Joints are the places where bones meet, such as the elbow or the knee. If a joint is inflamed we call it
arthritis. If the tissues around the joint are inflamed, the name we give it will depend on the type of tissue.
Conditions may affect the bursae or sacs in the joints (bursitis), the tendons (tendinitis), the ligaments (enthesitis), the muscles (myositis), the arterial vessels (vasculitis) or the nerves (neuritis).
Better Conditions of Rheumatology
Some of the better known conditions are:
Gout
This is associated with eating red meat or food with high protein content. It is caused by an increase in uric acid in the blood and the subsequent depositing of this in the joints. It is more common in men aged 40 and over, and in post-menopausal women.
Rheumatic fever
This usually presents in individuals under the age of 20. It´s associated with a throat infection caused by beta-haemolytic streptococcus, producing a rise in the titres of an antibody against streptolysin O, more commonly known as ASLO. Thanks to effective antibiotics, it´s very rare nowadays.
Rheumatoid arthritis
This is an inflammatory disease that generally starts at an early age (20 to 40 years). Its cause is unknown, but it can lead to disability and significantly restricted movement if it is not diagnosed or treated in time.
Arthrosis
This is associated with wearing of the joints with the passage of time, and therefore is very common in older people (over the age of 50).
Systemic lupus erythematosus
This produces a butterfly-shaped rash on the face, causes arthritis, and can also affect the kidneys or blood, causing nephritis or autoimmune anemia (hemolytic anemia).
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