RHEUMATOLOGIST

What is Rheumatology?

Rheumatology is a medical specialty focused on diagnosing and treating rheumatic diseases — conditions that affect joints, muscles, bones, and sometimes internal organs. These diseases often involve inflammation, autoimmune reactions, and chronic pain.

What Does a Rheumatologist Do?

Diagnoses and manages autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Helps control symptoms like joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and fatigue.

Uses medications like anti-inflammatories, steroids, immunosuppressants, and biologics.

Works with patients on lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and monitoring disease progression.

Common Conditions Treated by Rheumatologists:

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Chronic autoimmune arthritis causing joint inflammation, pain, and damage.

Treatment: DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs), biologics, steroids.

2. Osteoarthritis (OA)

Degenerative joint disease causing cartilage breakdown.

Treatment: Pain relief, physical therapy, sometimes joint injections or surgery.

3. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Autoimmune disease affecting skin, joints, kidneys, and other organs.

Treatment: Immunosuppressants, steroids, lifestyle management.

4. Ankylosing Spondylitis

Inflammatory arthritis affecting the spine.

Treatment: NSAIDs, biologics, physical therapy.

5. Gout

Sudden attacks of severe joint pain due to uric acid crystal buildup.

Treatment: Pain relief, medications to lower uric acid.

6. Sjögren’s Syndrome

Autoimmune disease causing dry eyes and mouth.

Treatment: Symptom relief, immunosuppressants.

7. Vasculitis

Inflammation of blood vessels.

Treatment: Steroids and immunosuppressive drugs.