What is rheumatology?
The rheumatology branch actively studies and manages autoimmune illnesses, heritable connective tissue disorders, soft tissues, and joints. Rheumatologists undergo specialized training to diagnose and treat joint, muscle, and bone conditions and diseases. Unlike orthopedists, rheumatologists do not perform surgeries to treat joint disorders.
Rheumatologists can treat various conditions, including inflammatory rheumatic disorders, connective tissue diseases, and autoimmune diseases. Some common conditions that a rheumatologist treats are:
- Inherited disorders, including osteoporosis, rheumatic fever, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, and psoriatic arthritis
- Joint problems, including spondylitis, gout, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis
- Tendon issues, including tendinosis, tennis elbow, and rotator cuff issues
- Muscle conditions, including myopathies, polymyositis, rhabdomyolysis, and Charcot-Marie-tooth disease
What kind of medical training do rheumatologists undergo?
A rheumatologist's medical training begins with obtaining a traditional undergraduate bachelor's degree. Afterward, individuals finish a four-year medical school curriculum and complete a doctor of medicine degree (MD) or a doctor of osteopathy degree (DO). Osteopathic doctors, in particular, receive an education that emphasizes a holistic approach, considering a person's mind, body, and spirit.
Upon completing medical school, physicians undergo a three-year residency program focusing on internal medicine or pediatrics. Here, they acquire experience managing a wide range of diseases. Doctors must then pass the internal medicine or pediatric board examination to specialize in rheumatology.
Becoming a rheumatologist requires additional training in a two to three-year fellowship, which provides specialized education in musculoskeletal and autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. To demonstrate their knowledge and qualify for board certification, rheumatologists must pass a demanding examination. Furthermore, all rheumatologists must pursue continuous education through ongoing training courses in medicine.
Reasons to visit a rheumatologist near you
Visiting a rheumatologist is warranted if you experience constant and severe pain in your joints, muscles, or bones. Rheumatic diseases can be challenging to detect in the early stages and require the skills to uncover the causes of swelling and pain. These conditions often evolve, emphasizing the importance of early detection. In case the pain intensifies rapidly, seeking the expertise of a rheumatologist is recommended.
You may want to see a rheumatologist if you have:
Persistent muscle and joint pain: If you struggle with regular muscle or joint pains that last longer than the usual discomfort, consulting a rheumatologist can be essential. These specialists are adept at deciphering the complexities of prolonged pain, delving into potential underlying rheumatic conditions.
Abnormal blood test results: Unusual findings in blood tests, such as elevated markers like antinuclear antibodies (ANA) or rheumatoid factor (RF), can be signs of rheumatic diseases. Consulting a rheumatologist near you is essential to interpret these findings properly and choose the best course of treatment.
Symptoms resistant to initial treatment: When symptoms persist despite initial treatment, it raises a red flag that requires specialized attention. If the pain medications provide temporary relief and symptoms return post-usage, a specialist can examine the underlying causes and create a comprehensive plan.
Rheumatic disease diagnosis: If you have received an official diagnosis of rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma, seeking the expertise of a rheumatologist is paramount. With their extensive training and experience, these specialists can provide precise and efficient therapy for different cases.
Complex or rare symptoms: If you are experiencing unusual pains or swelling, seeking the expertise of a rheumatologist is a proactive step toward accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment. These specialists offer a nuanced understanding of persistent pain and abnormal test results, ensuring patients receive precise diagnoses and personalized care for optimal musculoskeletal health.
If you experience joint stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes, especially worse in the morning after inactivity, or notice any joint swelling, consult a rheumatologist near you immediately. It's essential to get treated right away since, over time, untreated rheumatic disorders can cause permanent damage.
What diseases can a rheumatologist treat?
A rheumatologist can help you treat and manage autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Some of these include:
Individuals with Sjogren's syndrome may initially experience dry mouth and eyes due to a decrease in the production of moisture-maintaining glands and membranes. They may also develop fatigue, rashes, a dry cough, joint stiffness, and skin dryness as the condition progresses.
- Scleroderma (Systemic sclerosis)
Contrary to its association with beauty treatments, collagen builds up in patients with scleroderma in their organs and skin, leading to various symptoms. These may include loss of hair, sores on the fingers and toes, hardening and discoloration of the skin, joint pain, breathing problems, and digestive issues.
While more commonly seen in women, dermatomyositis can also affect men. The condition may cause a rash, inflammation, muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, purple-colored skin and eyelids, and shortness of breath. The exact cause of dermatomyositis is unclear, but some rheumatologists believe it may be linked to a viral infection in the muscles.
Patients with polymyositis experience a chronic inflammation of their muscles, leading to muscle weakness. This condition is most often seen in African American women between the ages of 30 and 50. It may result in difficulty speaking and swallowing, fatigue, shortness of breath, and progressive muscle weakness.
Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disease that primarily affects individuals over the age of 50, causing tight and painful shoulders. Patients may also experience fever, anemia, and fatigue.
Septic arthritis occurs when bacteria, such as staphylococcus or streptococcus, invade a joint, typically the hips or knees, through the bloodstream. The symptoms usually appear quickly in a single joint and include swelling, fever, extreme joint pain, and reduced mobility of the affected joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis: symptoms, causes, and risk factors
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) inflames and affects joints, resulting in swelling, pain, and stiffness. This condition starts when the body's immune system attacks its tissues instead of protecting them. This attack causes inflammation in the synovium, the lining of the joints. RA is differentiated from arthritis by the symmetry of its effects, i.e., it affects joints equally on both sides of the body. For example, it will affect both knees, hands, and elbows.
The common symptoms of RA include joint pain, swelling, tenderness or stiffness in the joints, fever, weight loss, persistent fatigue, and weakness. The common risk factors include:
- Age: Although age doesn't affect the incidence of RA, the chances of developing the condition increase with age. Adults in their sixties are more prone to RA onset.
- Obesity: Obesity increases the chances of developing RA.
- Sex: The likelihood of RA in women is two to three times more than in men.
- Smoking: It increases a person's likelihood of getting RA and can worsen the condition.
- Genetics: The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genotypes can worsen RA. The presence of such genes affects the likelihood of RA. Some factors decrease the likelihood of RA. For example, studies have reported that women who breastfeed their kids have a reduced chance of developing RA.
What steps should you take before a rheumatology appointment?
When scheduling an appointment with a rheumatologist near you for the first time, it might take a few weeks before you can secure a slot. During this waiting period, you can take proactive measures to prepare. These steps involve:
- Organize your records: Compile and arrange notes from previous doctors, which the rheumatologist will likely want to review. Additionally, obtaining copies of your lab and imaging test results can be beneficial.
- Document your medical history: Make a comprehensive record of the medications you are currently taking for other medical conditions. It's also important to note any vitamins or supplements you are using.
- Maintain a symptom journal: Given the fluctuating nature of your symptoms, keeping a journal to track them is advisable. You can recall and convey all the relevant details during your appointment by jotting down your symptoms and frequency.
Finding the best rheumatologists near you in Baltimore
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can significantly affect your life. However, it would be best to survive it physically and mentally strong. A rheumatologist can effectively help you manage RA, and with Zocdoc, you can find the best rheumatologists near you.
On the Zocdoc website, enter your condition, location, preferred date, and insurance provider. You can also use the built-in filters to refine your search for the top-rated rheumatologists in Baltimore. All practitioners on Zocdoc have a dedicated profile containing information about their training, education, experience, specialty, location, and affiliations, among other things. You can also view the verified patient reviews to help you choose the best rheumatologist for your needs.
You can link multiple insurance plans to your Zocdoc account, but you have to select one to use for each appointment booking. You can provide information about any additional insurance you have during the booking process or on the provider's intake forms. Contact Zocdoc's patient help center for queries on health insurance.
Zocdoc also allows you to book in-person and online consultations on weekdays, weekends, and even after 5 pm, depending on the practitioner's ability. All bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure.
Rheumatology statistics in Maryland
In developed countries, around 0.5 to 1% of the population is affected by RA; in the US, it affects 0.6%. In 2007, an estimated 15 million adults in the US were affected by RA. Patients with RA face 60-70% higher mortality risks than the general population. Every year, 71 out of every 100,000 people are diagnosed with RA.
The incidence rate for RA decreased from 1955 to 1994, but the patterns changed after 1994. Doctors diagnose 54 women out of every 100,000 and 29 men out of every 100,000. According to the findings discussed at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in San Francisco, the overall percentage of the entire population with the condition increased from 0.85% to 0.95%.
The American College of Rheumatology published the 2018 Rheumatic Disease Report Card. This report card graded all 50 states and Washington, DC, based on how livable they are for people with rheumatic diseases, including arthritis and other conditions that impact the joints, bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. This report card graded the states based on three factors: accessibility of rheumatologic care, affordability, and lifestyle. Only Maryland received an A due to its high concentration of rheumatologists and a low rate of residents without health insurance.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic
WebMD
American College of Rheumatology
Healthline
Arthritis Foundation
Rheumatology of Central Indiana
Hospital for Special Surgery
Illinois Bone & Joint Institute
