Proper functioning and support of your muscular and skeletal system is essential to everyday living. The muscles, bones, joints and other related tissues are responsible for movement and keeping you from collapsing into a giant pile of flesh. A number of diseases can affect the skeletal system that can cause pain, weakness and deterioration.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an illness that affects the joints of the skeletal system. It can cause joint deformities and bone deterioration as it gradually progresses. Information on rheumatoid arthritis by the Mayo Clinic says that rheumatoid arthritis is a type of autoimmune disease that results in the body trying to attack and destroy its own tissue. With rheumatoid arthritis, the body typically attacks joints and tissue in your hands and feet. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) says that rheumatoid arthritis has numerous characteristics that distinguish it from other forms of arthritis. One example is that the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis typically happens symmetrically, meaning that if one particular extremity is involved, the one on the opposite side will be as well. Rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the joints in the wrist and in the fingers that are nearest to the hand. Some symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include fatigue, infrequent fevers and a general sense of feeling unwell.
Bursitis
According to NIAMS, bursitis is a common illness that involves an inflammation of the soft tissue that surrounds the bones and muscles. Most often, this inflammation can be experienced in the shoulder, wrist, elbow, ankle, knee or hip. Common causes of bursitis include repetitive positions or motions that aggravate the bursae--small fluid-filled pads that act as cushions between your bones and the tendons and other muscles near your joints. Activities such as leaning or putting constant pressure on your elbows for extended periods at a time, prolonged kneeling and extended sitting can all cause bursitis. Certain occupations and activities put you more at risk for developing bursitis. Of these, include carpet-laying, sports such as baseball and cycling, tile setting and ice skating. Treatment of bursitis is generally simple and involves resting and immobilizing the affected area, applying ice to reduce swelling and taking anti-inflammatory drugs.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is an illness that affects the skeletal system and causes bones to become brittle. Osteoporosis may go undetected until bone density testing is done. The Mayo Clinic reports that with osteoporosis, as your body breaks down old bone, it does not replace it with equally strong bone. Instead, the bone replacement process becomes disrupted and eventually the new bone becomes less dense causing them to become weak and fragile. One complication from osteoporosis can involve a hip fracture. The Mayo Clinic says that a fracture of the hip usually results from falling on the already brittle hip bone. Even though most people can recover fairly well with surgical treatment, a hip fracture can still cause disability or even death from postoperative complications. This is especially true in the elderly. You can prevent osteoporosis from happening by taking in enough calcium, remaining smoke-free and exercising.
