Rheumatic diseases are one of the diseases we frequently encounter when our patients apply to us because of their pain in the internal medicine outpatient clinic of our hospital.

What are Rheumatic Diseases?

Arthritis is the most common rheumatic disease seen in the community. Arthritis is divided into three according to its type: Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis. Other rheumatic diseases are connective tissue diseases and gout. These diseases greatly affect a person's life functions. Osteoarthritis is the deterioration of bone tissues under the cartilage.

It is popularly known as "calcification". Pain, tenderness and sound may occur in the calcified joint. It may progress slowly in the beginning and may lead to limitation of movement and stiffness in the later stages. It can cause deterioration of cartilage and remodeling of bones. In addition, symptoms may include joint stiffness, joint deformity or enlargement, and swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis, popularly known as inflammatory joint rheumatism, is an autoimmune disease seen in adults. It is more common in women than men. It disrupts the individual's routines and is an irreversible disease if not treated. Symptoms may include fatigue, morning stiffness, joint pain, swelling, and limitation of movement. Spondyloarthritis may not deteriorate the patient's posture and therefore can be mistaken for more common herniated discs or other spinal cord problems, so this disease can progress insidiously. Spondyloarthritis can also negatively affect other systems of the body and the patient may experience loss of function. Dermatological problems such as redness of the eyes and psoriasis, hard and reddened skin may also be among the negativities brought by this disease. Especially in the morning, low back pain, limitation of movement, fever, fatigue and weight loss are the symptoms of the disease. Fibromyalgia, also known as soft tissue disease, can reduce an individual's quality of life and even their commitment to life, because there is a situation where you wake up tired every morning and have difficulty waking up. Childhood traumas and stress are common causes of this disease. It is more common in women and perfectionist people. Fibromyalgia brings with it depression, memory and concentration problems. Difficulty in breathing, tinnitus, occasional constipation, pain, tenderness and fatigue are symptoms of the disease. Behçet's disease is a life-threatening disease with ulcers in the mouth and genital area, eye infection, skin problems, and sometimes vascular and brain involvement. Gout is both a metabolic and rheumatic disease and occurs with the accumulation of uric acid in the tissues as a result of increased uric acid production in the body. Swelling in the joints, increased pain at night and kidney involvement and calculi can be seen in individuals as symptoms of gout.

What are the Treatments for Rheumatic Diseases?

The treatment of osteoarthritis, the diagnosis of which is based on clinical and radiological findings, aims to facilitate the life of the person. This can be achieved with weight loss and exercise. As pain relief methods, hot or cold applications, medications, joint injections and surgical procedures can be performed in more advanced cases. Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment, just like osteroidatritis, is aimed at reducing pain and regulating the individual's life functions. Non-cortisone pain relievers, anti-infectives and modifying drugs are used as treatment. Spondyloarthritis treatments are gels and creams for dermatological problems, biological and antirheumatic drugs, injections into the joints, anti-inflammatory drugs and surgical interventions in advanced dimensions. Since it is a disease that affects all life and activities, fibromyalgia treatment is aimed at controlling pain and increasing the quality of life of the individual. Exercise is also recommended for this disease, and physical therapy, spas, massage and a healthy diet can be therapeutic. Although there are natural and herbal treatment methods, painkillers and antidepressants are used. Therapist help can be taken to prevent stress from triggering the disease. Behçet's disease may require a cooperative treatment method with other units such as obstetrics, urology, dermatology due to the diseases it causes.

It aims to prevent organ damage. Colchicine, azathioprine, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide and various biological drugs are used. Since gout is caused by uric acid, the first treatment should be to reduce uric acid triggering foods such as alcohol, coffee, red meat and some legumes. Our internal medicine specialist will help you by diagnosing your disease with correct diagnostic methods, determining the most appropriate treatment method for your disease, and by talking to the specialists of our other units, if necessary.