Who is this rheumatologist? Let's get to know this specialist.

Do you sometimes experience joint pain, morning stiffness, or just general aches and pains? Sometimes these things can go away in a few days. However, if these problems persist or get worse, you need to look into it. That's when we need the help of a rheumatologist.

Who is a Rheumatologist?

Simply put, a rheumatologist is a doctor who specializes in complex diseases of our bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues. These doctors, after graduating from general medicine, undergo several years of specialized training in this field.

Often these diseases are chronic or autoimmune, meaning our immune system attacks our own cells . Sometimes these can be passed down from generation to generation. So, a rheumatologist helps control the pain caused by these conditions and helps reduce inflammation in the body.

What is Rheumatology?

Rheumatology is a branch of medicine that mainly studies "rheumatic diseases." These are chronic inflammatory diseases that often affect the connective tissues of our body, that is, as I mentioned earlier, bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Think about it, there are some types of arthritis, which are also called ``inflammatory arthritis.'' In such diseases, the body reacts against its own tissues. There are other diseases, which can develop into ongoing muscle or bone problems, sometimes when an old injury does not heal properly. All of these fall under the field of rheumatology.

What does a rheumatologist do?

The main job of a rheumatologist is to accurately diagnose and treat complex diseases that affect our bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues. These are not simple things like a simple bruise or sprain, but rather problems that are a little deeper than that.

There are several types of rheumatic diseases:

• Autoimmune diseases: This is when our body's immune system mistakenly attacks our own healthy cells and tissues.
• Connective tissue diseases: These affect the supporting structures throughout our bodies.
• Inflammatory disorders or infections: These can affect the muscles, joints, or bones.

When diagnosing these diseases, doctors use blood tests and various `(imaging)` scans (e.g. `(X-ray)`, `(Ultrasound)`) . When it comes to treatment, it's not the same. A treatment plan is created by combining various methods, such as medications, sometimes special injections into the joints, and physical therapy.

What diseases does a rheumatologist treat?

There is a list of diseases that a rheumatologist treats. You may have heard of some of these names.

• Ankylosing Spondylitis: This mainly causes stiffness and pain in the joints of the spine.
• Bursitis: Infection of the fluid-filled sacs (bursa) around joints.
• Gout : A disease in which uric acid builds up in the body, causing swelling and severe pain in the joints.
• Osteoarthritis: A condition caused by wear and tear of the joints with age.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is an autoimmune disease. The joints in the body become swollen, painful, and stiff in the morning.
• Rheumatic Fever: After a throat infection, it can affect areas such as the heart, joints, and brain.
• Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - SLE): This is also an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body.
• Scleroderma: Thickening of the skin and can also affect internal organs.
• Vasculitis: Inflammation of the blood vessels.

Rheumatologists treat many other diseases like these. Each of these diseases is different, and therefore the treatments are different.

How much study is required to become a rheumatologist?

This is not an easy journey. To become a rheumatologist, you must first earn a bachelor's degree, then complete four years of medical school (an MD or DO degree). After that, you must complete a three-year residency in internal medicine or pediatrics.

After this residency, you have to pass an exam to become a specialist in that field. After that, you have to undergo another two or three years of specialized training (`(fellowship)`) in the field of rheumatology. During this training, you learn in depth about bone, joint, and autoimmune diseases. Finally, you are recognized as a rheumatologist only after passing another rigorous exam that confirms that knowledge. After that, you have to constantly update your knowledge by learning new things (`(Continuing Medical Education - CME)`). So you can understand how much dedication this requires.

Why do we need to see a rheumatologist?

There may be several reasons why you should see a rheumatologist.

• If someone in your family has a rheumatic disease or autoimmune disease: Because some of these diseases can be hereditary, it is better to get tested early.
• If your primary care provider (PCP) refers you: After looking at some of your symptoms, if the doctor suspects that this may be a rheumatic disease, he or she will refer you to a rheumatologist.

There are some common symptoms of rheumatic diseases:

• It can occur not only in one place on the body, but in several places at once. It can even affect the entire body.
• It can affect different types of tissues, such as muscles, nerves, and skin.
• You may feel pain, stiffness, and swelling in those areas.
• In addition to this, systemic symptoms such as fever and fatigue may also occur.

Imagine, in the morning, the joints of your fingers are stiff and painful, unable to bend. After a while, it will subside a little. But this happens every day. Or, for no reason, red spots appear on the skin in different places on the body, along with joint pain and fatigue. These are the things that can be seen in rheumatic diseases.

When should you see a rheumatologist?

If you or your general practitioner suspect that you have rheumatic disease, it is very important to see a specialist, a rheumatologist, as soon as possible. Especially if your symptoms started suddenly or are getting worse quickly, you should definitely do so quickly.

Because, these rheumatic diseases are often progressive. That is, as the disease progresses, more tissues may be affected and new symptoms may appear. Some diseases can even cause permanent damage to our tissues. Therefore, this damage can be minimized by diagnosing the disease early and starting treatment.

How do you prepare for a visit to a rheumatologist?

If you do these things before you go see a rheumatologist, it will be easier for the doctor and for you.

• Keep your old medical records in order: This includes notes from doctors you've seen before, test results, etc. You may already have these, or you may need to request them from the appropriate sources.
• Write down your medical history: The doctor will ask about the medications, vitamins, and supplements you are currently taking, any previous illnesses, and any medications you have used.
• Keep a symptom journal: Rheumatic symptoms can be varied and change quickly. Writing down details like "This morning, this afternoon, this yesterday" can help your doctor get a clearer picture of your condition.
• Plan to write down what the doctor says: When you go for the first time, you will learn a lot of new information. It may be difficult to remember everything at once. If possible, take a friend or family member with you. They can help you write things down.

What tests do rheumatologists use to diagnose the disease?

In addition to a physical exam, your doctor may order several other tests to help diagnose the condition. For example:

• Blood tests: These can detect many things, such as whether there is inflammation in the body and whether there are antibodies related to autoimmune conditions.
• Imaging tests: Tests such as X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRIs can look at the condition of joints, bones, and muscles.
• Bone density test (DEXA scan): Check for decreased bone strength (osteoporosis).
• Tissue biopsy: Sometimes, a small piece of affected tissue needs to be taken for testing.
• Electromyogram (EMG): A test to check the function of muscles and nerves.
• Organ function tests: Check if organs such as the kidneys and liver are affected.

How do rheumatologists treat these diseases?

Treating rheumatic diseases is a bit complicated. Because not everyone can be treated the same way. Your doctor will create a treatment plan that is right for you based on many factors, such as your symptoms, the nature of the disease, and your response to treatment.

There are several treatment methods:

• Corticosteroids: These help reduce inflammation in the body quickly.
• Immunosuppressants: These are given to control the activity of the body's immune system in autoimmune diseases.
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): These medications help reduce joint damage caused by the disease and control the progression of the disease.
• Joint injections: Medicines can be injected directly into painful and swollen joints.
• Orthotics: Sometimes used to provide support to joints and reduce pain.
• Physical therapy: Improve joint function and strength through exercise and other methods.
• Occupational therapy: Training in how to perform daily tasks more easily.
• Referral to an orthopedic surgeon: In some cases, surgery may be necessary if there is significant damage to the joints.

The most important thing is to see your doctor regularly for these treatments, get the necessary tests done, and monitor your condition. Because these diseases can change over time and new problems can arise. Then your doctor can change your treatment plan accordingly. By staying in regular contact with your doctor, you can adjust your treatment before you feel any discomfort.

Finally, things to remember

Okay, so I hope you now have a good idea of ​​who a rheumatologist is and what he does.

Remember, rheumatologists are specialists who treat often long-term and complex conditions involving the joints, muscles, and connective tissues of the body.

• If you have persistent joint pain, swelling, stiffness, or unexplained body aches, don't just ignore it.
• First, see your family doctor (GP). He or she can assess your condition and refer you to a rheumatologist if necessary.
• In such diseases , early diagnosis and proper treatment can prevent major damage and allow you to live a good life.

So, take care of your body. If you have any problems, don't be afraid to talk to a doctor.

` Rheumatologist, Rheumatologist, Joint diseases, Arthritis, Arthritis, Autoimmune diseases, Autoimmune disease, Musculoskeletal pain, Rheumatology