Diseases That Are Like Rheumatoid Arthritis

Diseases That Are Like Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that causes joint pain in many parts of the body. This pain is typically seen or felt in the small joints of the wrists, fingers and feet. Because it is an inflammatory disease with body wide effects, symptoms such as fever, fatigue, malaise--not feeling well, loss of appetite and weight loss may occur in rheumatoid arthritis. There are a number of diseases that are like rheumatoid arthritis because they have some of its symptoms.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that involves deterioration of cartilage at joints. Cartilage is the part of joints that cushions the surfaces of the bones and allows smooth movement to occur. The Arthritis Foundation explains that osteoarthritis is characterized by deterioration of cartilage. This gives rise to symptoms similar to those seen in rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms that osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis share are pain in the joint, joint stiffness and loss of movement at affected joints. Osteoarthritis is similar to rheumatoid arthritis because they share these symptoms.

Gout

Gout is a disease that is like rheumatoid arthritis because its symptoms are similar to those seen in rheumatoid arthritis. The symptoms of gout are red, swollen, warm and painful joints. The Mayo Clinic explains that it is caused by accumulation of urate crystals at a joint. The accumulated crystals induce inflammation at the joint, which then lead to the symptoms of gout.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

"The Autoimmune Connection: Essential Information for Women on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Getting on with Your Life," by Rita Baron-Faust and Jill P. Buyon says that lupus also called systemic lupus erythematosus looks a lot like rheumatic arthritis. Lupus like rheumatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease. It is a chronic--life long--inflammatory condition that can affect almost every part of the body including the joints. When lupus affects the joints, it is manifested as swelling, redness and stiffness in the affected joint. These are all symptoms also seen in rheumatoid arthritis.

Psoriatic Arthritis

The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library says that psoriatic arthritis is similar to rheumatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the joints. It occurs in people who have psoriasis--an inflammatory skin disease characterized by raised patches of skin with red bases and white flaky tops. The Arthritis Foundation reports that 5 to 23 percent of psoriasis sufferers will develop psoriatic arthritis. Symptoms of this condition that are similar to those seen in arthritis are joint pain, swelling at the joints and a feeling of warmth in the joints.

source : livestrong.com