Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which pressure on the median nerve at the wrist causes tingling and numbness in the fingers. It can begin suddenly or gradually, and can be associated with other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or it may be unrelated to other disorders.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Screening Quiz
- Test Your Knowledge: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- How Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Develops: Step-by-Step
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the spine that can fuse the vertebrae to produce a rigid spine. Other joints besides the spine may become involved.
Spondylitis is a result of inflammation which usually starts in tissue outside the joint. The most common early symptoms of spondylitis are low back pain and stiffness that continues for months.
The exact cause is still unknown, but, most people with spondylitis have a genetic marker known as HLA-B27. Having this genetic marker does not mean a person will develop spondylitis, but people with the marker are more likely to develop the disease. Ankylosing spondylitis usually affects men between the ages of 16 and 35, but it can also affect women.
- Ankylosing Spondylitis Screening Quiz
- Fast Facts About Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis: Often a Difficult or Delayed Diagnosis
Bursitis / Tendinitis
Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa sacs. Bursa are the fluid-filled sacs located in the areas where muscles and tendons glide over the bones. Tendinitis, also spelled tendonitis, is inflammation of a tendon. Tendons connect your muscles to your bones. Inflammation of the tendon sheath is tenosynovitis. When these areas become inflamed, movement becomes stiff and painful.
Infectious Arthritis
Infectious arthritis is a form of joint inflammation caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Diagnosis is made by culturing the organism from the joint.
- Septic arthritis is caused by bacterial invasion.
- Tuberculous arthritis is caused by tuberculosis.
- Fungal arthritis results from infection by a fungus.
- Gonococcal arthritis occurs with those infected with gonorrhea.
- Viral arthritis is caused by viral infections.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a serious tick-borne disorder. Lyme disease can affect the:- joints
- nervous system
- heart
- skin
- eyes
- Lyme Disease Screening Quiz
- Fast Facts About Lyme Disease
- Test Your Knowledge: Lyme Disease
- How to Protect Yourself Against Lyme Disease
Reactive Arthritis
Reactive arthritis, also called Reiter's syndrome, involves inflammation in the joints, and sometimes where ligaments and tendons attach to bones. People with Reiter's have arthritis and one or more of the following conditions:
Sjogren's Syndrome
Sjogren's syndrome is characterized by dysfunction of the moisture-producing glands causing dryness of the mouth and eyes. Other parts of the body may also be affected, resulting in a wide range of symptoms.
- Guide to Dry Eyes
- Guide to Dry Mouth
- Sjogren's Syndrome Screening Quiz
- Fast Facts About Sjogren's Syndrome
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis results in loss of bone tissue, leaving bones less dense and prone to fracture. Osteoporosis is a silent disease that can often be prevented.
- Osteoporosis Screening Quiz
- Osteoporosis Risk Factors
- Bone Up on Osteoporosis
- Osteoporosis vs. Osteoarthritis: Similar Names, Different Conditions
Other Conditions
- Raynaud's Phenomenon (a disorder causing blood vessels to constrict)
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica (may also have giant cell arteritis)
- Mixed Connective Tissue Diseases (an overlap of several diseases)
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (causes debilitating jaw pain and dysfunction)
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (also called reflex sympathetic dystrophy)
- Behcet's Disease (a chronic inflammatory disorder)
- Avascular Necrosis (also known as osteonecrosis)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (arthritis and osteoporosis are common complications)
- Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (causes calcification of the vertebrae)
- Vasculitides (disorders causing inflammation of blood vessels)
Related Resources
Sources: Arthritis: Timely Treatments For An Ageless Disease, FDA Consumer, May-June 2000
Do I Have Arthritis?, NIAMS, 7/01
