Category: Rheumatology

Affecting around 10% of children, Joint Hypermobility Syndrome is the term used to describe the condition where ligaments are loose, allowing joints to move beyond their normal range. This article provides an authoritative overview of this connective tissue disorder and its broader implications for health.

While it's a common misconception that a single condition is the disease that causes calcium deposits, the truth is that several different illnesses can trigger this phenomenon. The buildup of calcium, known as calcification, occurs in various tissues for a multitude of reasons, from metabolic disorders to physical injury.

Affecting hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. alone, scleroderma is the disease where tissue hardens. This chronic autoimmune condition, derived from the Greek words for “hard” and “skin,” involves the overproduction of collagen, leading to a range of challenging symptoms.

Studies have shown that people with hypertension are at a significantly higher risk of developing gout, sometimes up to two times more likely than those with normal blood pressure. The question of 'Can high blood pressure trigger gout?' reveals a deeply intertwined medical relationship that involves complex physiological and metabolic processes.

Over 200 different connective tissue diseases (CTDs) have been identified, including those that are inherited and those that are autoimmune in nature. A common characteristic is that they can affect multiple organ systems, which helps explain what is a systemic disease of connective tissue.

While the acronym RF can refer to different medical conditions, the most common cause of a disease known as Rheumatic Fever is an untreated or undertreated strep throat infection. This critical link highlights why prompt antibiotic treatment is the most effective form of prevention.

According to specialist guidelines and patient studies, a first rheumatology appointment generally lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, though some complex cases may require up to two hours. The longer duration for a new patient visit is dedicated to a comprehensive assessment, history taking, and examination to establish a potential diagnosis.

According to studies, the prevalence of heart valve disease in adults increases significantly with age, with nonrheumatic conditions becoming increasingly common, especially in developed countries. This makes understanding what is nonrheumatic an important aspect of general health knowledge, distinguishing it from conditions with an autoimmune or rheumatic origin.

Periods of low disease activity are associated with significantly improved long-term outcomes for people with lupus, including reduced organ damage and fewer disease flares. This state, known as the Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS), offers an attainable therapeutic target that can profoundly benefit those living with the condition.

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Sjögren's syndrome affects between 400,000 and 3.1 million adults in the United States. While many people search for one expert who is the best doctor for Sjögren's syndrome, the most effective treatment plan involves a collaborative team of specialists.