Some patients have many concerns about the nature of rheumatic disease and its seriousness, and the question looms in their minds: Is rheumatic disease dangerous?
Is rheumatic disease dangerous? Is it possible to live with it for life?
Is rheumatic disease dangerous? One of the most important questions that many individuals who may suffer from this type of health condition may have is to find out the answer to the question, Is rheumatic disease dangerous? Continue reading the following article:
There are more than 100 types of rheumatic disease, and many of them may cause disability in daily activities and reduce the quality of life, and this usually depends on the severity of the inflammation that occurs. Generally, rheumatism is not considered a serious disease in the event of adherence to treatment and the correct lifestyle, but complications may result. Many serious diseases, especially if the diagnosis is not made early, or the patient does not receive appropriate treatment.
Here are the most common types of rheumatism and the serious complications that may result from it:
1. Serious complications of rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common types of rheumatism. Here are some of the potentially serious complications:
osteoporosis
Sjogren''s syndrome.
Rheumatoid nodes.
Weaken the immune system.
heart disease.
Lymphoma.
2. Serious complications of osteoarthritis
It is also called degenerative arthritis, and its possible complications include the following:
Chondrolysis.
Osteonecrosis.
Stress fractures.
Bleeding or infection in the joints.
Torn tendons and ligaments.
3. Serious complications of gout
Complications of gout include
Tophus are clumps of uric acid crystals that harden under the joints.
Permanent damage and deformity of the joints.
kidney stones
Kidney failure.
4. Serious complications of juvenile arthritis
This type of rheumatic disease affects young people, and its serious complications include the following:
Decreased leg length.
Skeletal abnormalities.
hemolytic anemia
blood clots
iritis
5. Serious complications of spondyloarthritis
It includes two types, namely: ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis, and among its most important complications are the following:
Spinal fractures.
Integration into the bones of the rib cage, which reduces the ability of the lung to complete its functions.
inflammation in the eye
Is rheumatic disease chronic?
Some types of rheumatism are chronic and last a lifetime, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, and others, while some other types may last for a short period of time, such as: arthritis caused by Lyme disease, where it is treated with antibiotics. Vital and healed within 3-4 weeks.
The patient also recovers from an acute gout attack within two weeks without treatment, and when appropriate treatments are used, the possibility of these attacks that appear several times a year may decrease.
What are the symptoms that require a doctor''s review?
You should see a doctor in the following cases
The appearance of new, unusual symptoms, such as: redness or swelling, especially if it accompanies a fever.
If any symptoms of arthritis persist for 3 days or more.
The occurrence of several episodes of arthritis symptoms within one month.
If you are having an attack of arthritis that does not go away within a week after proper treatment and rest.
Having difficulty performing usual daily tasks.
Rheumatism and depression
Rheumatism is not only related to physical health, as there is a closed circuit in which chronic pain resulting from arthritis has been linked to depression, as chronic pain can increase depression, and in turn depression can cause pain.
It is very important to know the root cause of the problem. If depression is the direct cause, psychotherapy and antidepressants can relieve the pain. On the other hand, if rheumatic disease is the main problem, relieving chronic pain and treating the cause can reduce depressive symptoms.
