What is a Rheumatologist?

A rheumatology doctor is a medical professional who specializes in the field of rheumatology. Rheumatology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions that affect the joints, muscles, and bones. These conditions are often referred to as rheumatic diseases.

In simpler terms, a rheumatologist is a doctor who helps people with problems related to their joints and bones. This can include conditions like arthritis, which causes joint pain and stiffness, or other disorders that affect the musculoskeletal system. Rheumatologists use their expertise to diagnose these conditions, prescribe appropriate treatments, and help manage the symptoms to improve the patient’s quality of life.

Types of Condition Rheumatologist Diagnose and Treat

A rheumatologist diagnoses and treats various rheumatic diseases and conditions, which include:

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Lupus
Osteoarthritis
Gout
Psoriatic Arthritis
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Sjogren’s Syndrome
Fibromyalgia

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system of the person’s body mistakenly attacks his own body’s tissues. This causes inflammation and pain throughout the body. Symptoms include joint swelling, joint stiffness, and fatigue.

Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

Lupus is a chronic (lifelong) autoimmune disease that can affect various organs, including joints, skin, brain, kidneys, and blood cells. Common symptoms include joint pain, skin rashes, and fatigue.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a very common form of arthritis, a condition that affects any joints of the body. It is mainly caused by wear and tear on joints over time. It is most likely to affect joints such as those in the hands, knees, and feet. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of flexibility over joints.

Gout

Gout is a common and the most painful form of inflammatory arthritis, which is caused by the accumulation of urate (high levels of uric acid) crystals in joints. Symptoms include sudden, intense joint pain, often in the big toe.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that mainly occurs in those who already have psoriasis (a chronic skin condition). The most common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness, skin rashes, eye inflammation, and swollen fingers and toes.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that mainly affects your back by causing inflammation in the joints of your spine. Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include hip pain, back, and neck pain.

Sjogren’s Syndrome

Sjogren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder caused by the immune system attacking and damaging the glands that produce moisture in the body. The two most common symptoms are dry eyes and a dry mouth.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic (lifelong) disorder that causes muscle and joint pain all over the body, along with tiredness. The main symptoms of fibromyalgia are widespread pain, tenderness, and fatigue. Some common symptoms that Rheumatology specialists like Dr. Seema Malani look for include sleep disturbance, headaches, and difficulty concentrating, often referred to as “fibro fog.”