Rheumatology is a direction in medicine that deals with the study of pathologies of joints and connective tissues. Each pathology has a number of infectious, autoimmune, inflammatory causes, from genetic predisposition to hormonal disorders. Rheumatologists study the causal relationships that affect the development of diseases, develop new methods for their diagnosis and treatment.
One third of the entire population suffers from rheumatic diseases at some period of life. These are people of different age and gender. Although, due to hormonal and other reasons, women get sick 20% more often.
When do I need a rheumatologist consultation?
If you have joint pain or other complaints of a rheumatic nature, then you need to consult an experienced rheumatologist.
In order for the doctor to have more information about the patient’s well-being, it is advisable to have with you the results of blood and urine tests at the first appointment. But for a clear diagnosis of complex pathology, this might not be enough. In this case, the doctor prescribes an additional examination: laboratory diagnostics, ultrasound examination, X-ray, CT or consultation with doctors of related specialties. In ADONIS you can go through all modern diagnostic procedures quickly, without queues and at convenient time.
Signs of rheumatic diseases
Rheumatic diseases develop gradually and can be latent chronic. Unfortunately, patients do not always go to the doctor at the slightest discomfort in the joints. Painful sensations can be long-lasting enough before a person starts treatment.
Depending on the intensity of painful sensations and their influence on patient’s usual life, rheumatologists describe 4 degrees of the disease:
- 1 degree – mild pain, for example, with overwork, which does not limit the functional activity of a person;
- 2 degree – pain can be tolerated, but it affects professional activity;
- 3 degree – constant painful sensations in the joints disturb sleep, limit not only professional, but also daily activities;
- 4 degree – constant pain, worsening even with the slightest touch, limits self-care.
Any painful sensations, swelling, redness in the joints, periarticular muscles, bones, tendons indicate the presence of diseases of a rheumatic nature. They entail many inconveniences, affecting not only range of motion, but quality of life and life expectancy in general.
Symptoms of rheumatic diseases:
- Deformation of joints of the arms and legs
- Pain on pressure
- Swelling, redness, burning sensation
- Limited joint mobility
- Muscle lesions
- General loss of strength, malaise, weakness
Associated with rheumatic diseases, heart murmurs, arrhythmias and heart failure can occur. Also, the body temperature may rise, renal failure and other complications may occur.
In order not to aggravate the situation, it is advisable not to ignore the primary symptoms. The earlier a person seeks professional help, the easier the treatment will be.
What diseases are treated by a rheumatologist?
The range of diseases treated by ADONIS rheumatologists is quite wide. They are initially divided into degenerative, inflammatory and non-inflammatory pathologies.
Degenerative joint diseases – damage to the cartilage tissue of the articular surfaces. These chronic forms of the disease are common among men and women over 55:
- arthrosis
- osteoarthritis
Inflammatory diseases – the inflammatory process leads to tissue damage. The most common are:
- rheumatoid and reactive arthritis
- systemic disease of connective tissue
- ankylosing spondylitis – inflammation of the joints of the spine
- rheumatic fever
- bursitis
- periarthritis
Non-inflammatory diseases of soft tissues:
- osteoarthritis
- osteoporosis
- gout
- fibromyalgia
Rheumatic pathologies are very difficult to treat. Therefore, if painful sensations arise, do not hesitate to visit the rheumatology clinic. It will be easier for ADONIS specialists to achieve long-lasting remission.
Diagnostics of rheumatic diseases
At the consultation, a rheumatologist evaluates the patient’s health and determines whether additional examination is required.
In the department of rheumatology, modern laboratory and instrumental research methods are used for diagnostics.
Among them:
- Ultrasound diagnostics
- X-ray
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Echocardiogram (ultrasound examination of the heart)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Laboratory diagnostics (blood tests, urine tests, rheumatic tests, determination of immunoglobulins, immunoserological studies).
Treatment of rheumatic diseases
There is no universal method of treatment of rheumatic pathologies. Rheumatologists use the most effective methods: pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, endoscopic interventions.
When using therapeutic treatment, specialists use symptomatic, anti-inflammatory and hormonal drugs, intra-articular injections. They relieve pain and inhibit the destruction of tissues and cells.
In case of severe destruction of large joints, rheumatologists of the clinic carry out surgical treatment. They have extensive experience in performing knee and hip arthroplasty, arthrosis treatment operations and others.
Benefits of treating rheumatic diseases at the ADONIS clinic:
- Innovative treatment methods
- Professional experienced rheumatologists
- Own laboratory that allows to conduct a wide range of research
- The latest methods of instrumental diagnostics (CT, X-ray)
- Modern endoscopic surgery
- Comfortable stay in a 24-hour hospital