Benefits You Derive From Being Treated By A Rheumatologist
Musculoskeletal disease and systemic autoimmune conditions are a group of medical conditions that are referred to as rheumatic diseases. These diseases affect your muscles, bones, and joints and thereafter cause chronic pain, stiffness, swelling, and deformity in some cases. Joint damage can occur if you ignore the symptoms of joint pain. The symptoms, when not given early treatment, cannot always be reversed. So it's in your best interest to obtain early treatment to avoid permanent joint damage.
Immune System Disorder Produces Autoimmune Conditions
Sometimes your immune system sends inflammation properties to body areas that are without damage or symptoms. That spurs the development of autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. As a result of this condition, you can develop other medical conditions that involve your skin, eyes, nervous system, and even internal organs. The condition begins by attacking healthy cells and tissue. That leads to issues with mobility, permanent joint damage, and chronic pain.
Rheumatologists Treat Joint Diseases
Bear in mind that although rheumatologists treat joint diseases, they do not perform surgery. Rheumatologists generally treat rheumatoid arthritis, tendinitis, gout, lupus, chronic back pain, and osteoarthritis. Orthopedists are specialists, and they perform surgical procedures when you have a need for orthopedic surgery.
Blood Testing And Then Drug Treatments
There is a long list of medications that rheumatologists use to treat their patients. Before issuing drug prescriptions, however, your doctor will order blood testing. Laboratory blood test results enable your rheumatologist to determine the type of drug treatment that is suitable for your unique immune system condition. Your immune system condition could be osteoarthritis.
How Osteoarthritis Develops
Osteoarthritis develops when there is degeneration of the protective cartilage that surrounds joints in places like your hips and knees, shoulders, wrists, and even finger joints. In these cases, you'll experience pain, stiffness, and tenderness around those joints. If you have these symptoms, remember to seek early treatment for your condition. Early treatment for osteoarthritis can prevent further degeneration of your joints.
Celiac Disease
If you have trouble digesting food that contains gluten, you could be suffering from celiac disease. Celiac disease sets off an autoimmune reaction, which eventually develops into a painful inflammation of your small intestine. Gluten damages your small intestine and negatively impacts the regular absorption of nutrients. That damage could lead to malnutrition if celiac disease is not treated. Symptoms of the disease include acid reflux, heartburn, and stomach pain after meals. Signs of constipation and diarrhea are not unusual when you have celiac disease.