Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, where the spine connects to the pelvis. It belongs to a family of related conditions called spondyloarthritis. Over time, persistent inflammation can cause new bone to form in the spine, eventually leading to sections of vertebrae fusing together. This fusion reduces spinal flexibility and, in advanced cases, may result in a stooped or hunched posture.
Myositis is inflammation of the muscles that can cause weakness, fatigue, and sometimes muscle pain. It may make everyday activities, such as climbing stairs, standing up from a chair, or lifting your arms, more difficult. Treatment depends on the type of myositis and may include medications, physical therapy, and exercise tailored to your needs.
Gout is a chronic, systemic form of inflammatory arthritis that typically occurs in cycles of flares and remission. It develops when uric acid builds up in the blood and forms sharp, needle-like crystals in the joints and surrounding tissues. This crystal buildup triggers intense inflammation, resulting in sudden and often severe pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected joint.
Inflammatory bowel disease is the term used to describe two conditions: Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). These conditions are caused by chronic inflammation in parts of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) that includes the mouth, esophagus (which connects the throat and the stomach), stomach, small intestine, large intestine and anus. Crohn’s disease may affect any part of the GI tract but more commonly affects the small intestine. Ulcerative colitis (UC) affects the large intestine and the rectum (a small chamber at the end of the large intestine).
Joint pain is discomfort that affects one or more joints in your body. A joint is where the ends of two or more of your bones come together. For example, your hip joint is where your thigh bone meets your pelvis.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues throughout the body. Unlike some autoimmune conditions that target a single organ, lupus can affect multiple body systems, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, and blood cells.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. Often called “wear and tear” arthritis, it occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones gradually breaks down over time. As cartilage deteriorates, bones may begin to rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Osteoporosis (OP) is a degenerative bone disease that causes bone loss which makes bones weak of the skeleton and brittle to the point that even mild stress or a minor fall can cause fractures. The most common fracture sites in OP patients are the hip, wrist or spine. But upper arm, rib and pelvic fractures are often due to osteoporosis outside of significant trauma.
Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness, especially in the shoulders. Signs and symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica usually begin quickly and are worse in the morning. Most people who develop polymyalgia rheumatica are older than 65. It rarely affects people under 50.
Psoriatic Arthritis (PSA) is a specific type of arthritis that is linked with Psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes scaly, red rashes and thick pitted fingernails. While PSA is similar to other types of arthritis (inflammation and joint swelling), it does tend to affect fewer joints than some other arthritis’ like Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissue, causing persistent inflammation. Unlike osteoarthritis, which results from wear and tear, RA typically affects joints symmetrically—meaning if one knee or hand is involved, the other usually is too.
Scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, is a group of rare diseases that involve the hardening and tightening of the skin. It is associated with Raynaud’s phenomenon (three-phase color changes of the hands). It may also cause problems in the blood vessels, internal organs and digestive tract.
Sjogren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the glands that produce moisture, particularly the salivary glands and tear glands. This leads to the hallmark symptoms of the condition: persistent dry eyes and dry mouth.
Vasculitis involves inflammation of the blood vessels. The inflammation can cause the walls of the blood vessels to thicken, which reduces the width of the passageway through the vessel. If blood flow is restricted, it can result in organ and tissue damage. There are many types of vasculitis, such as giant cell arteritis (GCA), Kawasaki disease, microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA or Churg-Strauss), Behçet’s, as well as others. Vasculitis causes poor blood flow to organ tissues such as the lungs, kidneys, skin, eyes, or nerves. Patients may have one or repeated episodes throughout their life. It may be an autoimmune disease, but some types of vasculitis are reactions to medications, cancer or viral infections like hepatitis B or C.
Temporal arteritis is a form of vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels). In temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis or Horton’s arteritis, the temporal arteries (the blood vessels near the temples), which supply blood from the heart to the scalp, are inflamed (swollen) and constricted (narrowed). The vasculitis that causes temporal arteritis can involve other blood vessels, such as the posterior ciliary arteries (leading to blindness), or large blood vessels like the aorta and its branches, which can also lead to serious health problems.
Spondyloarthritis is a group of inflammatory conditions that can affect the spine, other joints, and areas where tendons and ligaments attach to bones. Symptoms may include back pain, joint swelling, and stiffness that is often worse in the morning or after rest. Treatment may include medications, physical therapy, and regular exercise to reduce inflammation, ease discomfort, and maintain mobility.