What Is Rheumatology?
What rheumatologists actually do, when to see one, and why women and minority patients so often go undiagnosed.
Rheumatology is a branch of medicine devoted to diagnosing and treating autoimmune diseases and musculoskeletal disorders. As a rheumatologist, I investigate underlying conditions where cytokines or autoantibodies attack the organs and joints, and I examine joints, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and bone.
One difficult truth of the specialty: a diagnosis is not always made on the first visit or even on subsequent visits. It can take time for an autoimmune disease to fully declare itself. Each immune system is unique and responds differently to triggers like viruses, medications, and environmental exposures. Often in women, general symptoms of fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain get dismissed as aging, depression, or a viral illness.
Consider seeing a rheumatologist for: prolonged joint swelling, pain, or redness; reduced joint mobility; muscle weakness or pain; bone pain; tendon or ligament injury; prolonged unexplained fatigue or 'flu-like' symptoms; abnormal labs (ANA, RF, dsDNA); or other systemic symptoms like rash, sun sensitivity, brain fog, oral or nasal ulcers, Raynaud's, dry eyes or mouth, or unexplained cardiac and pulmonary symptoms.
If you're living with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, osteoarthritis, scleroderma, or Sjögren's, you are in the right place. Women and minority populations are disproportionately affected by these conditions and should be aware of comorbidities like heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
Dr. Maggie Cadet, MD