Rheumatology is a branch of medicine which consists of the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases. An autoimmune disease is one in which the immune system gets activated against one’s own body leading to the production of antibodies, which causes multi-organ damage, resulting in various clinical manifestations like arthritis (pain, stiffness and swelling in joints), dryness of eye and mouth, rashes over the body, kidney failure, uveitis (pain and redness in the eye), interstitial lung disease etc. Thus, you should get checked by the best rheumatologist in Jaipur.
A Rheumatologist is one who is a specialist in diagnosing and treating Rheumatic / Autoimmune diseases.
It consists of:
Inflammatory Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Psoriatic Arthritis
Gout
Degenerative Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Connective Tissue Diseases
SLE
Sjogren’s Syndrome
Inflammatory Myositis
Scleroderma
Vasculitis
GPA
PAN
Soft Tissue Rheumatism
Fibromyalgia
Tendinitis
Bursitis
Osteoporosis
Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases
Manipal Hospitals has one of the best Rheumatologist doctors in Jaipur.
Most of us experience joint or muscle pain at some point in time. Although most of the joint symptoms improve on its own and some of them persists. If the pain is not improving in 1-2 weeks, it is better to take an expert opinion. If joint symptoms are associated with the following symptoms it is always advised to take an expert opinion:
Systemic symptoms like fever, fatigue, weight loss
Severe pain in the morning hours and/or morning stiffness in the joints more than 30 minutes
More than 3 joints involved at the same time
Skin rash
Abdominal pain
An early opinion should be taken, if there is also a family history of rheumatic disease or if symptoms are significantly worsening over a short period of time. Joint damage can occur if symptoms of joint pain are ignored or not properly treated over a period of time. This damage cannot always be treated and may become permanent. Do not delay appropriate evaluation and get a check-up by one amongst the best rheumatologist doctor in Jaipur.
As an autoimmune disease affects various organs of the body, the patient is referred to a Rheumatologist from a General Physician, Orthopedician or other medical specialities. The most common presentation of a patient is Arthritis (pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints).
Some of the clinical features which require a Rheumatologist opinion are:
Uveitis
Dryness of eyes
(Referred from an Ophthalmologist)
Rashes over face and body
Psoriasis
(Referred from a Dermatologist)
Low back pain
(Referred from a Neurosurgeon/Neurologist/Orthopaedics)
Kidney damage
(Referred from a Nephrologist)
Interstitial Lung disease
(Referred from a Pulmonologist/Chest Physician)
A Rheumatologist is a physician who has received specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disease and systemic autoimmune diseases referred to as Rheumatic diseases.
An orthopedic surgeon is a doctor who corrects anatomical or functional abnormalities of bones and/or joints by surgery like total knee replacement, casting, and bracing. He also treats injuries to the bones surgically.
While Rheumatologists treat joint diseases medically, Orthopedician treat joint disease surgically.
Manipal Hospital Jaipur has both the best Rheumatologist doctor in Jaipur and the best Orthopaedic doctor in Jaipur.
The main Signs & Symptoms are:
Pain and swelling in the joints
Morning stiffness in the joints lasting more than 30 minutes
Pain and morning stiffness in the neck and lower back
Deformity of hands, knees and feet
Rashes over face and body
Dryness of eye and mouth
Unexplained fever, fatigue, weight loss
Diffuse body and muscle pain
Muscle weakness
Psoriasis with arthritis
Osteoporosis
The main causes are:
Environmental and Lifestyle Factors: Obesity, Diabetes, Hypertension, Smoking, Alcohol intake, Sedentary lifestyle, Air pollution
Genetic: Many have family history positive
Female sex: More common in females due to the increase in oestrogen hormone
All the above-mentioned factors have a complex interaction in the body resulting in autoimmune diseases. Thus get a regular check-up by an arthritis specialist in Jaipur.
Paediatric patients
Rheumatic diseases are now being increasingly seen in children and adolescents whose early identification is required to prevent further damage. Symptoms of Paediatric Rheumatic diseases are mostly similar to Adult Rheumatic diseases.
Young to Middle-aged patients
Other Rheumatic diseases like SLE, Sjogren’s syndrome, Ankylosing spondylitis, Rheumatoid arthritis are seen predominantly in young to middle-aged patients.
Middle to Old aged patients
Initially, it was thought that osteoarthritis affected patients for more than 60 years but now many cases are seen in patients between 30 to 50 years
Investigations:
Blood Investigations: Routine blood tests, ESR, C-Reactive protein, Rheumatoid factor, Anti-CCP antibody, ANA, Serum Uric acid
Radiological Investigations: X- rays of different joints according to the involvement, MRI and CT scan (where required)
Procedures:
Synovial Fluid Aspiration from a joint: Used for symptomatic relief and for diagnosing septic arthritis, done by the Rheumatologist.
Skin Biopsy: Biopsy of skin ulcer or rash required in some cases for diagnosis, done by the Rheumatologist.
To know more ask one of the best arthritis doctors in Jaipur.
Prevention:
Healthy diet and lifestyle:
Salt-restricted, low-calorie diet
A diet rich in calcium and fruits
Weight reduction
Avoid smoking and alcohol intake
Regular exercise and Physiotherapy
Treatment:
Regular intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs as advised by the Rheumatologist
Intra-articular injection of steroids for single joint involvement or involvement of two joints
Newer drugs called ‘Biologics’ have been proven to provide significant symptomatic relief and for retarding the disease progression