Anyone who does not know what the rheumatologist is treating, should remember that this is a specialist engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatological diseases. The duties of such a doctor include also the identification of patients at risk, showing preventive measures that reduce the possibility of developing a serious disease.
Rheumatology - what is it?
Before you begin to get acquainted with the duties of a rheumatologist, you should know what rheumatology in general is. Rheumatology is a branch of internal medicine that studies degenerative-dystrophic, inflammatory joint diseases, systemic connective tissue diseases. At the heart of pathogenesis of diseases can be not only inflammatory, but also immune mechanisms. Rheumatology closely cooperates with other branches of medicine:
- traumatology;
- orthopedics,
- purulent-septic, vascular surgery;
- endocrinology;
- hematology;
- nephrology;
- cardiology;
- infectology;
- oncology;
- Toxicology;
- immunology;
- neuralgia;
- neurosurgery.
Rheumatologist - who is this and what heals?
The term "rheumatism" was once introduced by the ancient doctor Claudius Galen, who thus designated the diseases of the musculoskeletal system. But the independent division of medicine, this direction was only in the late 20 th century. Today, a rheumatologist is a specialist whose responsibilities include diseases caused by degenerative-dystrophic and inflammatory changes in the joints, systemic pathologies of connective tissue, autoimmune factors.
Rheumatologist - what heals for adults?
Most people are familiar only with a limited range of diseases, which should be referred to a rheumatologist. Diagnosis is complicated by the fact that many diseases occur with similar symptoms. Because of the diffuse symptoms, rheumatological diseases are often treated by specialists from related industries. To understand - an adult-rheumatologist - who it is - you need to find out with what diseases it works. What does rheumatologist treat adults:
- Very often an adult rheumatologist helps people with osteoarthritis , which reduce the motor activity of the elderly.
- Rheumatologist patients are also people with rheumatoid arthritis, which can begin at a young age and significantly worsen in the elderly.
- Rheumatologist also deals with the treatment of patients with Bechterew's disease, gouty and rheumatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, the danger of which is the rapid development of ankylosis (joint immobility).
- Gout is a serious disease that develops as a result of an increase in the level of uric acid in the blood, which causes joints in the elderly and middle-aged people to swell painfully.
- Systemic scleroderma is a systemic sclerosis caused by inflammation of small vessels of the body, which causes fibro-sclerotic changes in bones, muscles, skin and internal organs.
- Together with other specialists, rheumatologists treat vasculitis, systemic collagenoses.
What is a rheumatologist treating in children?
Along with an adult, in many medical institutions there is a children's rheumatologist. The specialist of such a profile is very important, as children's rheumatological diseases are very aggressive and require serious study and lifelong therapy. According to WHO statistics, the number of sick children is constantly increasing every year. What the rheumatologist treats in patients of childhood:
- juvenile rheumatoid arthritis;
- reactive arthropathy;
- Bechterew's disease;
- scleroderma;
- nodular polyarthritis;
- dermatopolymiosis.
When to contact a rheumatologist?
Since some rheumatic diseases are prone to reactive development and almost all of them lead to disability, you should know when to contact a rheumatologist:
- With the observed daily morning stiffness of the joints, which manifests itself in difficulty or impossibility to bend the knees or hands in the elbow joints. Such symptoms of osteoarthritis go through 30-40 minutes, but after a day's sleep can manifest again.
- When swelling or swelling of the joint - this symptom is manifested with arthritis.
- With soreness in the joint, which can bother constantly or appear in the evening. Pain indicates the onset of the inflammatory process and the destruction of the joint.
- With soreness that occurs with lateral contractions of the feet and hands.
How is a rheumatologist's appointment?
At the primary reception of a rheumatologist, people often come to know that a rheumatologist is treating and has experienced some symptoms of rheumatological diseases. After the examination and comprehensive examination, the doctor will prescribe a therapy designed to reduce the inflammatory process, remove or reduce pain (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers), repair damaged joints (massage, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, simulators).
How is the examination from a rheumatologist?
At external survey the doctor-rheumatologist at first draws attention to a condition of joints - whether there is a tumescence, an edema, morbidity. Depending on the location of the inflamed joints, it is possible to draw conclusions about the stage of the disease - the larger the joints are affected, the more serious possible damages. In addition, the doctor pays attention to the symmetry of the affected joints - this is one of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Analyzes in rheumatology
To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes blood tests. Rheumatologist - what tests of blood will be required:
- biochemical analysis;
- on C-reactive protein;
- on ESR;
- on rheumatoid factor (or synovial fluid research);
- on antinuclear and anti-citrulline antibodies.
Consultation of rheumatologist
Reception of a rheumatologist may include listening to the lungs and the heart, as rheumatological diseases with a very high degree of probability cause damage to these organs. Very often, with rheumatological diseases, muscle weakness or dystrophy is also observed. In such cases it is recommended to consult the relevant specialists. For a more objective assessment, the doctor prescribes diagnostic examinations:
- electrocardiogram ;
- electromyogram;
- X-ray examination;
- computed tomography ;
- ultrasonography;
- densitometry .
Rheumatologist's advice
That the life of the patient does not turn into torture, it is necessary to know the factors that worsen the condition of people with rheumatological diseases. These factors include: excessive loads, excess weight, trauma, inadequate motor activity, elderly age, heredity.
In addition to the prescribed drug therapy, a patient with a rheumatological disease, it is important to follow the advice of a rheumatologist for pain in the joints:
- It is necessary to be careful at work and at home and to avoid injuries that impair the health of the musculoskeletal system.
- It is very important to keep the motor activity, but without fanaticism.
- It is necessary to get rid of extra pounds - this is an additional burden.
- It is important to eat properly - it is necessary to preserve the integrity of joints as long as possible.