A rheumatologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory, autoimmune, degenerative or genetic diseases that, in addition to affecting bones, ligaments, muscles or tendons, can also affect organs such as the heart, eyes, skin and lungs.
Therefore, the rheumatologist is the doctor recommended to diagnose and treat diseases, such as rheumatism, osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatic fever and lupus, improving the person’s quality of life.
It is recommended to consult a rheumatologist whenever you experience symptoms that may indicate joint inflammation, such as pain, swelling, redness and a feeling of heat in the joints, tiredness, fever and difficulty moving.
What problems does the rheumatologist take care of?
The rheumatologist is responsible for diagnosing and caring for problems such as:
- Osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative disease that can arise due to natural wear and tear on joints, age, repetitive movements, trauma and excess weight, for example;
- Gout, which is characterized by excess uric acid in the blood, inflaming the joints;
- Rheumatic fever, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of various tissues in the body, resulting in joint pain, heart problems and weakness, for example;
- Lupus erythematosus, which is an autoimmune disease where defense cells attack healthy cells in the body, causing inflammation in the joints, heart and lungs;
- Arthritis, an inflammation of the joints that can be caused by excess weight, age or genetic factors, for example;
- Tendinitis, an inflammation of the tendons that can be caused by aging, exertion or repetitive movements.
In addition, the rheumatologist also helps in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, sclerosis and psoriatic arthritis, which is a type of arthritis that causes swelling, pain and difficulty in moving the joints. He knows more about the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.
Difference Between Rheumatologist and Orthopedist
An orthopedist is a surgeon who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries caused by trauma to the bones and joints, such as falls, sprains, fractures and ligament ruptures, musculoskeletal diseases, osteoarthritis and spinal disc disease, for example.
The rheumatologist is responsible for diagnosing and treating inflammatory, autoimmune, degenerative, metabolic or genetic diseases that affect bones, joints, ligaments, muscles or tendons. However, the rheumatologist cannot perform surgery.
When to make an appointment
It is recommended to make an appointment with a rheumatologist whenever there are signs and symptoms that may indicate joint inflammation, such as:
- Tiredness;
- Fever;
- Pain, heat, swelling and redness in the joints;
- Difficulty moving;
- Swollen legs;
- Red spots on the skin;
- Chest pain and cough;
- Bad to be.
In the presence of these symptoms, the rheumatologist will evaluate the health and family history, and the person’s general health status.
In addition, the rheumatologist may also order some additional tests to help diagnose possible rheumatological problems, including blood tests and imaging tests, such as X-rays, ultrasound and MRI.
Bibliography
- CATARINENE SOCIETY OF RHEUMATOLOGY. What does a rheumatologist do?. Available at: <https://screumatologia.com.br/o-que-o-medico-reumatologista-faz/>. Accessed on Jul 25, 2022
- GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH. Golden Rules in rheumatology. 2005. Available at: <http://nocs.pt/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/f7_cat1_8_regras_de_ouro_em_reumatologia_file.pdf>. Accessed on Jul 25, 2022
