Rheumatic diseases are inflammatory conditions that cause varying levels of pain and discomfort in the joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and bones. People of any age, ethnicity, and gender are susceptible to developing a rheumatic disease. 

These diseases are chronic and progressive, meaning that there is no cure and the symptoms will become worse as time goes on. Depending on the severity and type, rheumatic conditions can be incredibly debilitating and persistent.

If you’re suffering from chronic pain due to a rheumatic disease, Pharmacy Planet can help. We stock several proven rheumatic disease medications and treatments in our online pharmacy that we can ship swiftly and securely to your door.

Types of Rheumatic Diseases

There are over 100 different types of rheumatic diseases, including the various types of arthritis like osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis. 

Rheumatic diseases symptoms vary depending on the type of disease, but most types have a few similarities. This includes joint pain, stiffness, and limited range of movement in the joints.

Ankylosing Spondylitis: A form of arthritis that mainly affects the spine, causing stiffness, difficulty moving, and back pain. The bones may even fuse together.

Bursitis: The bursae are small, fluid filled sacs that cushion your bones and reduce friction between them and the tendons and muscles near your joints. Bursitis is an inflammation of these sacs, usually around the shoulder, elbow, and hip.

Crohn’s Disease: Crohn’s Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation in the digestive tract, which can include the bowels and intestines. Symptoms include stomach pain, cramps, diarrhoea, tiredness, and malnutrition.

Fibromyalgia: A condition that can cause pain all throughout the body as well as a heightened sensitivity to pain. Other associated symptoms include insomnia, tiredness, and mental health problems.

Gout: An acute form of arthritis that causes sudden and severe pain that can last for days at a time often in the big toe.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A type of arthritis that afflicts children and causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty moving the joints. Some children may also experience rashes and fever.

Lupus: An autoimmune disease that causes widespread inflammation throughout the body, joint pain, fever, rashes, and organ damage.

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It progressively breaks down the cartilage and without cartilage, the bones rub together when you move. As a result, osteoarthritis can cause stiffness, pain, and a limited range of movement.

Psoriatic Arthritis: A chronic disease that manifests as inflammation in the skin and joints. The most commonly affected areas of the body are the ends of the toes and fingers and the toenails and fingernails.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: A common form of arthritis that inflames the lining of the joints and causes long-term damage and chronic pain, especially in the hands and feet. Rheumatoid arthritis can progress to the point where the sufferer’s mobility is greatly reduced, resulting in disability. Unlike other types of arthritis, it causes symptoms on both sides of the body. 

Scleroderma: Scleroderma is a relatively rare condition that hardens and thickens the skin. It can even cause problems with the blood vessels and internal organs.

Tendonitis: Tendonitis is a condition where inflammation is present in the tendons that connect muscles to bone. It usually develops when these tendons are overused, injured or if there is a preexisting rheumatic condition. Symptoms usually include pain, tenderness and restricted movement.
Rheumatic Diseases Causes

Most rheumatic diseases occur when your immune system attacks your body’s tissues. Why the immune system does this in some people over others isn’t fully understood, but there are some common risk factors. For instance, women are more likely than men to get rheumatic disease than men.

Other risk factors are:

• Age increases the risk of some conditions like rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Lupus most often occurs in women between the ages of 15-45.
• Infections may trigger rheumatic conditions like lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis.
• High blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and kidney problems increase the risk of gout.
• A family history of rheumatic diseases.
• Prolonged exposure to pollution and cigarette smoke.

Rheumatic Disease Diagnosis

If you suspect you may be suffering from a rheumatic disease, make an appointment with your GP surgery. Your GP will go over your medical history and may refer you onward for diagnostic tests or for a consultation with a rheumatologist. The earlier your disease is diagnosed, the better treatment will work against your symptoms.

Because there are so many different types of rheumatic diseases, you may require several different tests to determine whether you have one and which one you have. This can be made even more complicated because symptoms of rheumatic diseases, especially lupus, can overlap with other diseases.

Blood tests can detect antibodies and inflammation associated with some rheumatic diseases as well as any abnormalities in your organ function.

Imaging like MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, and ultrasounds can give doctors views of your bones, tendons, muscles and joints. These images can also show any fluid build up or changes in your joints and bones.

Rheumatic Disease Medication & Rheumatic Disease Treatments

Your treatment will depend on which disease you’ve been diagnosed with and what your symptoms are. Topical analgesics, many of which are available over the counter, can be applied to the affected area to reduce your symptoms. Paracetamol can lower a fever and help with pain.

Often the most effective treatment for inflammatory diseases are NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). They work by reducing pain, redness, swelling, and inflammation. A common type of NSAID is Diclofenac Sodium. Available only on prescription, it comes in 25mg and 50mg strengths and can be used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout,  and ankylosing spondylitis among others.

To get relief from your symptoms, buy Diclofenac Tablets online in the UK from Pharmacy Planet. All you have to do is fill in a short assessment and then our pharmacists can send your rheumatic disease medication right to your home. Visit our website or contact us to find out more.