Rheumatic diseases affect joints and other supporting body structures, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones.
Rheumatic diseases can also affect other areas of the body, including internal organs.
Arthritis is one category of rheumatic disease and includes more than 100 different diseases. The symptoms of rheumatic diseases usually include pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints, but may also include rashes, muscle weakness, circulatory disturbances and dryness of the eyes or mouth. Several physicians from different medical specialties may be involved in the treatment of one person at the same time. This multidisciplinary team approach is important in managing the symptoms of rheumatic disease, since many symptoms are chronic and change in severity over time. The primary care physician could be a family physician, internist or pediatrician.