Tag Archives: conditions

The Dangers of a Fatty Liver

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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic fatty liver disease are two subtypes of a dangerous condition whereby a person’s liver is comprised of over 5-10% fat. While fatty liver disease is generally a reversible condition, if it is left unchecked, it can be fatal in its later stages.

What Are the Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease?

Fatty liver disease can be asymptomatic initially, or it may cause such symptoms as: fatigue, weight loss or loss of appetite, nausea, weakness, confusion or poor concentration. It may also cause an enlarged liver. Eventually, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can lead to cirrhosis (irreversible scarring) of the liver, which is a life-threatening condition. Symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver include:

  • Abdominal swelling
  • Gynecomastia
  • An enlarged spleen
  • Enlarged blood vessels under the skin
  • Jaundice (yellowed skin)
  • Reddened palms

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Alcoholic fatty liver disease is caused by exactly what its title suggests: consuming too much alcohol. It could be the result of long term alcoholism, or it could even be caused by one or two large-scale drinking binges. Some people have a genetic predisposition that may prevent their body from efficiently breaking down alcohol, making them more likely to develop alcoholic fatty liver disease. Luckily, many cases of alcoholic fatty liver disease are reversible if the person abstains from drinking more alcohol, but if it is left untreated and the person continues to drink, they are risking deadly liver complications.

Causes of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

While every case is different and the exact causes aren’t always pinpointed, some causes may include:

  • Being overweight or obese
  • Losing a large amount of weight too quickly
  • Certain medications
  • Autoimmune disease
  • Certain viruses
  • High triglyceride level in the blood or high cholesterol
  • A chronically poor, or high fat diet may contribute
  • Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
  • Insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes is highly associated with fatty liver disease)
  • Those with diabetes, thyroid problems, polycystic ovarian syndrome or sleep apnea are at higher risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease than others.
  • Rarely, pregnancy can cause fat to build up in the liver

Diagnosis and Treatment

Fatty liver disease is typically diagnosed when routine blood test screening of the liver (such as the ALT or GTT test) shows abnormal readings. It can also be diagnosed if the liver feels enlarged during a physical examination or ultrasound test. The doctor will likely order further tests to confirm his or her suspicion of a fatty liver. Treatment for fatty liver disease usually focuses more on lifestyle modification and treating comorbid conditions such as hyperglycemia or high cholesterol. If the person has alcoholic fatty liver disease the primary objective is break the dependency and have the patient quit drinking completely. If the patient is overweight, a healthier diet would be implemented and weight loss of 5-10% of the person’s overall body weight would be recommended.

That concludes our look at fatty liver disease, thank-you for visiting DocChat!

How Smoking Can Mess With Your Entire Body

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Smoking causes nearly half a million deaths in the United States annually. And while most people know that smoking is a leading health hazard, many don’t realize just how many different ways it can adversely affect your health. Let’s take a look at how smoking affects the different systems in your body:

Your Head and Face:

  • Smoking increases your risk of developing oral Cancer. Chewing tobacco further increases this risk.
  • Smoking can lead to tooth loss and gum disease (periodontitis).
  • Increased stroke risk: Smoking can lead to a buildup of plaque in the blood vessels, as well as greatly increase risk of blood clots. Both of these factors combined puts smokers in greater danger of having a stroke.
  • Smoking increases your risk of developing cataracts or blindness due to macular degeneration.

Your Lungs:

  • Lung cancer – According to the CDC, smoking causes over 90% of lung cancer deaths. Moreover, even more women are killed by lung cancer than breast cancer.
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of life-threatening lung conditions primarily caused by smoking. 80% of COPD deaths are a result of smoking.
  • Smoking increases your risk of developing pneumonia when you catch a viral or bacterial lung infection because your lungs are already compromised by smoke toxins.
  • Smoking can cause general damage to your airways and alveoli because of the influx of harmful chemicals directly to the lungs.

Your Heart:

  • Heart Disease. Smokers have a 2-4 times higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than non-smokers.
  • Smoking puts you at an increased risk of developing an aneurysm or aortic rupture.
  • Smoking can contribute to blockages that can restrict blood flow to the extremities.
  • Smoking spikes adrenaline levels in your blood steam which can cause tachycardia, making your heart work harder than it has to.

Your Stomach:

  • Smoking can lead to different types of cancer of the digestive tract such as colorectal, esophageal or larynx cancers.
  • Smoking can worsen pre-existing gastrointestinal conditions such as GERD.
  • Smoking increases your risk of developing intestinal complications such as gallstones, ulcers or polyps.

Your Reproductive Organs:

  • Smoking can reduced fertility in both males and females.
  • It can also lead to impotence in men.
  • An Ectopic pregnancy can occur in women who were smokers around the time of getting pregnant or continue to smoke throughout the pregnancy.
  • Smoking can lead to a miscarriage or increased risk of SIDS death in babies exposed to smoke in the womb or to second hand smoke after birth.

Your Circulatory System:

  • Smoking can lead to thickened blood vessels, causing them to narrow so blood can’t flow efficiently. This can lead to hypertension or blood clots.
  • Smoking damages blood cells.

Your Immune System:

  • Smoking can cause decreased immune function and general inflammation in the body.
  • Smoking increases your risk of developing certain autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
  • You are more likely to develop Crohn’s disease if you are a smoker.

Your Pancreas:

  • Smoking is a lead contributor to type 2 diabetes and diabetes mellitus because it increases blood sugar levels, leading to insulin resistance.
  • Pancreatic cancer is more likely to develop in those who smoke.

Your Bones and Joints:

  • Smoking lowers estrogen levels in the body which can lead to early osteoporosis.
  • Smoking can weaken your bones in general, which can contribute to easy fractures.

These aren’t even all the problems smoking can cause. Second hand, or passive smoking, can cause many of these health problems as well. It is particularly dangerous to children and can lead to stunted growth, lung conditions and many more issues. So, do your health (and the health of those around you) a favor and quit smoking today!

Thanks for visiting DocChat!

 

 

25 Potential Causes of a Rash (Part 1)

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Rashes are a common nuisance we all experience from time to time. Sometimes they are harmless and clear themselves up, but a rash could also be a symptom of a larger underlying condition. Let’s take a look at some potential causes of rashes:

  1. Fungal infection – A yeast or fungal infection normally causes redness, itchiness, burning and soreness. They commonly occur in the genital area, but can occur nearly anywhere on the skin.
  2. Contact dermatitis can occur as a result of a sensitivity to an irritant and often appears as a red, streaky or spotty rash that may be painful and itchy.
  3. Allergies – urticaria (hives) usually present as itchy raised welts or bumps on the skin. There are often several in clusters on the affected area (they can also happen all over the skin).
  4. Fifths disease often causes a bright scarlet-colored rash across the cheeks (“slapped cheek”) that spreads to the rest of the body including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. This disease commonly affects children.
  5. Shingles (herpes zoster), can cause a burning, painful or tingling rash that presents as a series of clustered blisters which can quickly spread if not treated.
  6. Scarlet fever can cause a rash that appears similar to a sunburn and feels rough to the touch. It usually starts on the upper torso and spreads to the rest of the body.
  7. Measles – usually appear as itchy bumps spread around the body and accompanied by itching eyes and cold-like symptoms.
  8. Chicken pox – looks like tiny red bumps all over the skin that eventually become fluid-filled blisters. These are very itchy, sometimes painful or burning.
  9. Bed bug bites – Often appearing as small clusters of itchy, tiny red bumps, bed bug bites can be tricky to figure out right away. Usually these clusters are on the legs or arms but can be anywhere.
  10. Lupus or other autoimmune conditions can commonly cause a non-specified rash. Lupus in particular causes a malar rash, which is specifically over the bridge of the nose and on both cheeks.

Stay tuned for 15 more potential rash causes next, thanks for visiting DocChat!

 

What Contributes to Thyroid Dysfunction?

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The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck (below the Adam’s apple) that produces the triiodothyronine and thyroxine hormones. These hormones help regulate many functions within the body including metabolism, heart rate, growth and reproductive processes. A whopping 20 million Americans will develop some type of thyroid condition at some point in their lifetimes, more women being affected than men. There are various disorders that cause this gland to malfunction, let’s take a closer look:

Different Thyroid Conditions

The two most common thyroid diseases are: Hypothyroidism (when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones), and hyperthyroidism (when your thyroid gland is overactive). However, thyroid dysfunction goes well beyond these two disorders. Some of the lesser known thyroid conditions include:

  1. Thyroid cancer – There are different types of cancer that affect the thyroid such as medullary, follicular, hurtle cell and anaplastic thyroid cancer.
  2. Goiter – When the thyroid gland becomes abnormally enlarged it is referred to as a goiter. It is often caused by an iodine deficiency and may indicate an underlying condition.
  3. Thyroiditis – refers to inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by an underlying condition (such as a virus).
  4. Graves’ Disease – is an autoimmune disorder caused by the overproduction of thyroid hormones and leads to hyperthyroidism.
  5. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis – is an autoimmune disease whereby the body attacks its own thyroid gland, resulting in many problems such as inflammation, weight gain and cold intolerance.

What Can Cause the Thyroid to Malfunction?

Sometimes the cause is unknown, but common contributing factors include:

  • Autoimmunity – when the body produces antibodies that attack your own organs, glands and tissues it can disrupt the thyroid leading to one of the disorders listed above. This can be hereditary or as a result of certain bacteria or viruses.
  • Congenital causes – sometimes babies are born with an underdeveloped or missing thyroid gland.
  • Medications or treatments – certain medications or treatments such as lithium or radiation can cause the thyroid to malfunction.
  • Iodine levels – taking in too little or too much iodine can interfere with thyroid function.
  • Certain substances such as red dye (no. 3), processed meat or certain chemicals (like perfluorochemicals) can cause thyroid disruption or even thyroid cancer.
  • Benign or malignant tumors can block the thyroid or lead to cancer of the thyroid.
  • Pregnancy – According to the Mayo Clinic, in rare instances pregnant women develop antibodies to their thyroid gland during or post pregnancy, resulting in hypothyroidism (this should be addressed immediately if it happens during the pregnancy as it can cause harm to the baby).
  • Pituitary glad malfunction – when the pituitary gland fails to produce enough thyroid-stimulating hormone it can cause thyroid conditions.

Well, there you have some of the major types and causes of thyroid dysfunction! Thanks for visiting DocChat. If you have any medical concerns, our board-certified physicians are standing by 24/7/365 to assist you!

A Look at Childhood Obesity

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Childhood obesity rates have been steadily climbing over the past few decades which bodes ill for the future health status of our children. Let’s take a look at some of the facts:

  1. From 1980 to 2012, the percentage of children under 12 who were obese rocketed from 7% to 18%.
  2. In 2013 over 42 million children in the world were obese.
  3. Approximately 70% of obese children already have one or more heart disease risk factors such as high cholesterol or blood pressure.
  4. Obese children are more prone to such health complications as joint problems, sleep conditions and psychological issues such as low self-esteem.
  5. Obese children are at greater risk of developing prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
  6. The number of children with type 2 diabetes has risen 5% of all newly diagnosed cases in 1994 to approximately 20% of newly diagnosed cases today.
  7. Studies show that obese toddlers and children are more likely to be obese as adults
  8. Schools can help reduce the rates of childhood obesity by implementing policies like mandatory fitness classes, health lessons that teach about the dangers of obesity as well as serving healthier lunches.

Tips for Parents to Help Curb Childhood Obesity

While schools can help prevent or reduce childhood obesity, parents can have the most influence. Here are some tips for parents to help their child maintain a healthy weight:

  1. Make steps toward a healthy diet for your whole family – try to cut out or drastically reduce intake of high fat snacks like chips, bars and cookies, and stock up on fruits and veggies. Also try to introduce more healthy protein like meat, beans and whole grains, limit sodium, reduce portion sizes and encourage everyone to drink more water.
  2. Use substitutions to make favorite family dishes healthier.
  3. Promote physical activity by exercising as a family.
  4. Encourage your children to participate in extra curricular sports like karate or tennis.
  5. Send your children outside to play with friends – children should get approximately an hour of physical activity daily.
  6. Set a technology time limit for your family – there is a strong link between too much screen time and childhood obesity.

Thanks for visiting DocChat!

Unbelievable Medical Conditions (Part 2)

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We have explored many common conditions such as cardiovascular disease or asthma, but for this post we wanted to delve into some of the lesser known and more mysterious conditions that exist. Awareness promotes understanding and acceptance over ignorance, which is key for rare disorders that are often misunderstood by others. In Part 1 we looked at elephantiasis, musicogenic epilepsy, bibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva and Brain-Eating Amoeba, now for the last 3 on our list:

  1. Trimethylaminuria  

    Also know as fish odor syndrome, it is a rare genetic metabolic condition whereby nitrogen-containing compounds (like the fishy-smelling trimethylamine) aren’t able to be properly broken down by the body. Because of this, trimethylamine builds up in the system and causes a highly unpleasant, strong fishy odor to emit from the person’s sweat, urine and breath. This strong odor is the only medical consequence of the disorder, otherwise the person is likely strong and healthy. It can be an extremely embarrassing and unpleasant condition, often causing interpersonal problems and self esteem issues. There is no cure for the disorder, but there are certain steps a person can take to modify or lessen the smell such as avoiding certain foods, using certain soaps and taking specific medications or supplements the doctor may prescribe.

  2. Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis (EV)  

    EV is an uncommon genetic autosomal recessive skin disease that causes large wart-like growths on patches, or all over the body that display the appearance and texture of tree bark. The warts usually appear at some point during childhood. These warts are a product of an abnormal reaction to specific strain of human papilloma virus (HPV). As with certain other types of HPV, this type can lead to the warts becoming cancerous, usually later in life. Unfortunately, EV is a lifelong disease and there is no cure currently available.

  3. Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome

    KT syndrome is a disorder that causes abnormal soft tissue and bone growth, dark red blotches (called port-wine stains) on the skin, as well as twisted varicose veins. Bone overgrowth causes one limb to be larger and more cumbersome and painful than the others which can lead to mobility impairment. This condition can largely alter the appearance as well as cause other more serious complications such as internal bleeding or lymphedema.

Of course these are only a few of the hundreds of rare and misunderstood conditions, but they may help shed light on some of the unique and rare limitations placed upon some people. Thanks for visiting DocChat! If you have any medical questions, our qualified, board certified DocChat physicians are around 24/7/365.

 

 

Gout Fast Facts

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Gout is an excruciatingly painful form of inflammatory arthritis caused intermittently by excess uric acid buildup in the body.

Facts About Gouty Arthritis

  • Approximately 1 in 200 American adults is afflicted by gout.
  • Approximately 9 out of 10 gout sufferers are adult males.
  • How does gout work? Uric acid spikes (hyperuricemia) or uric acid buildup sometimes causes acidic crystals to form in the affected joint.
  • These uric acid crystal deposits are called tophi, and make the skin around the joint look lumpy.
  • Not all people with hyperuricemia develop gout – only if the excess uric acid causes crystals to form.
  • Uric acid is derived from the body’s absorption of purines (substances found within bodily tissues and in many foods we eat). Therefor, ingesting foods high in purines may bring on an attack of gout.
  • Gout attacks usually originate in the base joint of the big toe, but can occur in other joints such as the ankles, foot arches, wrists or knees (usually occurring in one joint at a time).
  • Symptoms of gout include: redness, swelling, agonizing pain, a bumpy appearance, warmth, significant stiffness and inability to bear weight.
  • Gout risk factors include: being of male gender, being overweight or obese, consuming too much alcohol, consuming too many purine-rich foods, taking certain medications or supplements such as diuretics or niacin, or having certain other health conditions such as high blood pressure or other forms of arthritis.
  • Gout affects different sufferers differently, attacks may occur months or years apart, or much more frequently. Treatment depends on the frequency and severity of attacks.
  • Gout attacks usually occur for 3-11 days, but some may be longer. While some people don’t experience a subsequent attack, up to 60% of sufferers will have another attack within a year.
  • Some sufferers who sustain uric acid elevation have a chronic form of the disease and require daily medication to prevent frequent attacks.
  • Some foods for gout sufferers to avoid include: high-fructose drinks such as soda, too much alcohol and purine rich foods. Sufferers should also be careful not to injure problematic joints.
  • Gout treatment varies per patient, but often includes anti-inflammatories to control swelling, corticosteroids as well as Colchicine (a plant-based medication that has been used to control gout for hundreds of years). In chronic cases, a daily uric-acid-reducing medication such as Allopurinol.
  • Other tips for those suffering an attack include: lower your stress (it aggravates the condition), rest, modify your diet to include anti inflammatory and low purine foods, apply ice to the area if possible and stay well hydrated (this can help lower uric acid).
  • Lastly, those who are prone to gout should consider adding tart cherries to their daily diet, as the medicinal properties of cherries for gout have been time (and research) proven. Read more about tart cherries and gout in our post about anti inflammatory foods.

Thanks for visiting DocChat! If you have any questions about gout or arthritis, our board certified doctors are standing by 24/7/365 to help!

A Peek at Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis)

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Conjunctivitis (commonly known as ‘pinkeye’), is a condition whereby the thin layer covering the white of the eye and the tissue in the eyelid becomes inflamed. Conjunctivitis can have several different episodic causes, or can be a recurrent symptom of a larger underlying condition.

What Causes Acute Conjunctivitis?

There are various potential causes of pinkeye, some of which are contagious and some are not. Causes of isolated cases of pinkeye include:

  • Bacterial infection – common among small children (usually daycare and primary school aged), pinkeye infection is very contagious, often spreading through groups of children rapidly. It is caused by harmful bacteria such as E. Coli which a child may come in contact with and accidentally introduce to their eye causing an infection.
  • Viral conjunctivitis – causes similar symptoms of bacterial pinkeye but may last a little longer and cannot be helped by antibiotics. It usually affects people of all ages.
  • Irritant–based conjunctivitis – when a foreign object like a contact lens or chemical substance (such as shampoo) is introduced to the eye it can cause a type of reaction resulting in conjunctivitis.

What Health Conditions Are Associated with Conjunctivitis? 

Sometimes conjunctivitis is caused by, or associated with other health conditions. Some health conditions that may cause recurrent conjunctivitis include:

  • Allergies
  • Autoimmune disease
  • Dry eye
  • Certain types of arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis)
  • Inflammatory bowel diseases
  • Untreated sexually transmitted diseases
  • Rocky mountain spotted fever (RMSF)

What Are The Symptoms?

Symptoms of conjunctivitis may vary depending on the cause, but most often it causes:

  • Itching
  • Discomfort or pain
  • Redness and irritation
  • Bloodshot eyes
  • Crusty discharge
  • Unusually watery eyes
  • Minor swelling

What is the treatment?

Some types of pinkeye can be treated and others cannot. If the infection is bacterial antibiotics or drops may be given in moderate cases. In the case of dry eye or allergies an optometrist can prescribe special drops based on your condition. In cases of chronic inflammatory illnesses that cause pinkeye, your doctor may change up your medication or prescribe steroid drops for the eyes. Be careful about using OTC eye drops, as some types contain ingredients that actually irritate the eye more.

Pinkeye Prevention

To prevent contracting contagious viral or bacterial pinkeye you should maintain good hygiene and avoid touching your face in public areas where contaminants are all around. Wash hands or sanitize before eating or touching your face and encourage your child to do so as well. Do not share makeup, and be sure to replace eye make up every few months to avoid old bacteria entering your eye. Wash pillowcases in hot water and detergent to ensure they are bacteria free. You should also wash your eye out right away if you get something harmful in it.

 

If you have any questions or concerns about pinkeye, don’t hesitate to sign up today to start a video consultation with one of our highly qualified DocChat physicians. Thanks for visiting!

Children Can Develop Arthritis Too

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According to the Arthritis Foundation, “Juvenile arthritis is an umbrella term used to describe the many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions or pediatric rheumatic diseases that can develop in children under the age of 16.” While people often don’t think children are susceptible to arthritis, the actuality is that over 300,000 American children develop an arthritic condition annually.

An All-Encompassing Affliction

Juvenile arthritis (JA) can present in many ways, sometimes affecting the entire body including eyes, skin, joints, muscles, and stomach.

Common Types of Juvenile Arthritis

Some of the most common types of JA fall under the category (JIA) juvenile idiopathic arthritis which encompasses psoriatic arthritis, oligoarthritis, polyarthritis, undifferentiated systemic and enthesitis-related arthritis. Other common forms are juvenile lupus, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and juvenile dermatomyositis. Another, rarer form of JA is Kawasaki disease which affects the arteries and blood vessels. Unlike some of the idiopathic varieties, children with Kawasaki disease can recover with appropriate treatment and not have future issues or complications. There are others as well, but these are the most prevalent forms.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out For

Believing their child to just be going through ‘growing pains’, many parents may miss the signs of JA. Juvenile arthritis may not present exactly like adult-onset arthritis. Some children don’t have straightforward joint pain and inflammation, and each of the different JA conditions may cause different symptoms. But some of the common signs and indicators that your child may be silently suffering from arthritis could include:

  • Unexplained and recurring fevers
  • Limping or favoring or certain limbs
  • If the child is very young they may whine and cry when moving or walking
  • Redness and swelling of one or more joints
  • Recurring eye problems such as conjunctivitis
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Limited range of motion in legs or shoulders
  • Rashes
  • Weight loss
  • Pain that goes beyond simple ‘growing pains’, perhaps in different areas such as the back, ribcage, or multiple smaller joints

Many of these symptoms can be attributed to other conditions when standing alone, but if you notice many of these occurring together it is worth checking into JA. Also, there are many other symptoms that may be arthritis type specific, so read more about each different condition under the JA umbrella here.

Treatment and Prognosis

While there is no cure for JA, early detection can allow for the correct treatments which can alleviate many of the symptoms and help with quality of life and prognosis. Many arthritis medications are too strong or would be dangerous for children, but there are treatments available to help control the child’s inflammation and pain such as certain NSAIDs. Sometimes certain disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) may be used to help slow the progression of arthritis. Sometimes corticosteroids are used, but these have pretty severe side effects and are most often the last option used especially for children. Medications are often used in conjunction with lifestyle changes, routine check-ups and management plans that may include certain exercises.

Thanks for visiting DocChat! If you have any concerns about your child or questions about juvenile arthritis, feel free to sign up today for a video consultation with one of our highly qualified DocChat physicians.

5 Less Common Types Of Arthritis

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According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arthritis encompasses over 100 different rheumatic diseases and conditions, affecting nearly 1 in 5 American adults. The three most prevalent types of arthritis that account for most cases are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Some of the less common, but equally as troublesome forms of arthritic conditions are:

         1. Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory condition that predominantly affects the vertebrae of the spine, sometimes fusing them together creating chronic pain and swelling. The condition usually comes on in early adulthood and is more prevalent among males. It can also affect the hips, ribcage, breastbone, tendons in shoulders or heels, and the eyes. Medical science has discovered that people with the HLA-B27 gene may have a genetic vulnerability to developing the disease. If symptoms are present, doctors often do bloodwork and x-rays to help diagnose the condition.

  1. Palindromic Rheumatism

Palindromic rheumatism (PR) is a rare type of cyclical inflammatory arthritis (symptoms come and go) that often turns into rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Both conditions have many similarities, but RA causes lasting joint damage, whereas PR does not. It is equally as prevalent between males and females, and usually starts in early to mid adulthood. PR consists of periods of symptom-free lulls, and periods of days, weeks or months where 2-3 joints will become inflamed and painful, as well as the surrounding connective tissue. No one laboratory test can diagnose this condition, but may help rule out others. Treatment usually consists of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) or antimalarials.

  1. Reactive Arthritis

Reactive arthritis is usually the result of an infection that changes the body’s ability to defend itself against other infections or environmental factors. It can be a one-time occurrence causing joint inflammation for a period of days or weeks before subsiding organically, or it can become a chronic form of arthritis that may require treatment and managing by a rheumatologist or another arthritis specialist. Reactive arthritis can affect multiple joints, causing significant pain and swelling.

  1. Scleroderma

Scleroderma is another disease that crosses over between an arthritic condition and autoimmune disease. It works by hardening the skin and the organs, which creates many inflammatory and pain problems within the body. Scleroderma affects the skin, connective tissue and organs and can be quite debilitating and pervasive. As with many autoimmune diseases, there is no cure but different medications are available to help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. Only about 500,000 American people are afflicted by Scleroderma, and while it isn’t technically a genetic disease, it tends to be more prevalent within certain family pools.

There you have a few lesser known arthritic conditions! Keep and eye out for more less known types of arthritis in the future. If you suffer from these diseases or have any questions about arthritis in general feel free to sign up to DocChat today to begin a video consultation with one of our highly qualified physicians! Thanks for visiting, we hope you’ll be back soon.