10 Questions about Rheumatism

In our country, rheumatic diseases are quite common. The muscles, bones, joints, and spine-like tissues and organs, particularly the joints, are affected by the disease. Rheumatism can be life-threatening because it can monitor the cardiovascular system without any symptoms.

Liv Hospital Rheumatology Specialist Dr. Senol Kobak, rheumatism tells about the curiosity.

1. What is Rheumatism?

The musculoskeletal system primarily holds; however, it is a chronic disease that can also involve many internal organs.
 

2. Who are caught in rheumatic diseases?

Rheumatic diseases can be seen at any age, including childhood. Degenerative rheumatic diseases can also be seen in the elderly, as well as in young men or women of childbearing age.
 

3. Is There a Genetic Transition?

Many rheumatic diseases may be genetic. In the presence of certain genes, the susceptibility to the disease has increased and the disease is more severe.
 

4. What Causes Symptoms of Rheumatic Diseases?

Rheumatic diseases can manifest themselves with very wide and different findings. Although the pain is in the foreground, this is the only visible part of the iceberg. In general, pain, swelling, movement limitation and morning stiffness are present in the joints.
 

5. Which Complaints Do Patients Apply?

Pain is the most important complaint that brings the patient to the doctor. A rheumatic disease should be considered in the presence of waist, back and neck pains in young men with morning stiffness. Young / middle age women may also experience pain, swelling and morning stiffness in small joints. In addition, mouth and eye dryness, skin rashes, mouth and genital area aphthae, hand or toes, whitening, yellowing and bruising, skin stiffness, hair loss, muscle aches and weakness, recurrent fever, abdominal and / or chest pain attacks visible.
 

6. Are Rheumatic Diseases Only Joints?

Joint involvement is only the visible part of the iceberg. Yes, patients often present with these complaints. However, rheumatic diseases, life-threatening heart, lung, kidney, nervous system, such as internal organ involvement can. Exercise with shortness of breath and / or dry cough may be the first symptoms of lung involvement. Chest pain and / or palpitations may be signs of cardiac involvement. Urinary color change, hypertension and / or kidney failure, kidney involvement can be seen. Again, headache, forgetfulness, epilepsy or numbness in the hands and feet, tingling and weakness are some of the symptoms of involvement of the nervous system.
 

7. Does rheumatic diseases cause disability?

The prevalence of the most common rheumatic diseases is 1 in 100. Rheumatic diseases have different prognosis and prognosis. Factors determining this course include type of disease, early diagnosis and treatment, as well as patient education and awareness. Some rheumatic diseases may result in disability.
 

8. How to Diagnose Rheumatic Diseases

Early diagnosis is very important in rheumatic diseases. Early diagnosis can prevent disability and internal organ involvement. The most important factor in the diagnosis of the disease is a good history and patient examination related to the disease. The symptoms of the patient, the findings related to the history of self and lineage, together with a good examination, are indispensable for the correct diagnosis. Blood and urine tests as well as direct radiography, ultrasonography, computer tomography may also be required.
 

9. Is it possible to treat rheumatic diseases?

Rheumatic diseases are chronic, inflammatory diseases. The goal of the treatment is not only to control the disease, but also to improve the functional status and quality of life of the patients. In recent years, these targets have been achieved with a wide range of treatment options. Rheumatic diseases should be based on basic effective drugs that change the course and prognosis of the disease rather than pain medication. The goal should be not only to control the pain, but also to control the disease. For the last 10 years, there have been revolutionary developments in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Some molecules involved in the formation of these diseases have been discovered and it has been possible to control the disease with the drugs developed for them.
 

10. What is the role of cortisone in treatment?

Cortisone is a drug frequently used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Where necessary, the appropriate dose and can be used safely under doctor's control.