Here are some of the main reasons you should consider consulting a rheumatologist:
- Joint Pain - If you happen to develop joint pain, swelling, or stiffness, that is more in the morning without any apparent cause and lasts for more than a few weeks, it is recommended that you consult a rheumatologist. They can pinpoint its root cause and differentiate between disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, tendinitis, and bursitis. Treating autoimmune or inflammatory conditions of these types requires early diagnosis for the best outcome.
- Muscle Pain - Gradually developing muscle aches or persistently tender muscles anywhere in your body may signal inflammatory or autoimmune disease. A rheumatologist can help in relieving this muscle pain to differentiate them from vitamin deficiencies or side effects of medicine taking, overtraining, or even lower chronic pain diseases such as fibromyalgia.
- Back Pain - The majority of back pain observed in individuals is acute. It requires little or no medical intervention as it will dramatically improve within days to weeks with rest, medications for pain, or physical therapy. However, if your back pain is severe or progressive and lasts more than 3 months, you may need to consult a rheumatologist for diagnosis and appropriate management. Consulting a rheumatologist from the best Rheumatology hospital in Delhi will assist in diagnosing spinal conditions associated with autoimmune disease, fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, infections, or any form of deformity.
- Abnormal Blood Tests - There could be cases with high titer rheumatoid factor, anti-nuclear antibodies, and neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA C or P). These investigations may predict the presence of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or vasculitis. Such patients are referred to a rheumatologist for further tests for diagnosis and to assess severity even if they have no reported symptoms. These progressive autoimmune diseases must be treated early so that their overall poor prognosis can be altered with effective targeted therapy.
- Family History - Having close relatives with autoimmune diseases also necessitates examination by a rheumatologist, as you have a higher chance of inheriting these conditions. Rheumatologists can offer information about health instructions for the periodic screening and general identification of diseases.
- Failure to Diagnose - Most diseases including autoimmune diseases, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain disorders are usually hard to diagnose as they may lack clear/ uncomplicated symptoms. If you experience muscle aches, joint pains, and general fatigue and have accessed other treatment regimes, a rheumatologist may help to make a correct diagnosis and offer specific treatment.
- Before Surgery - Some autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus require continuation, addition, or withholding of particular medications before surgery. Rheumatologists advise on risk factors or actions before surgery, that can lead to flare-ups, complications, and more joint degradation.
- Post-Infectious Issues - In some individuals, severe joint pain remains long after an infectious illness or begins simultaneously with antibiotic therapy. This signals possible reactive arthritis or sepsis-triggered arthritis that rheumatologists manage using anti-inflammatory drugs together with careful follow-up of the arthritis.
- To Monitor Known Diseases - For rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc most patients are followed up by a rheumatologist to assess the disease’s progression or remission and change therapy regimes accordingly. Some medications used in managing these compounding inflammatory diseases can only be administered by rheumatologists. They also counsel patients regarding the amelioration of symptoms and organ injury through lifestyle modification.
If you are experiencing any difficult-to-diagnose joint, muscle, or bone symptoms or if your blood test results have returned positive, suggesting an autoimmune or inflammatory condition. It is recommended to consult a rheumatologist.
People with rheumatological disorders can benefit from the latest diagnostic tests and modern therapies rheumatologists propose to provide so that they have minimum disability and drug side effects and improved quality of life. Receiving appropriate rheumatological care in the initial years of the disease activity leads to a healthy productive life.
Therefore, consulting a highly trained rheumatologist is recommended in the case of unexplained inflammatory type of symptoms beyond one month or where a disease requires specialized management. Early detection of autoimmune disorders works wonders in enhancing the prognosis and future well-being of a patient.
Rheumatologists can pin down difficult, usually painful, muscle and joint diseases, with astute clinical acumen, and novel diagnostic tests and therapies. This means that early contact with a specialist, when signs are first felt, leads to being given specific treatment regimens from the initial disease period itself. Providing specific and timely treatment reduces the chances of irreversible complications such as disability or the development of deformities and systemic complications affecting the lungs, heart, brain kidneys, etc.
If the patient experiences any odd pains or inflammation, they should not wait and, book an appointment at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital today.
