Overview
Rheumatology is a branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the joints, muscles, bones, and connective tissues. It also includes many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, where the immune system attacks healthy tissues. Common examples include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and some forms of vasculitis.
Key Symptoms
People may be referred to rheumatology for joint pain, swelling, warmth, or stiffness, especially morning stiffness. Other symptoms can include back pain, muscle weakness, fatigue, fevers, skin rashes, dry eyes or dry mouth, and numbness or tingling. Symptoms may come and go or gradually worsen over time.
Causes and Risk Factors
Rheumatic diseases have many possible causes, and some do not have a single known cause. Genetics, immune system changes, age, infections, smoking, excess body weight, and environmental exposures may all play a role, depending on the condition. Some diseases are mainly wear-and-tear conditions, while others are inflammatory or autoimmune.
Who Is Affected
Rheumatic diseases can affect children, adults, and older people. Some conditions are more common in women, while others are more common in men or start at certain ages. These illnesses occur in all parts of the world and across all ethnic and social groups.
Diagnosis and Tests
Diagnosis usually starts with a detailed history and physical examination. A healthcare professional may ask about symptom patterns, family history, infections, and how symptoms affect daily life. Tests may include blood tests for inflammation or autoantibodies, urine tests, joint fluid analysis, X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, or bone density testing, depending on the suspected condition.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on the specific disease and how active or advanced it is. Care may include medicines to reduce inflammation or control immune activity, physical or occupational therapy, exercise plans, joint protection strategies, and treatment of related problems such as osteoporosis. Some people also need coordinated care with dermatology, nephrology, pulmonology, ophthalmology, or primary care.
Living With It
Many rheumatic diseases are long-term conditions that can affect work, mobility, sleep, and mental health. Keeping follow-up appointments, tracking symptoms, and learning about flares can help people manage day-to-day life. Support from family, community groups, rehabilitation professionals, and mental health services may also be helpful.
Diet and Lifestyle
Healthy daily habits can support overall joint and immune health, although they do not replace medical care. Regular movement, strength and flexibility work, stopping smoking, managing stress, protecting sleep, and maintaining a healthy weight may help symptoms and physical function. Some people benefit from discussing nutrition, alcohol use, and activity changes with a healthcare professional.
When to Seek Medical Care
Arrange medical care if you have ongoing joint swelling, prolonged morning stiffness, repeated gout-like attacks, unexplained rashes with joint pain, or symptoms that limit normal activities. New muscle weakness, back pain with stiffness, or unexplained fevers with body pain also deserve evaluation. Early review is especially important if symptoms are getting worse or affecting several body systems.
When It May Be an Emergency
Get urgent medical help for a hot, swollen joint with fever, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, sudden weakness, confusion, fainting, or signs of stroke. Emergency care is also needed for severe allergic reactions to a medicine, rapid swelling, or sudden vision changes. Some rheumatic diseases and their treatments can lead to serious infections or organ complications that need immediate attention.