Learn To Psoriasis Free For Life!!!
Click Here
Psoriasis Lyme Disease
Arthritis, One Of The Many Rheumatic Diseases
The main common characteristics of the rheumatic conditions are represented by inflammations, followed by a disability of one of the body's supporting structures. The most affected by rheumatic diseases are the articulations, ligaments, bones, tendons and muscles that become painful, swollen and rigid. Some of the 100 types of rheumatic disorders may affect the other organs.
Some people generically call "arthritis" any kind of rheumatic problem. But, unlike the other conditions, arthritis only attacks the articulations. There are some rheumatic diseases that are considered disorders of connective tissues, while others are seen as auto immune.
Some rheumatic diseases are :
* - Rheumatic arthritis is a disease in which the synovium is swollen and very painful. The articulations hurt, become rigid and are severely damaged or taken out of use. The articulations of the hand of the feet are the most affected. Rheumatic arthritis is a symmetrical disease, which affects 1% of the population, only in the U.S.
* - Juvenile rheumatic arthritis is the most frequent arthritis that affects children. Most of the symptoms are common to those of the adults, but there are others to be added such as rashes and fever
* - Osteoarthritis affects the cartilages and makes them wear away. It causes pain of the articulations, rigidity, and in case it touches the spine, disables it ,the knees and hips, too. It is the most frequent form of arthritis and it affects over 21 millions of Americans
* - Systematic lupus erythematosus has a auto immune character. The healthy cells and tissues are damaged by the organism's own means of protecting itself against infections. The inflammation produced by this disease attacks the skin, the articulations, the kidneys, the brain, the blood vessels, the heart and the lungs.
* - Spondyloarthopathies that mostly attack the spine have, as any common form of ankylosing spondylitis. The spine is followed by the shoulders, hips and knees, then the inflammation extends over the tendons and ligaments, which become painful and rigid. It mostly affects young people. Other example of spondyloarthopathy is Reiter's syndrome, an infection of the bowel, the lower urinary tract and causes skin rashes, eye problems and mouth sores.
* - Fibromylagia has a chronic character and gives the articulations and the tissues that determine the bones to move, pain, rigidity, and localized sensitivity of the muscles and tendons. It especially affects the spine, shoulders, hips and neck and causes the patient insomnia and tiredness.
* - Scleroderma, or systematic sclerosis affects the skin, articulations and blood vessels, and, sometimes, internal organs. It is caused by an over increased quantity of collagen inside the body.
* - Polymylagia rheumatica is very painful and causes rigidity of the shoulders, hips, neck and lower back, especially in the morning. It affects tendons, muscles, ligaments and everything that surrounds the articulations. In time, it may degenerate into giant cell arthritis, a disorder that affects the arteries and generates weight loss, fever, swelling and weakness.
* - Gout is a type of arthritis generated by the deposits of uric acid crystals in the articulations. Has as main symptoms inflammation, swelling, and almost unbearable pain
* - Psoriatic arthritis affects only people with psoriasis. It mostly affects the fingers and toes' articulations and it modifies the aspect of the nails. In case it touches the spine, back pain is added to the symptoms
* - Infectious arthritis is caused by viruses or bacteria. Two examples are gonococcal arthritis and parvovirus arthritis. The symptoms of arthritis often appear in Lyme disease. This disease is generated by bacterial infection that occurs after the bite of some ticks.
An early diagnosis is vital to prevent a serious damage.
* - Tendinitis is, as the name says, a disorder of the tendons. They become inflamed, painful and extremely sensitive and produce restriction of movement
* - Bursitis is produced by the swelling of the bursae, it generates sensitivity and pain and limits the movements of the close articulations
* - Polymyositis weakens and inflames the muscle. It may cause disability, in case it affects the entire body.
About the Author
Learn about
Arthritis symptoms
Pityriasis rubra pilaris is a rare and chronic skin disorder that often has a sudden onset. Symptoms include reddish orange discolouration scaling, and severe flaking of the skin. Dr. W.A.D. Griffiths has classified six forms of PRP. At this time, the cause of PRP is unknown, and a cure is also unknown. The disease affects persons of all ages, races, and nationalities. Both sexes are affected equally. Many Support Group members report a varied clinical progression of the disease. Pityriasis rubra pilaris is a skin disorder that causes constant inflammation and scaling of the skin. It is generally accompanied by elevated erythematous spots (papules) on the skin. The papules are the most important diagnostic feature, being more or less acuminate, reddish brown, about pinhead size, and topped by a central horny plug.
Pityriasis rubra pilaris most often starts as a patchy rash on the scalp, face or chest. Over a period as short a several weeks it extends downward, and often covers much of the body. It spares areas of old scars and injuries, and leaves small islands of entirely unaffected skin. The rash has an orange-red color and the palms and soles become thickened. Rough, dry plugs can be felt within the rash. The itching is usually severe at first, and then later is not as bad as you would think considering how bad the rash looks. The best treatment is Accutane or Soriatane pills. These are closely related "retinoid" medications. While these have many minor side effects, they do not usually cause any serious harm to the body. A more potent and more effective treatment is methotrexate tablets, but as these can have dangerous side effects they are saved for people who don't improve with the retinoids.
Pityriasis rubra pilaris is the name given to a group of rare skin disorders that present with reddish-orange coloured scaling patches with well defined borders. The disease may affect entire body or just restrict to some parts such as the elbows and knees, palms and soles. The Disease generally produces elevated spots on the skin. These spots grow and become connected, producing red plaques over large areas containing dry plugged pores. It is found to be having association with abnormal metabolism of vitamin A. It could take as long as one to three years for an individual to fully recover from this skin disorder. It may occur in any race, and both male and female are equally affected. -The cause of pityriasis rubra pilaris is unknown. The 2 most common forms of the disease are juvenile classic, characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance and childhood onset, and adult classic, characterized by no apparent inheritance and adult onset. Atypical forms exist in both age groups. Sunlight can trigger a flare. Diagnosis is by clinical appearance and may be supported by biopsy. Differential diagnosis includes seborrheic dermatitis (in children) and psoriasis when disease occurs on the scalp, elbows, and knees.
Causes of Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris
Find common causes and risk factors of Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris:
Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris is generally sporadic, but in some forms it may be partially inherited.
Fungal infection may also be a cause of the disease.
Signs and Symptoms of Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris
Sign and symptoms may include the following:
Seborrhea of the scalp.
Pink swellings.
Lesions of the face.
Scaling lesions.
Itchy.
Rashes.
Treatment for Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris
Treatment may include:
Steroid creams and ointments may also be used to remove the rashes.
Methotrexate a strong drug used for suppressing the immune system may be used as a treatment for pityriasis rubra pilaris, but it too has many side effects.
Topical medications such as emollients may be used to get relive from dryness and cracking.
Treated with a derivative of vitamin A known as acitretin also useful in Pityriasis rubra pilaris but the treatment has some severe side effects.
Accutane or Soriatane pills are the best treatment.
Juliet Cohen writes articles on diseases and conditions and skin disorders. She also writes articles on herbal home remedies.
