While cures for rheumatic diseases are not yet available, rheumatology is providing patients in the Salt Lake City area with a much greater range of treatment and effective management options.
Conditions and Diseases
Rheumatology is a specialized medical field involved in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of rheumatic diseases. These are diseases that attack the musculoskeletal system and are classified as systemic autoimmune disorders.
In other words, these doctors, who are typically internists or pediatricians, assists patients in controlling and limiting the damage to their body caused by the immune system. The immune system misreads signals in the body and attacks otherwise healthy cells including those in the joints, bones, eyes, skin and the nervous system.
In some cases, the internal organs may also be impacted. General inflammation creates pain, joint immobility and stiffness, loss of mobility and range of motion, as well as swelling.
Common conditions that will prompt a referral to the rheumatology department include gout, lupus, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma. Other chronic types of inflammatory conditions of the muscles, joints or musculoskeletal system, may also be treated by these medical specialists.
Asking for a Referral
While many primary care physicians will make a referral to a rheumatologist if an autoimmune health condition is suspected, patients in Salt Lake City may also make a request to their doctor for the referral.
A good reason to ask for a referral is when there is a known family history. Some patients may want to be checked out for any early signs of the development of the condition, or to work with the rheumatologist on a prevention plan.
Testing and Diagnosis
Diagnosis of autoimmune conditions can be complex, and the rheumatologist may request several different tests to help narrow down the possible health issues and get an accurate diagnosis.
Depending on the findings, the rheumatologist will recommend various medications, therapies, changes in diet and lifestyle, and even the use of transcutaneous electrical stimulation or TENS to treat the early signs of arthritis and chronic pain issues. For some patients, joint replacement may be recommended, but surgery is not the only option that patients in Salt Lake City will have to consider.
