• Rheumatism and Arthritis
• What is the Rheumatism & Connective Tissue Diseases Saturday Seminar?

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　In the previous column, I mentioned that the term “ Rheumatism ” is used in a wide context　in daily life. Rheumatic diseases include a variety of conditions in which osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are most common.

　On the contrary, in foreign countries, especially in the United States, the term “Arthritis” is often used. Arthritis is originally a Greek word which means inflammation (itis) of the joints (arthron). Many different conditions can cause arthritis (cf. Table, Michael E. Weinblatt, M.D.). In other words, rheumatism and arthritis can be used interchangeably.

　Although each type of arthritis has a distinctive combination of symptoms, (1) difficulties in daily life such as climbing stairs, (2) fatigue, (3) joint pain, (4) stiffness, (5) swelling of the joints, are most common. These symptoms are not specific to a particular type of arthritis. If these symptoms persist despite of adequate rest and/or anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, it is very important to consult your home doctor who can help you in obtaining a proper and accurate diagnosis. In many arthritic conditions, an early and correct diagnosis is essential and it is the first step for choosing adequate treatments and for achieving satisfactory results.

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