQ
What are common rheumatic conditions?
Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout are among the most common rheumatic conditions. Others include systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, ankylosing spondylitis, and fibromyalgia.
What causes rheumatic pain?
Rheumatic pain can occur from several causes, including inflammation, injury, overuse and aging. A rheumatologist can help identify the cause of your rheumatic pain.
Can diet affect rheumatic conditions?
The gut is closely linked to inflammation, and certain foods can reduce or increase rheumatic condition activity. Obesity can also lead to increased body-wide inflammation. However, diet changes won’t completely replace the need for medications in rheumatic condition treatment.
How are rheumatic conditions diagnosed?
A doctor will examine the joints during physical exams, perform blood tests to look for specific markers or antibodies, and perform imaging scans to check for fluid buildup, damage, or inflammation. Some rheumatic conditions can take a while to diagnose.
What types of exercise are helpful for people with rheumatic conditions?
Exercising with a rheumatic condition may include low-impact activities such as biking or walking, stretching, balance exercises like tai chi, and resistance training. While you may need to adjust some movements, exercise remains crucial for physical and mental health.
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Sian Yik Lim, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist at Hawaii Pacific Health. He is a clinical certified densitometrist, certified by the International Society of Clinical Densit...
Dr. Joseph Hribick is a clinical assistant professor of physical therapy at Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania. He's an alumnus of Lebanon Valley College and received his bache...
Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, is the founder and lead dietitian at Maya Feller Nutrition. In her practice, her team provides medical nutrition therapy and nutrition coaching for hormon...
Alexa Meara, MD, is an assistant professor of immunology and rheumatology at The Ohio State University. She maintains a multidisciplinary vasculitis clinic and supervises a longitu...
Samir Dalvi, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist. He has over 14 years of experience in caring for patients with rheumatologic diseases, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid ar...
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