Follow me on :
1. What is a rheumatologist?
A rheumatologist is a board-certified internist or pediatrician who is qualified by additional training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones.
2. What kind of training do rheumatologists have?
After four years of medical school and three years of training in either internal medicine or pediatrics, rheumatologists devote an additional two to three years in specialized rheumatology training. Most rheumatologists who plan to treat patients choose to become board certified. Upon completion of their training, they must pass a rigorous exam conducted by the American Board of Internal Medicine to become certified.
3. What do rheumatologists treat?
There are more than 100 types of rheumatologic diseases, including:
4. When should you see a rheumatologist?
Sometimes, pain in the joints, muscles, or bones is severe or persists for more than a few days. At that point, you should see your physician.
Many types of rheumatic diseases are not easily identified in the early stages. Rheumatologists are specially trained to do the detective work necessary to discover the cause of swelling and pain. It's important to determine a correct diagnosis early so that appropriate treatment can begin early. Some musculoskeletal disorders respond best to treatment in the early stages of the disease.
These diseases often change or evolve over time. Rheumatologists work closely with patients to identify the problem and design an individualized treatment program.
5.What diseases do rheumatologists diagnose?
These diseases can also affect the eyes, skin, nervous system, and internal organs. Rheumatologists treat joint disease similar to orthopedists but do not perform surgeries. Common diseases treated by rheumatologists include osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic back pain, tendinitis, and lupus.
6. What are the symptoms of rheumatic disease?
Symptoms:
7. What are first signs of rheumatoid arthritis?
What are early signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and what areas of the body are affected?
8. What's the difference between arthritis and rheumatism?
Medical professionals no longer use the word "rheumatism," but it remains in general language, there is no real difference between rheumatism and arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of autoimmune disease (where the body attacks its own cells). ... Over 300,000 children live with arthritis in the United States.
9. How is rheumatic disease treated?
Treatment for Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases in Children
10. How do you know if you have rheumatism?
Diagnosis. Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose in its early stages because the early signs and symptoms mimic those of many other diseases. There is no one blood test or physical finding to confirm the diagnosis. During the physical exam, your doctor will check your joints for swelling, redness and warmth ...
11. What kind of tests does a rheumatologist do?
The following blood tests are commonly performed to detect or evaluate rheumatologic disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis) and types of arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout and ankylosing spondylitis).
12. What age does arthritis usually start?
What happens: This type of arthritis usually starts between ages 30 and 50, but it can start as early as childhood. It's equally common among men and women.
13. What is end stage rheumatoid arthritis?
End-stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an advanced stage of disease in which there is severe joint damage and destruction in the absence of ongoing inflammation.
14. Can you die from rheumatism?
A new study continues to show that patients with RA face increased mortality rates, but fewer of these deaths are from heart disease. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can face a higher risk of premature death as well as serious complications if the inflammation resulting from RA isn't well-controlled.
15. What conditions do rheumatologists treat?
Rheumatologists have particular skills in the evaluation of the over 100 forms of arthritis and have special interest in rheumatoid arthritis, spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, Still's disease, dermatomyositis, Sjögren's syndrome, vasculitis, scleroderma ...
