Rheumatologist - who is it and what does it do? This is a doctor specializing in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the joints and connective tissue. The main ailments he deals with are arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatism and gout. Our article is dedicated to the question: “Rheumatologist - who is this and what is he treating?”
Who can become such a doctor
Such a specialist can be a highly qualified therapist who underwent separate training in rheumatology. The doctor should be well aware of the nature of rheumatic diseases, be fluent in the methods of their treatment and diagnosis, be aware of innovations in the fields of immunology, orthopedics, neurology, and also regularly improve their skills.
When should I contact him?
Many are interested in the question of, in the presence of what symptoms should visit such a specialist. The reason for making an appointment with a rheumatologist can be pain in various joints and a feeling of discomfort in their area. Given that this specialist deals with inflammatory and dystrophic diseases that affect the joints and connective tissue, some other reasons can be added to the above indications for addressing him.
If a person is predisposed to various infectious diseases or to the frequent appearance of a sore throat, this is a good reason to contact a rheumatologist. It is equally important to pay attention to the crunch in the joints or swelling in them and the spine - this is also an occasion to consult this specialist.
At what age do rheumatic diseases appear
A similar pathology can appear in a person of any age. However, most often such ailments occur in people after 45 years. Some types of rheumatic diseases are practically not found in young people. In addition, there are diseases in which only women or men suffer in 95% of cases.
Rheumatology and Orthopedics
These two areas are closely intertwined. As you know, orthopedics is an area in surgery that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the musculoskeletal system. Many of the symptoms that people turn to a rheumatologist are associated with congenital malformations, as well as the consequences of injuries or previous illnesses. In such cases, the rheumatologist also involves other specialists, such as a surgeon and orthopedist, in the treatment.
A rheumatologist works closely with the above doctors, as some of his patients need complex treatment. In large medical institutions, doctors of a wide profile work, for example, an orthopedic rheumatologist, whose qualifications and experience allow him to perform the functions of several specialists at once.
Features of the profession and major rheumatic diseases
Rheumatologist - who is it? It may seem that this specialty is narrow, but in reality it is complex. A rheumatologist is a doctor who treats diseases of the joints and connective tissue. As already mentioned above, this specialist works closely with many others to conduct complex therapy. In addition to orthopedics, arthrology also plays a large role here. This is a narrow specialty, whose representatives are involved in the surgical treatment of joints. In today's medicine, doctors who are able to use both therapeutic and surgical methods are in great demand. They are called rheumatologists-arthrologists.
We will analyze a few of the main diseases that a rheumatologist deals with:
- Rheumatism is a systemic disease of the connective tissue that also affects the lining of the heart. It can affect the skin, kidneys, lungs, liver, and nervous system. Often rheumatism is caused by a complication of scarlet fever or an infectious sore throat: streptococcus, which attacked the throat, infects other organs.
- Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. There are several dozen of its species. The reason is sometimes allergies, psoriasis, gout.
- Osteoarthrosis is a very common disease. She suffers 15% of the world's population. It is a non-inflammatory lesion of the joints, cartilage and surrounding tissue. As the disease develops, the joints gradually lose their mobility.
To find out the causes of these diseases, the doctor studies the pathological processes in the body and identifies infectious foci. In some cases, joint pain can be caused by diseases of the internal organs, flat feet, obesity, and even sexually transmitted infections.
Where does the rheumatologist take: where can I go
This doctor works in ordinary clinics and hospitals, as well as in specialized clinics. In this profession, important qualities are methodology, responsibility, a tendency to self-education and good intelligence. Confidence in oneself and one's actions and empathy for the sick are also helpful.
What does a rheumatologist treat?
Rheumatologist - who is it? As we have already found out, this is a specialist in the treatment of diseases of the joints and connective tissue. His profile is quite wide. The diseases indicated above are only the most common. And in total there are more than two hundred, and they are found in every fifth inhabitant of our planet. Rheumatic diseases are combined with many others, in which concomitant symptoms are manifested in the form of damage to muscle tissue, joints, bones and spine. And if the disease also affects the connective tissue, then it is considered systemic.
Rheumatic diseases seriously reduce the comfort of a person’s life. Sometimes, due to the limited mobility of the joints, the patient may lose his job, as he cannot fulfill his immediate duties. In some cases, rheumatic diseases lead to disability. Quite often, a sick person hardly gets out of bed and sits on a chair. All this affects the psychological state of the patient and is reflected in his family life. In 70% of cases, rheumatic diseases are chronic, as their exacerbation is often observed.
A rheumatologist is a doctor who treats diseases conditionally divided into two categories: articular and diffuse (connective tissue). Now consider them in more detail.
Varieties of ailments
Consider first joint diseases:
- Osteoarthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Idiopathic juvenile arthritis.
- Infectious arthritis.
- Reactive arthritis (Reiter's syndrome).
- Still's disease.
- Ankylosing spondylitis.
- Gout and pseudogout.
- Arthritis that develops against the background of intestinal diseases.
Diffuse diseases:
- Scleroderma.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus.
There are other diseases in which joints, muscles, bones, blood vessels, and internal organs are affected. They are also treated by a rheumatologist. These include:
- Rheumatic fever (acute form).
- Behcet's disease.
- Fibromyalgia.
- Recurrent polychondritis.
- Rheumatic polymyalgia.
- Osteoporosis and some others.
A separate group includes vasculopathies and the following disorders:
- Horton's Arteritis.
- Kawasaki disease.
- Nonspecific aortoarteritis.
- Nodular polyarteritis.
- Cryofibrinogenemic vasculopathy.
- Microscopic vasculitis.
- Cryoglobulinematic vasculitis.
- Purple by Schonlein-Genoch.
- Hyperoseosinophilic angiitis.
- Antiphospholipid syndrome and others.
Doctor visit
Rheumatologist - who is it? This is a specialist in the treatment of joint diseases. People often do not get an appointment with a rheumatologist immediately, but in the direction of other doctors: for example, from a surgeon or therapist. When the patient comes to the reception, the doctor listens to all his complaints, is interested in previous illnesses, allergies and injuries. He also asks about the patient’s lifestyle and ailments of his relatives, which can be inherited.
Given that rheumatology is closely related to other medical fields, it is not surprising that the diseases that this doctor specializes in are similar to various infectious, cardiological, hematological and other ailments.
Quite often, joint diseases require immediate surgical intervention. Such manipulations are performed by an arthrologist. He performs operations, makes injections in the joint bag, etc. When the patient needs to change the joint (to put an endoprosthesis), an orthopedic trauma surgeon is already doing this.
Diagnostics
The basis for establishing the initial diagnosis is the radiography procedure. In other words, an x-ray familiar to everyone is taken. Based on the results obtained, the doctor conducts substantive consultation. In some cases, a rheumatologist may use other diagnostic methods, but radiography is the easiest and most informative way.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) can be distinguished from analogues. MRI helps to find out the current state of the patient’s soft tissues, his intervertebral discs, neurovascular fibers and vascular ligaments. For a detailed study of bones, CT is used.
New method
Recently, a relatively new diagnostic method is gaining popularity - densitometry. This study is a study of tissue density. This diagnosis is especially useful for osteoporosis.
Also, a rheumatologist prescribes a general blood test (KLA). It allows you to detect inflammation in the body and other specific signs that can help more accurately make the final diagnosis.
Children's doctor
Quite often, the age factor is decisive. If we are talking about diseases that are relevant for babies, then they should be treated with the appropriate doctor. In this case, it is a rheumatologist for children. This can be explained by the age specificity of the course of rheumatic diseases, a significant difference in some features, as well as the tactics of therapy.
Angina, both childhood and adult, is a predisposing factor for the development of rheumatic diseases in the future. If the child has suffered rheumatic fever, then it can contribute to the development of heart defects in the future. For this reason, the treatment of this disease is carried out without the use of antibiotics.
The therapy conducted by a pediatric rheumatologist is necessarily based on many factors and takes into account that children should not take certain medications that are used to treat adults. And the dosage of permitted drugs is carefully selected based on the total area of the child’s body and its weight.
Now the reader knows the answer to the question: “Rheumatologist - who is it?” This is a doctor treating diseases of the joints and connective tissue. The services of a rheumatologist are currently in great demand. This is not surprising, because the deteriorating ecology, living conditions and malnutrition contribute to a decrease in immunity. Rheumatic diseases can now be found in every fifth person.
As mentioned above, today qualified specialists of a wide profile are in demand. In every major medical institution you can meet an orthopedic rheumatologist, and an arthrologist-rheumatologist is also popular. Reviews from patients such highly qualified doctors receive the most positive.
Unfortunately, in rheumatology there are no cases with instant or relatively quick recovery. Often such diseases turn into chronic ailments and torment a person throughout his life, periodically fading and exacerbating. This means that people are forced to visit a rheumatologist for several decades in a row.
Does this mean that the work of this doctor is hopeless? No, it is not. It is a rheumatologist that facilitates sick people their condition, relieves suffering and restores the joy of life. When the patient is better, the doctor helps him avoid subsequent exacerbations. This is the main task of this specialty.