Seeing a specialist can be always beneficial to diagnose your condition properly. You have to select the right specialist based on the health condition you are suffering from or your primary healthcare provider can refer you to the right specialist based on your symptoms and ailments. Some specialists you might be familiar with include cardiologists, dermatologists, neurologists, oncologists, pediatricians, orthopedic doctors, etc.
Another important specialist you should be aware of is the rheumatologist who is specialized in treating diseases that affects your joints, bones, and muscles. A rheumatologist is able to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions including different forms of arthritis.
If you experience persistent and severe pain in your joints or muscles, then visiting a rheumatology clinic can be beneficial for you, as they can conduct different rheumatology tests to diagnose the right condition you are suffering from.
It might not be always possible for your primary healthcare provider to properly diagnose the conditions that affect your joints, as the symptoms of these conditions can be similar. But a rheumatologist can easily identify the condition by analyzing the symptoms and conducting some tests.
There are certain circumstances when seeing a rheumatologist is important. Some of them are listed below:
You Have Been Diagnosed With Arthritis, Autoimmune Disorders, Or Other Rheumatic Diseases
A rheumatologist will be trained to diagnose more than 100 forms of arthritis and he/she can prescribe the right medications, treatments, and lifestyle changes for you to cope up with these conditions.
Some of the important forms of arthritis that a rheumatologist can diagnose include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis, etc.
Apart from arthritis, a rheumatologist is trained to treat a wide range of other conditions including lupus, gout, bursitis, tendinitis, and other musculoskeletal or autoimmune disorders. So if you are diagnosed with any of these conditions, then it is better to see a rheumatologist.
You Have Severe Joint Pain And Swelling
Persistent pain, inflammation, and swelling in your joints can be a sign of arthritis or other similar conditions. So if you have these problems, seeing a rheumatologist might be helpful.
Your Primary Healthcare Provider Can’t Diagnose Your Condition
It can be difficult to diagnose the type of arthritis or autoimmune disorders you are suffering from, as their symptoms can mimic each other. So you will need the help of a rheumatologist to precisely diagnose your illness.
If your primary healthcare provider cannot diagnose your condition, he/she will refer you to a rheumatologist who can conduct different tests to find out what your illness is.
