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When experiencing joint or muscle pain, it might be difficult to decide whether you need to see a doctor. You might even think your discomfort is just temporary and doesn¡¯t indicate any larger overall health issue. But if you¡¯re suffering from persistent joint and muscle pain, or are undergoing evaluation for autoimmune diseases, then you should schedule an appointment with a Rheumatologist. If left untreated, these conditions can permanently damage your health and lead to chronic pain, loss of joint function, bone erosions, and more.

Common Conditions

Rheumatological diseases are very common and can affect people of all ages, genders, races, and ethnicities. Symptoms of these conditions include pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints, muscles, bones, and other areas. These conditions may also be associated with fatigue, rashes, and a variety of other common symptoms. Some of the most common rheumatological diseases include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis: Autoimmune disease where your body's immune system attacks its own joint and cartilage tissue and causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in your joints
• Gout: Sudden, severe attacks of pain in one or more joints, most often in the big toe
• Pseudogout:?Condition similar to gout, most commonly affecting the knees or wrists
• Osteoporosis: Disease that thins and weakens bones and may increase the risk of bone fractures
• Tendonitis: Inflammation or irritation of a tendon
• Lupus: Disease that causes your body¡¯s immune system to attack its own tissues and organs
• Scleroderma: Disease involving the hardening and tightening of skin
• Vasculitis: Inflammation of blood vessels
• Myositis: Inflammation of muscles
• Ankylosing spondylitis: Disease that can cause bones in the spine to fuse
• Polymyalgia rheumatica: Muscle pain and stiffness, particularly in the shoulders and hips