what's the difference between rheumatism and arthritis?

Answer 1

What is the difference between Arthritis and Rheumatism?

Arthritis is a term applied to a large number of diseases which affect the joints. Rheumatism is the general name given to diseases which cause pain and stiffness of joints, bones, tendons or ligaments.

Let's take a look at Rheumatism first.
Rheumatism does not necessarily affect the joints. For example, a form of rheumatism commonly called fibrositis, is an illness usually involving your muscles. Bursitis, another form of rheumatism, is an inflammation of a small sac between your tendon and bone or between your muscles.

Arthritis, on the other hand, includes at least 25 different diseases. The most common forms are osteoarthritis (sometimes called degenerative joint disease), rheumatoid arthritis and gout. In addition to attacking joints, these illnesses may also strike neighboring structures such as muscles or even distant parts of the body such as heart, kidneys, lungs and liver.

These conditions tend to be chronic, that is, once a person has them, they are likely to last a long time and may be a source of trouble off and on all the rest of his life. The number of cases of chronic physical disability resulting from arthritis is second only to heart disease.

Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease is the form which often affects older people. As one gets older, the joints just wear out. This often happens along with some softening of the bones. This softening of the bones is called osteoporosis and it often affects older women.

Children also can suffer from rheumatic diseases and it is estimated about a quarter million American children have them.

Special tests are necessary to determine what type of rheumatism or arthritis a person has. Treatment then is tailored to fit the individual case.

Answer 2

Imagine for a moment your arthritis completely vanishing right now.

If, in a moment, your pain and stiffness melted away. And your joints all of a sudden functioned like a well-oiled machine.

Like a magic wand was waived, you'd be able to jump up from your chair and run around the room like a kid.

And imagine that you'd never have to suffer as much as a pinch of arthritis stiffness or pain ever again.

I know this sounds impossible right now, but bear with me, because sometimes miracles happen.

It was a gift from a woman on the other side of the world. From the kindness of her heart, she took pity on my suffering and taught me how to completely reverse my arthritis.

Today, I want to do the same for you!

Answer 3

The term "rheumatism" is still used in colloquial speech and historical contexts, but is no longer frequently used in medical or technical literature; it would be fair to say that there is no longer any recognized disorder simply called "rheumatism". The traditional term covers such a range of different problems that to ascribe symptoms to "rheumatism" is not to say very much: arthritis and rheumatism between them cover at least 200 different conditions.

Answer 4

My daughter has rhematoid arthritis at 18 months old, she is and has been in recession for quite some time she is going on six with no issues for about 2 1/2 almost three years.


Rheumatoid is and auto-immune disease effecting the joint (acutually the soft tissues and fluid around the joint). Typical arhtirtis will effect a joint or particular appendige etc...while the rhematoid disease can affect the eyes as well as your organs. More or less it is a blood diesease....

Answer 5

Rheumatism has more to do with the muscles....Arthritis has more to do with the bones.....soft matter & hard matter...

Answer 6

I don't know, maybe they are the same. But I will keep watching to see what everyone else says.

Answer 7

They are the same.