Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects joints but also eyes, lungs, and other body systems. RA can increase the risk of osteoporosis, leading to bone loss and weakness. RA medications can cause skin sensitivity to sunlight, so sun protection is important. Some people use the term ‘rheumatism’ to describe aches and pains. It may refer to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Learn more here. Rheumatism is a blanket term for more than 200 painful medical conditions that cause the inflammation of joints, bones, cartilage, and soft tissue. If you've recently been diagnosed with a rheumatic disease, you aren't alone — at least a... Rheumatism: Are Arthritis and Rheumatism the Same Thing? Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of arthritis that is often categorized as a form of rheumatism. Rheumatism is a term that was used in the past to describe a variety of conditions that have similar symptoms. Today, doctors arrive at more specific diagnoses of the rheumatic diseases and do not use the term rheumatism as a diagnosis, but rather as a description for a group of similar conditions.
