1. Rheumatic Disorders

2. What are rheumatic disorders
When the immune system gets confused, it attacks and targets normal tissue = autoimmune disorder
Caused by heredity and environmental factors
Refer to a rheumatologist

3. Osteoarthritis AKA OA or degenerative joint disease
May also be caused by trauma
Wearing down of articular and other cartilage
Joint pain
hands, neck, low back, and hips

4. Rheumatic Arthritis
AKA RA or atrophic arthritis

5. Lupus
9 out of 10 are female

6. Ankylosing Spondylitis
Cervical, lumbar, lumbosacral regions and rib articulations most commonly affected
No known cause – may be genetic

7. Sjogren’s (SHOW – grin) Syndrome
Causes dry eyes, dry mouth and difficulty swallowing
Most common in women over 40 years of age