Questions and Answers About Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases This fact sheet answers basic questions about arthritis and rheumatic diseases. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) has other fact sheets and booklets that provide more information about specific forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. NIAMS also has information about exercise and arthritis, pain and arthritis, and diet and arthritis. If you have further questions after reading this information, you may wish to discuss them with your finger pain finger pain doctor. What Are Rheumatic Diseases and What Is Arthritis? Examples of Rheumatic Diseases What Causes Rheumatic Disease? Who Is Affected by Arthritis and Rheumatic Conditions? What Are the Symptoms of Arthritis? How Are Rheumatic Diseases Diagnosed? What Are the Treatments? Work With Your Doctor To Limit Your Pain What Can Be Done To Help? What Research Is Being Done on Arthritis? The Health Partnership Program: A Local Diversity Outreach Initiative in the Rheumatic Diseases Where Can People Find More Information arthritis exercise finger pain About Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases? What Are Rheumatic Diseases and What Is Arthritis? Rheumatic diseases are characterized by inflammation (signs are redness and/or heat, swelling, and pain) and loss of function of one or more connecting or supporting structures of the body. They especially affect joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles. Common symptoms are pain, swelling, and stiffness. Some rheumatic diseases can also involve internal organs. There are more than 100 rheumatic diseases. Many people use the word "arthritis" to refer to joint sealers finger pain all rheumatic diseases. However, the word literally means joint inflammation. The many different kinds of arthritis comprise just a portion of the rheumatic diseases. Some rheumatic diseases are described as connective tissue diseases because they affect the supporting framework of the body and its internal organs. Others are known as autoimmune diseases because they occur when the immune system, which normally protects the body from infection and disease, harms the body's own healthy tissues. Throughout this fact sheet the terms healthy foods for arthritis finger pain "arthritis" and
