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rheumatologist in Delhi

Rheumatic Diseases

Many times, people talk about “rheumatism” as if it were a specific pathology, but the truth is that it is a concept that groups various diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system. The best known are arthritis and osteoarthritis, although there are more than 250 different types. They are highly prevalent diseases: in India, 1 in 4 people over 20 years of age says they have gone to (or made an appointment with) an arthritis doctor in Delhi and have taken any medicine for a month or more in the last year for any bone or joint problem.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES?

Rheumatic diseases can affect joints, muscles, bones or tendons, as well as other structures of the locomotor system. The main symptoms are the following:

  • Pain. It is the most recurrent symptom. The location will depend on the type of rheumatic disease that is suffered, for example, if the joints are affected you will feel pain in the knees or hands. It may appear only at specific times, especially when the affected areas of the body are used a lot, but it can also be a persistent sensation that even prevents the sleep of those who suffer it.
  • Stiffness or numbness. The pain can be accompanied by stiffness and numbness, especially when you start to move the affected body part (morning stiffness), and it usually subsides after some time has passed.
  • Punctures. Sometimes the pain can be in the form of pinpricks, either isolated or intermittent.
  • Heaviness and tiredness. The fatigue can be localized, that is, that only one part of the body hurts, or general.
  • Swelling or swelling in the joints. Very often, when rheumatic disease affects the joints, there is inflammation in the affected areas. This is due to an accumulation of synovial fluid in the atrial cavity.
  • Other symptoms: Alterations in other organs (extra-articular manifestations), loss of appetite, weight loss or fever may also occur.

If you feel joint pain (or muscles, tendons …), there is inflammation in the painful area or a loss of strength is noted, it is important to see a rheumatologist in Delhi. Many times, it is the primary care doctors themselves who diagnose the disease, but the specialist in this case is the best rheumatologist in Delhi.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

The diagnosis is made through clinical observation and a questionnaire by the arthritis specialist in Delhi, in addition to diagnostic tests such as laboratory tests (blood tests), x-rays or ultrasounds.

Regarding arthritis treatment in Delhi, the vast majority is based on pain relievers and anti-inflammatories. However, there are many different types of rheumatic diseases, so joint pain treatment in Delhi will depend on what structures are affected and what the origin of the condition is. For example, there are rheumatisms that are due to autoimmune activity, that is, when the defence system turns against the body itself causing inflammation of the joints and, therefore, they are treated with drugs that normalize the activity of the system.

TYPES OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES

There are diseases that we all easily associate with rheumatism, such as rheumatoid arthritis, but there are many others that we do not usually associate. Here are some of the most common:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis: This is a chronic inflammation in the tissue that lines the inside of the joints (synovial membrane). It is characterized by causing pain that does not improve with rest, swelling and stiffness, especially in the morning.
  • Osteoarthritis: Although it is often confused with arthritis, it is a very different disease. In this case, the affected tissue is articular cartilage, which is injured by wear and tear and produces pain with movement that improves with rest.
  • Osteoporosis: Yes, osteoporosis is a type of rheumatic disease, since the bones are part of the locomotor system. This disease is characterized by decreased bone density, leading to increased bone fragility.
  • Myopathies: Myopathies are caused by abnormalities in the muscles and cause muscle pain and functional limitation.
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus: It is a type of lupus that can affect many organs. It is a chronic autoimmune disease that manifests itself in the form of outbreaks. The most affected structures are usually the skin and the joints.
  • Systemic sclerosis: Like lupus, it is also autoimmune and chronic. There is an alteration in collagen, a protein substance that supports the organs and tissues of the body. Symptoms are tightening of the skin and organs that are affected.
  • Fibromyalgia: It is a disease of unknown origin in which fatigue and general pain are felt without there being any injury causing it.