Are you experiencing pain and discomfort in your joints, muscles, bones, or tendons? You may be suffering from a condition where your body’s immune system is causing inflammation. While disorders like these can range from mild to severe, it is always best to get checked out by a specialist – such as a rheumatologist – if your symptoms continue for more than a few days. 

Today’s blog post explores when you should consider making an appointment to see a rheumatologist and how they can help assess and manage chronic forms of musculoskeletal problems.

What is a Rheumatologist?

A rheumatologist is a medical professional that specializes in diagnosing and managing diseases involving connective tissue, muscle, joint, and bone disorders. Some of the conditions they treat include:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Lupus
• Gout
• Sjogren’s Syndrome
• Scleroderma
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Rheumatologists are trained to consider the overall health of the patient and aspects of their lifestyle that could be impacting their condition. Through various forms of treatment, they strive to give patients relief from their symptoms so that they can live healthier lives.

Symptoms of an Inflammatory Disorder

If you’re experiencing any pain, tenderness, or swelling in your joints, it’s essential to take the time to identify what is causing the problem—it could be a sign of inflammation. If your joints are swollen, red, or warm to the touch, there’s a good chance that you may be suffering from some kind of an inflammatory disorder and should see a rheumatologist. 

Fatigue, fever, and weight loss can also be signs of an autoimmune disorder or other chronic condition. If you notice any of these occurring for more than a week, you should schedule an appointment for further investigation and diagnosis. 

Additionally, a family history of autoimmune diseases and arthritis can significantly increase your risk. 

If left untreated, rheumatoid diseases can lead to joint destruction, limited range of motion, deformity, and decreased quality of life. Further health issues include cardiovascular disease, eye problems, and skin conditions.

Early detection is crucial and can significantly improve outcomes when it comes to reducing the effects of these common inflammatory conditions. Treatments for rheumatoid diseases can vary greatly depending on the severity and type of disease. Often, milder forms are treated with traditional medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, or DMARDs to slow joint damage and decrease pain.

At Advanced Rheumatology of Houston, our caring staff is committed to helping those with Rheumatoid Arthritis and other inflammatory autoimmune conditions. We work with each patient to customize a treatment plan to alleviate their pain and improve their quality of life through medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. We also work with pharmaceutical companies in researching innovative approaches to treating chronic conditions. You may be eligible to take part in these studies.

If you have been suffering from chronic joint pain, do not wait any longer. It’s time to get checked out by a rheumatologist and start enjoying life again. Contact us to schedule an appointment by calling (281) 766-7886.