何謂類風濕性關節炎？ 類風濕性關節炎 是一種慢性（長期）疾病，大多數情況下影響關節，例如腕關節、手、腳、脊柱、膝蓋和下頜。類風濕性關節炎造成的炎症可導致關節： 疼痛。 腫脹。 僵直。 喪失功能。 因為是免疫系統攻擊健康的關節組織，類風濕性關節炎是一種自身免疫性疾病。正常情況下，免疫系統幫助保護身體免於發生感染和疾病。 類風濕性關節炎可能讓您感覺異常疲倦，偶爾會發燒，而且食欲下降。類風濕性關節炎還可能造成心、肺、血液、神經、眼睛和皮膚的其他醫療問題。 治療可以幫助患者過上充實的生活。

何謂系統性紅斑狼瘡（狼瘡）？ 系統性紅斑狼瘡（狼瘡）是一種慢性（長期）自身免疫性疾病，可影響多個身體部位，包括： 皮膚。 關節。 心臟。 肺。 腎臟。 大腦。 在正常情況下，免疫系統會幫助保護身體免於發生感染和疾病。但當發生狼瘡時，免疫系統攻擊自身組織。這樣的攻擊會造成炎症，而且在某些情況下會造成永久性的組織損傷。 如果您患有狼瘡，則您可能有時候發病（急性發作），有時候健康（緩解）。狼瘡急性發作時的程度可輕可重，而且也沒有一定的規律。但如果接受治療，許多狼瘡患者可以管理這一疾病。

何謂骨關節炎？ 骨關節炎是一種關節疾病，是指關節內的組織隨著時間的推移而分解。這是最常見的關節炎類型，而且更常見於年長者。 骨關節炎患者通常有關節疼痛，而且在休息之後有短時間的關節僵直（難以移動）。最常累及的關節包括： 手（手指末端和拇指的起點和末端）。 膝蓋。 髖部。 頸部。 腰部。 骨關節炎對每個人的影響都有所不同。對有些人來說，骨關節炎不影響日常活動。而對其他人而言，骨關節炎會造成劇烈疼痛和殘障。

何謂異位性皮膚炎？ 異位性皮膚炎通常稱為濕疹。這是一種慢性（長期）疾病，造成皮膚炎症和刺激症狀，導致極度瘙癢。抓撓會引起： 發紅。 腫脹。 皸裂。 滲出透明液體。 結痂。 脫皮。 在大多數情況下，有時病情惡化（稱為急性發作），然後皮膚情況有所改善或症狀完全消失（稱為緩解）。 異位性皮膚炎是一種常見病症，任何人都可能患上。但異位性皮膚炎通常是在兒童期開始出現。異位性皮膚炎不會從一個人傳給另一個人。沒有人知道異位性皮膚炎的病因是什麼。根據症狀的嚴重程度，異位性皮膚炎患者的生活可能並不容易，但治療可幫助控制症狀。

What is alopecia areata? Alopecia areata is a disease that causes hair loss. In alopecia areata, the immune system attacks the structures in skin that form hair (hair follicles). Alopecia areata usually affects the head and face, though hair can be lost from any part of the body. Hair typically falls out in small, round patches about the size of a quarter. In some cases, hair loss is more extensive.

What is Paget’s disease? Paget’s disease of bone is a chronic (long-lasting) disorder that causes bones to grow larger and become weaker than normal. Usually only one or a few bones have the disease. Many people with Paget’s disease do not have symptoms. However, the bone changes can cause: Bone pain. Misshapen bones. Broken bones (fractures). Problems in the joints near the bones with the disease. With treatment, many people can: Manage their symptoms. Improve pain. Control the effects of the disease.

What is osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that happens when the tissues in the joint break down over time. It is the most common type of arthritis and is more common in older people. People with osteoarthritis usually have joint pain and, after rest, stiffness (inability to move easily) for a short period of time. The most commonly affected joints include the: Hands (ends of the fingers and at the base and ends of the thumbs). Knees. Hips. Neck. Lower back. Osteoarthritis affects each person differently. For some people, osteoarthritis does not affect day-to-day activities. For others, it causes

What is atopic dermatitis? Atopic dermatitis, often called eczema, is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that causes the skin to become inflamed and irritated, making it extremely itchy. Scratching leads to: Redness. Swelling. Cracking. “Weeping” clear fluid. Crusting. Scaling. In most cases, there are times when the disease is worse, called flares, followed by times when the skin improves or clears up entirely, called remissions. Atopic dermatitis is a common condition, and anyone can get the disease. However, it usually begins in childhood. Atopic dermatitis cannot be spread from person to person. No one knows what causes atopic dermatitis. Depending on

What is systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus)? Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body, including the: Skin. Joints. Heart. Lungs. Kidneys. Brain. Lupus happens when the immune system, which normally helps protect the body from infection and disease, attacks its own tissues. This attack causes inflammation and, in some cases, permanent tissue damage. If you have lupus, you may have times of illness (flares) and times of wellness (remission). Lupus flares can be mild to serious, and they do not follow a pattern. However, with treatment, many people with lupus

What is ichthyosis? Ichthyosis is a group of skin disorders. It leads to dry, itchy skin that appears scaly, rough, and red. The symptoms can range from mild to severe. Ichthyosis can affect only the skin, but sometimes the disease can affect internal organs, too.

What is arthritis? "Arthritis" literally means joint inflammation. Although joint inflammation is a symptom or sign rather than a specific diagnosis, the term arthritis is often used to refer to any disorder that affects the joints. Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee. There are different types of arthritis. In some diseases in which arthritis occurs, other organs, such as your eyes, heart, or skin, can also be affected. Fortunately, current treatments allow most people with arthritis to lead active and productive lives.

What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that mostly affects joints, such as the wrist, hands, feet, spine, knees, and jaw. In joints, RA causes inflammation that leads to: Pain. Swelling Stiffness. Loss of function. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder because the immune system attacks the healthy joint tissues. Normally, the immune system helps protect the body from infection and disease. RA may cause you to feel unusually tired, to have occasional fevers, and to have a loss of appetite. It also may cause other medical problems in the heart, lungs, blood, nerves, eyes