What is Rheumatology & arthritis ? Who is a Rheumatologist?

What is Rheumatology?

Rheumatology is a field of medicine, which deals with diseases having joint pain, arthritis and other related symptoms. It derives its origin from word ‘rheumatism’, which means anything related to joint or body pain.

What is Arthritis?
Arthritis means joint pain associated with some signs of inflammation (redness, warmth and swelling). All joint pains are not arthritis. All joint pains are not arthritis. Most rheumatology diseases are a particular type of arthritis. However, depending on disease type, they can affect any organ of the body. Thus, they can be serious diseases too. They even affect children and young people. Rheumatic diseases most commonly affect joints, but depending on type of disease they can affect any organ in the body.
Some common rheumatology diseases are :
Psoriatic arthritis
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE / Lupus)
  • Scleroderma
  • Myositis
  • Vasculitis
Rheumatology diseases are autoimmune diseases
Rheumatic diseases are often autoimmune in nature. Autoimmune diseases are diseases, where a part of one’s own immune system automatically starts acting against itself. It is unknown why this ‘auto’ ‘immune’ activation causes problems only in a few. Note, it is not the low immunity, but overactive immunity, which is the problem. Overactive immunity loves to hit joints, this is why most rheumatic diseases have arthritis. Rheumatic diseases have overactive immunity causing problems to one’s own body. Joints are most commonly hit by this. Do you have arthritis ? Are you looking for best oil / gel for joints pains ? Read more on link below Which is best oil / gel for arthritis / joint pains ?
Who is a Rheumatologist?
A rheumatologist is a physician doctor, who is specially trained to investigate & treat various types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases with medicines. They are also commonly known as ‘joint pain or arthritis’ doctors. They are different from orthopaedic doctors, who are surgeons. However, both types of doctors need to work together, at times, to treat some patients. It is necessary to start treatment early if you suffer from rheumatic illness. As immunity is overactive in these diseases, the medicines used to treat these diseases regulate and sometimes suppress the immune system. Early effective treatment helps prevent serious joint damage and can help save life in serious rheumatic disease. Early treatment in rheumatic diseases prevents joint damage, deformities and helps avoid joint replacement surgeries. Do you have any queries regarding rheumatology or your arthritis disease? Kindly contact us. We will get back to you in 72 hours.

Author: Dr Nilesh Nolkha, Rheumatologist
Dr Nilesh Nolkha is a rheumatologist who strongly believes in patient education and empowering patients to make rational treatment decisions. He is a practicing rheumatology consultant in Wockhardt hospital, Mumbai.

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