Many people think that bone and joint pain occurs only when they get old. It is not true. Even children could suffer from arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and other conditions that can cause severe bone and joint pain and that will adversely affect their daily lives. Various statistics are proofs that millions of children around the world are suffering from pediatric rheumatology. In this article, we will talk more about pediatric rheumatology; its causes, symptoms, and treatment.
What Is Pediatric Rheumatology?
If your children are experiencing severe pain in their joints, muscles, tendons, or bones, you should let a pediatric rheumatologist check your child. A pediatric rheumatologist can diagnose and develop a treatment plan for health issues such as juvenile arthritis, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory disorders, and chronic musculoskeletal pain, etc.
It is an umbrella as it is used to describe both autoimmune and inflammatory disorders that affect the joints of children under the age of 16. Many scientists believe that juvenile arthritis is caused by infections, genetics, or other environmental triggers. Since there is no known cure for the condition, most of the treatment plans involve decreasing the inflammation and controlling the pain.
Pediatric Rheumatology Symptoms
Depending on the joints and the part of the body affected, there are different types of juvenile arthritis with symptoms including:
- Joint pain
- Swelling in the joints
- Fever
- Eye pain
- Blurred vision
- Joint stiffness
Diagnosis Of Pediatric Rheumatology
Diagnosing pediatric rheumatology can be very difficult if the doctor does not get the exact information on what is going on with your child. Since there is no blood test to tell which type of arthritis your child is suffering from, doctors diagnose the type of arthritis by doing a detailed physical exam and checking the medical history of your child. When you visit the doctor with your child, make sure to give all the necessary information about what is going on with your child.
Role Of A Pediatric Rheumatologist
A pediatric rheumatologist is a specialist who treats several autoimmune and inflammatory disorders in children. In addition to the 4 years of medical school, they also have a total of three years of experience in general pediatric residency training. A pediatric rheumatologist works with your family’s pediatrician to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a variety of disorders that are related to joint, muscle, and bone.
Pediatric rheumatologists come up with a treatment plan based on different factors, including body chemistry, type of arthritis, and the severity of pain, etc. The treatment mostly includes a combination of medicine, exercise, and physical therapy.
