Make a custom one pager for Rheumatologists

Your doctor refers you to a rheumatologist when he or she suspects you have a systemic, autoimmune condition, says Dr. Ganti. These are diseases in which your immune system is attacking your own body. In the process, inflammation occurs in different organ systems within the body, leading to a variety of symptoms.

A rheumatologist is a board-certified internist (a physician of internal medicine) or pediatrician who is qualified by additional training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones, including those that are inflammatory and autoimmune in nature.

Important Questions to Ask Your Rheumatologist Does this sound like an autoimmune condition? Why are you ordering these tests for me? What is my diagnosis? Ive been diagnosed with a new condition―what can I expect moving forward? Ive been recommended to start a new therapy―what can I expect moving forward?

How To Prepare for Your Rheumatology Appointment When did the symptoms start, and how has it evolved? What makes it better or worse? How do you feel in the mornings? If you feel worse in the mornings, how long does it take to get you feeling better? Do you have any joint swelling? What other symptoms have you had?

Symptoms of rheumatic disease include: Dermatitis. Dry eyes. Dry mouth. Fatigue. Hair loss (alopecia). Inflammation in the lining of the lungs. Itching. Muscle weakness.

Rheumatic diseases are sometimes complex and difficult to diagnose, so rheumatologists will gather a complete medical history and perform a physical exam to look for signs and symptoms that may give clues to the cause of the problem. Family history can be very important in diagnosing rheumatic diseases.

Your doctor will examine your joints for swelling, tenderness and other signs of inflammation. Finding where and how you hurt is important because different types of arthritis affect different parts of the body and may come with other symptoms, such as a rash or eye inflammation. Lab tests.

A rheumatology visit often starts with a physical exam. Your doctor will examine your joints, muscles, and bones for signs like swelling, stiffness, and pain. They may ask you to move joints like your wrists, shoulders, or hips to see if youve lost any range of motion.