DR SUMIDHA MITTAL

Who is a rheumatologist?

A rheumatologist is a specialist doctor who diagnoses and treats arthritis, other musculoskeletal conditions and autoimmune diseases.

What does a rheumatology doctor treat?

Rheumatologists treat more than hundred types of rheumatologic diseases, including:

• osteoarthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• musculoskeletal pain disorders
• osteoporosis
• gout
• back pain
• myositis
• fibromyalgia
• tendonitis
• vasculitis
• certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, scleroderma, antiphospholipid syndrome.

When should you go to a rheumatologist?

• You should visit a rheumatologist when you suffer from the following symptoms:
• Pain, especially muscle pain
• Stiffness, especially in the morning
• Swelling
• Warmth and redness and tenderness
• Difficulty using the joint normally
• Fatigue
• Eye inflammation or infections
• Rashes and sores
• Pain in the neck, spine, or back
• Difficulty taking a deep breath

What kind of tests does a rheumatologist do?

Antibody tests for autoimmune disorders are often necessary to detect rheumatologic diseases. The most popular tests used by rheumatologists are:

• Complete blood count
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test
• Rheumatoid factor test
• Uric acid test

What are the first signs of rheumatoid arthritis?

Early signs of rheumatoid arthritis are fatigue, slight fever, weight loss, stiffness, joint tenderness, joint pain, joint swelling and redness, joint warmth, numbness and tingling, a decrease in range of motion, and joints affected on both sides.