What are the differences or similarities between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and rheumatism?
Years ago, you may have heard a grandparent or other older person say, “My rheumatism is acting up” – translated as “my joints are really hurting today.” Your grandparent may not have known which particular form of arthritis he or she had and may not have been aware there were many different forms. Today we have more clearly defined types of arthritis and doctors don’t use the term. So your question is a good one because “rheumatism” and “rheumatoid arthritis” are often thought to be one and the same, but rheumatism is an obsolete, catch-all term – once used by both the medical field and general public – referring to all inflammatory conditions that affect the muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, bones and bursae. These conditions cause pain, stiffness and possibly joint deformity or structural damage. Although RA falls under the old umbrella term rheumatism, not all rheumatism is RA. RA is a form of arthritis that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the synovium – the thick m
Related Questions
- What should non-Muslims know about key similarities and differences between Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions?
- What are similarities and differences in the trajectories of the movements in Germany and Italy?
- What are the differences and similarities between "The Yellow Wallpaper" and "A Dolls House"?
