How to treat rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis belongs to a group of diseases commonly called collagenoses. The peculiarity of this disease is that there are no specifically identified causes of its occurrence. Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to result from an overreaction of a person's immune system to an infection. As a result of this reaction, the immune system destroys the connective tissue of the joints, as well as other internal human organs. It is these changes in the body that are called rheumatoid arthritis.
Stages of rheumatoid arthritis
The question of how to treat rheumatoid arthritis concerns every person who is faced with this disease. The main condition for a quick recovery is timely and correct treatment. This disease is characterized by rather complex symptoms, which is why it is very important to start treatment as quickly as possible in order to avoid serious consequences.
The main principle of treating such a disease is the elimination of pathological manifestations in the tissues adjacent to the joints, as well as the restoration of the damaged area. As already mentioned, rheumatoid arthritis is accompanied by complex and pronounced symptoms, such as pain and swelling in the affected area, damage to internal organs, heart failure and even bleeding may also occur.
The principle of treating such a disease is an integrated approach, that is, it should include the following stages:
Despite extensive treatment, it is impossible to completely get rid of rheumatoid arthritis. This is due to the fact that once this disease has manifested itself, it can periodically make itself felt. But if the patient responds to the symptoms in a timely manner and correctly treats this disease, then it will not be able to affect the quality of his life.
Timely treatment will not only help you cope with this disease faster, but will eliminate the possibility of complications. It is also very important to remember that the treatment of this disease should be considered by a specialist, since the course of treatment involves taking quite serious medications.
That is why, at the first manifestation of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, you need to consult a doctor as soon as possible to receive qualified help.
Often, medications from different pharmaceutical groups are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, and all of them are equally important for effective treatment. The first are drugs of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory group.
These drugs are necessary to eliminate inflammatory processes in the body. With the help of such medications, you can reduce pain and swelling, as well as normalize the functions of the damaged joint. The second drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis are steroid hormones, or corticosteroids as they are also called.
As for the action of such drugs, they also have an anti-inflammatory effect, and also reduce the level of permeability of the vascular walls. They can be used both in tablets and by injection. The third group of drugs are basic drugs; they are simply necessary because they inhibit the increased effect of the immune system on damaged areas.
Considering the fact that all of the above drugs negatively affect the functioning of human internal organs, along with them it is simply necessary to take medications that will help normalize the functioning of the organs. Such drugs are prescribed on the basis of an examination, since each drug is responsible for restoring the functioning of a specific internal organ.
Therapeutic massage and physiotherapeutic procedures in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are necessary to enhance the effect of drug treatment. Thanks to this type of treatment, you can strengthen muscle tissue, improve blood circulation and get rid of inflammation faster.
Physiotherapy for arthritis
Such procedures as phonophoresis, amplipulse, ozokerite and more are considered especially effective. But any physiotherapeutic procedures are contraindicated if rheumatoid arthritis is acute. At this stage, the best treatment option would be systematic exercise.
The effectiveness of physiotherapeutic procedures, as well as massage, depends on the regularity of their implementation. It is especially important that all procedures are carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor, since at the first stage of such treatment you need to learn how to breathe correctly. For patients with the active stage of development of the disease, therapeutic exercises consist of treatment in a lying position.
Of course, proper and balanced nutrition is important for a person with any disease, including rheumatoid arthritis. With this disease, you need to minimize the consumption of fatty and high-calorie foods. This is due to the fact that the patient needs to get rid of excess weight as much as possible, as this will help reduce the load on the affected joints.
It is very important to exclude foods such as white bread, pastries, pasta and potatoes from your diet. In addition, you need to reduce your consumption of foods that can cause allergic reactions. These products include eggs, honey, and citrus fruits. Spicy, salty and fried foods are also contraindicated during treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and, of course, alcohol consumption should be excluded.
For patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, ideal foods are cereals, bran bread, fruits and vegetables, with the exception of contraindications. As for products of animal origin, the consumption of fish, as well as lean meats, is allowed; it is recommended to steam these products. It is very important that the patient eats at least five times throughout the day, but the portions should be small.
Traditional medicine has always been considered very effective for various diseases. It is also very actively practiced for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The advantage of folk remedies is that they can be prepared at home, and they are absolutely harmless to the body.
For this disease, compresses and rubs prepared at home are especially effective. Recipes for such preparations may include nettle and birch leaves, red clover, mustard powder, violet herbs, paraffin, and so on.
Traditional methods of treating arthrosis
In order for folk remedies to be effective and beneficial, their use must be agreed upon with a doctor. In addition, it is worth taking into account the physiological characteristics of the patient, since some people may have allergic reactions to certain components of the drug.
It is especially important to remember that traditional medicine should be used as an auxiliary technique. That is, it cannot replace drug treatment, it can enhance its effect. Therefore, even when using folk remedies, the patient should not stop the main course of treatment prescribed by the doctor.
In order to avoid the occurrence of a disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle and eat right.
Arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. The inflammatory process of the joints is expressed in swelling of the joints, redness of the skin and the appearance of severe pain, often appearing at night. The disease affects the entire body, often affecting the heart, liver or kidneys. Therefore, you need to know which doctor treats arthritis so that if primary symptoms occur, contact him for appropriate treatment.
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The disease can most often progress in two forms: in the chronic and acute phase. The cause can be any pathological disease. At the initial stage, arthritis is easier to treat than in its advanced form. Therefore, it is important to seek help from a medical facility.
It is not difficult to suspect the onset of the disease; over a certain period, the joints begin to ache, and it can be difficult to make any movements with the arm or leg. You feel a loss of strength and your temperature may rise.
Reasons why arthritis occurs:
It is necessary to find out the cause of the disease in order to stop the inflammatory process and take measures to restore motor function.
Few people know which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis (read what the difference is between the diseases), so they do not go to a medical facility. When symptoms of the disease occur, you need to make an appointment with an arthrologist. His competence includes the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of joint diseases. When contacting, the doctor examines the medical history and prescribes the following examinations:
But here a problem may arise, because not every clinic has a specialist with such qualifications. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult your GP for advice. If signs of arthritis appear in a child, a pediatrician will help. After examining the general condition of the patient, the therapist (pediatrician for the child) will give a referral to other doctors so that they can confirm the diagnosis according to their qualifications.
Typically, in hospitals, three doctors treat joints at once:
In mild cases, when joint pain is short-lived, contact a rheumatologist immediately. Once diagnosed with arthritis, he will prescribe systematic treatment. If acute and severe pain occurs that is prolonged, contact a surgeon. In some cases, surgical intervention is required to treat the disease. The surgery involves injecting a synthetic lubricant into the affected area and may also involve inserting dentures. In this case, consultation and treatment will be required not only from a surgeon, but also from a traumatologist and physiotherapist.
For prolonged pain syndromes, consult an orthopedist. This specialist will help you choose special products to wear. With their help, it will be easier to move and reduce the load on sore joints.
Which doctor should I see for rheumatoid arthritis? This disease is treated by a rheumatologist. You also need to consult an immunologist, because the disease affects autoimmune reactions.
You should know! Several doctors may be involved in diagnosing and treating arthritis. Everyone provides advice on their own area.
The disease can affect other organs and cause their pathology. If there is pain in the heart, you need to consult a cardiologist. To assess the condition of the affected joints, a radiologist or ultrasound specialist will help. They will provide an interpretation of the images, which will make the work easier for doctors whose competence includes the treatment of arthritis.
It is not difficult to completely restore JOINTS! The most important thing is to rub this into the sore spot 2-3 times a day.
After examining the patient, the doctor treating arthritis prescribes comprehensive treatment. Often, after appropriate treatment, remission and recovery occur.
Arthritis treatment methods:
Anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics are prescribed to relieve the inflammatory process and alleviate the patient’s condition. Also for arthritis, medicinal ointments and gels that have a cooling effect are used. They relieve pain symptoms. At an advanced stage of the disease, they turn to a surgeon. If treatment is impossible, the diseased joint is replaced with artificial materials.
If you have joint disease, it is important to eat right. The diet should include fruits, vegetables, cereals, cottage cheese, and dairy products. Avoid spicy, fatty, salty foods, meat and offal from the diet.
The doctor may prescribe electrophoresis, treatment with mud and paraffin. If the knee joint is inflamed, the doctor will recommend wearing orthopedic devices: a cane, a knee brace, a bandage. To improve immunity, vitamin complexes are prescribed.
Along with drug treatment, folk remedies are used. An arthrologist or rheumatologist will help you choose them. Usually these are warming baths with salt, compresses and taking decoctions of medicinal herbs.
Important! In severe cases of arthritis, the use of warm compresses is prohibited.
Before using folk remedies, you should consult your doctor.
In case of illness, the first port of call is the general practitioner. The doctor will spend time to determine if the disease is suspected. He will give you a referral to a doctor, so you don’t have to look for the right doctor.
There are downsides to seeing a therapist. The first and main thing is the doctor’s workload. It’s difficult to make an appointment, it’s a waste of time. It's easier to go to someone who specializes in your type of arthritis.
The need to go to a therapist disappears if you know which specialist to contact. It's worth going to the doctors:
The choice of doctor depends on the specifics of the disease.
Treatment that distributes the functions of different doctors is effective; arthritis manifests itself at different levels. An individual doctor takes care of something individual. This applies to arthritis caused by diseases: inflammation of the knee joint is caused by injury, you should consult a traumatologist. The choice of whom to turn to for advice should be determined this way.
Arthritis often affects internal organs: heart, kidneys, excretory system. Consultation and observation of a doctor who deals with the affected organs is necessary.
It is more often believed that a rheumatologist works with joint problems. Prescribes a course of treatment and ensures that it proceeds correctly. A rheumatologist is consulted if rheumatoid arthritis is suspected.
Contact a rheumatologist if symptoms appear:
If rheumatoid arthritis is not diagnosed in time, then a rheumatologist will not be able to help: you will have to undergo clinical treatment, which is long and tedious. Advanced stages often involve surgery. To reduce the risk, doctors recommend that after 30 years of age, you should be regularly examined by a rheumatologist in order to prevent pathological processes and aging from affecting the body and limbs.
When contacting a surgeon, the emphasis is on the work of the connective tissues included in the joint. He is undergoing outpatient treatment and is under constant surgical supervision. Often, surgeons are consulted after visiting a rheumatologist: the rheumatologist has diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis of the knee joint. To establish a diagnosis, you need to carry out a number of procedures:
Most procedures are performed under the supervision of a surgeon.
Contact us when procedures do not help and surgery is necessary. More often this is done using an intra-articular probe. If arthritis of the knee joint is diagnosed, then the knee is operated on. There is a risk of installing a prosthesis.
The doctor removes the tissue of the affected joint, after which a course of rehabilitation is prescribed. The rehabilitation is carried out by an orthopedic surgeon.
If you go for a consultation with a surgeon right away, it will confuse him and confuse the cards. Therefore, patients with suspected arthritis are not recommended to consult a surgeon.
It’s not worth contacting an orthopedist first; it’s a waste of time. More often, the patient turns to an orthopedist after completing the main course of treatment. Having cured conditional rheumatoid arthritis, the patient is removed from the rheumatologist’s register and registered with an orthopedist. He will ensure that the joints function and recover correctly so that no complications arise.
There are such advanced forms of arthritis that a rheumatologist is unable to help. In this case, they turn to an orthopedist, who will weigh how much the joints are deformed, which is necessary for treatment.
The causes of arthritis vary from heredity to injury. If you fall and hurt your knee, you are at risk of knee arthritis. It is worth contacting a traumatologist.
The doctor will eliminate the consequences of the injury and refer you to a rheumatologist. The underlying cause of arthritis disappears, making treatment easier.
An arthrologist is a narrow specialization, rare; the doctor deals with arthritis, including joints. It’s hard to find an arthrologist in a big city, and even more so in a small city.
Often an arthrologist is found in a paid clinic; you will have to pay a lot of money for a consultation. If you really have arthritis, after visiting an arthrologist you will not have to consult other doctors. The arthrologist will prescribe a course of treatment, prescribe medications and give the necessary directions.
If you are aware of your diagnosis, you are likely familiar with home pain management remedies such as ice, heat packs, pain relievers, and rest. These are all helpful in relieving symptoms, but not enough. You must make an appointment in the following cases:
It is advisable not to risk your life and visit a doctor at the first signs of arthritis. You cannot postpone a visit to the clinic if, having arthritis, the patient was injured in a competition or in a fall. In case of fever and sudden inability to move, a doctor is called to the house. A fever can be a sign of infection, which is a serious problem if you already have arthritis in your joints. Timely diagnosis and antibacterial therapy are required.
Mandatory visits to the doctor apply to those patients who have not been helped by the prescribed treatment, pain has worsened after using strong anti-inflammatory drugs, or adverse reactions to prescribed medications have occurred.
It is important to consult a doctor who can diagnose joint disease and determine the type of pathology. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, all of which occur for different reasons, and treatment is prescribed depending on the type of disease. Therefore, a comprehensive examination and appropriate diagnostic tests are required. Diagnosis is carried out not by one doctor, but by a group of specialists. First of all, get a referral to a therapist. The therapist is a highly qualified general specialist.
At the appointment, the doctor asks the patient to tell him about the characteristics of the disease. The following questions are often received:
After studying the patient's history and family history, the doctor examines the injured area (knee, shoulder, hip, fingers). The therapist prescribes more effective, effective painkillers. It is possible to prescribe a sleeping pill if the pain bothers you at night, which is why the victim does not get enough sleep. If you suspect arthritis, which doctor will your GP refer you to? Next, the doctor gives a referral to the following specialists:
The doctors listed have different functions. The need to visit them depends on the causes of arthritis. For example, if you have a knee injury, you make an appointment with a traumatologist.
Arthritis occurs for various reasons. If the patient falls unsuccessfully or is injured, after which the inflammatory process starts, the therapist refers the victim to a traumatologist. Responsibilities of the doctor: diagnosis, treatment of deformities of bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons. An orthopedist-traumatologist specializes in restoring lost joint functions. The doctor eliminates the consequences of the injury and gives a referral to a rheumatologist or arthrologist.
An arthrologist is a highly specialized specialist; the doctor’s activities are aimed at combating any problems related to the joints. He is taught the skills of treatment, diagnosis, and prevention. Finding an arthrologist is usually difficult; such doctors work in paid clinics. If it is not there, then you can visit a rheumatologist, whose competence includes the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue diseases, and monitoring the progress of treatment. Rheumatologists collaborate with orthopedists and physiotherapists.
After the examination, the rheumatologist refers the victim to a surgeon if he believes that the patient’s bones and connective tissue are severely damaged. With the help of some surgical diagnostic methods, it is possible to make an accurate diagnosis, identify the causative agent of the disease, and the degree of development. Existing diagnostic methods:
It is possible that the procedures will not be performed by the surgeon himself, but under his supervision. In severe cases of pathology, the surgeon prescribes arthrography, arthroscopy, radioisotope studies, thermography, biopsy, and bone densitometry. The surgeon's competence includes removing tissue from the affected area, replacing a joint, treating purulent arthritis, and performing operations of any kind.
In addition to the above doctors, a chiropractor (massage therapist), a physiotherapist, a yoga teacher, an infectious disease specialist, and an endoscopist also participate in the treatment of arthritis.
It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of which doctor treats arthritis. Several specialists deal with pathology at once, each of whom is more in demand for one or another variant of the disease.
In some cases, consultation with related specialists is required. If a person does not know which doctor to see, he can go to a therapist who treats general somatic diseases and will write out the necessary referral.
There are many variations of joint inflammation, so before treating arthritis, the doctor conducts a comprehensive examination of the patient to make an accurate diagnosis.
When the first signs of the disease appear, you must immediately contact a specialist who can correctly diagnose and prescribe therapy. First you need to decide which doctor treats arthritis and who to go to to get help. If this is your first time experiencing this problem, you should contact your GP. The specialist will prescribe a comprehensive medical examination and tests, based on the results of which he will refer you to a doctor with a more specialized profile.
IMPORTANT! Before starting treatment, it is necessary to find out the cause of the disease and differentiate arthritis from other diseases.
Arthrosis is an age-related disease that results in joint deformation. The disease affects only the joint membrane; the rest of the body does not suffer from this disease. Most often, arthrosis affects the hip and knee joints, as well as the joints of the big toes. The pain is not severe and appears after physical activity or movement. Therefore, patients do not rush to see a doctor, but begin to self-medicate. Very often the disease is advanced arthritis.
ATTENTION! Self-medication can further aggravate the disease.
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects not only the joints, but the entire body as a whole. Most often the kidneys, heart, and liver are affected. The disease can begin to manifest itself at a fairly young age - after 30 years. Inflammation is expressed in joint swelling, redness and severe pain that worsens at night. This inflammatory process is explained by the presence of an infection or a malfunction of the immune system, which directs all forces against its own body.
Among the types of arthritis, the most common are: rheumatoid, arthritis of the lower extremities, in particular, arthritis of the knee joint and foot, as well as arthritis of the fingers. A doctor who treats these diseases can distinguish between arthritis and arthrosis.
IMPORTANT! If arthritis of the lower extremities is treated incorrectly, complications may arise in the form of gonarthrosis or coxarthrosis.
IMPORTANT! During treatment, it is necessary to reduce the load on the diseased joints as much as possible: long walking and heavy lifting are excluded.
Physiotherapeutic procedures include:
IMPORTANT! All activities are carried out during the remission process. For arthritis of the foot, exercises are performed only in a lying position.
Special energy-absorbing shoes should have hard or convex soles.
An important aspect of treating arthritis is proper nutrition. A nutritionist will help you create the right daily diet, which will include vegetables, fruits, cereals cooked in water, as well as foods rich in calcium. It is better to avoid eating fatty, salty foods, meat, and offal.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a joint disease that is prone to progression and chronicity. It is very difficult to treat, leaving behind irreversible changes in the joints, as well as damage to internal organs. It can occur both in children (called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) and in adulthood. Women get sick more often, but their disease is a little milder.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a joint disease
Unlike rheumatism, which is a process triggered by the bacterium streptococcus, the causes of this disease are not completely clear. The following predisposing factors are noted:
X-ray of rheumatoid arthritis
In the lining of the joint, blood circulation at the level of the capillaries is disrupted, because of this, the cells that form the joint capsule suffer. More often, the damage begins with the knee joint, then other, large and small joints are affected. The lesion is symmetrical, but this is not always immediately visible and may appear from the second week.
In response to such changes in cells, altered antibodies are formed - class G immunoglobulins, but since they are changed, antibodies are also formed to them - anti-immunoglobulins G (they are called “rheumatoid factor”). The latter antibodies act destructively on the joint capsule - their inflammation and arthritis develop. The body's immune response is triggered in such a way that the joint tissues become covered with cells that interfere with the normal flow of metabolic processes in the joint.
A striking example of rheumatoid arthritis
The disease can begin in different ways, depending on which there are several forms. Often a person associates the onset of the disease with severe stress or an infectious disease. At first, there may be a prodromal period, when the disease has not yet fully manifested itself, and during the examination nothing may be visible. Manifestations at this stage look like morning stiffness in the joints, when there is still no pain, but for a short amount of time in the morning it is difficult to straighten any of the joints.
Joint pain may appear soon, usually in the morning, and tend to subside in the evening. Sometimes, especially in young children, pain in the joint is accompanied by a rise in temperature to high numbers, the appearance of a rash very similar to an allergic one, and an increase in a large number of lymph nodes.
Signs of rheumatoid arthritis
When asked whether rheumatoid arthritis can be cured, official medicine gives the following answer: “Perhaps in 80% of cases if treatment is started early and aggressive.” That is, you can be cured if the drugs are not selected from simple to complex, but the tactics of using the most effective therapy are immediately adopted. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, it is mandatory to use cytostatics (methotrexate, imuran and others) at the very beginning of the disease.
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis should also be comprehensive; not only taking medications is important, but also exercise therapy and physiotherapy.
Medicines used in treatment
You can use these products at home.
Treatment with folk remedies
It is not worth treating with folk remedies alone
It’s just not worthwhile to be treated with folk remedies, since they do not act on the mechanism of immune autoaggression itself, but only stimulate the body’s defenses, relieve pain and inflammation.
Arthritis and arthrosis are inflammatory diseases that affect the joints. At first glance, it may seem that they are very similar - in both cases, the joint tissue is affected, pain, an unpleasant crunch, and stiffness of movement appear. Despite the similarity of names and similarity of symptoms, these are different diseases that require different approaches to treatment.
Differential diagnosis includes:
Depending on the symptoms and diagnostic results, the patient is referred to a rheumatologist, nutritionist, orthopedist, surgeon, traumatologist or arthrologist.
The disease can develop very slowly (chronic form) or quickly and unexpectedly (acute phase). The cause can be any pathological process in our body. That is why it is very important to seek help from a specialist and find out which doctor treats the disease.
Medical research identifies several main causes of arthritis:
The main therapy is aimed at relieving pain, inflammation, restoring motor function, and identifying the cause of the disease. Often, after treatment of the underlying disease, remission and complete recovery occur.
The classic treatment regimen for arthritis of any etiology includes:
IMPORTANT! Treatment with folk remedies is allowed, but only during a lull in the disease.
Nonsteroidal drugs, antibiotics, and chondroprotectors are used in the treatment of arthritis. Anti-inflammatory drugs relieve inflammation, reduce swelling and pain. If necessary, a puncture of the inflamed area is performed, and antibiotics and steroid hormones (Dexamethasone, Kenalog) are injected into the joint cavity. The affected cartilage tissue is restored with the help of chondroprotectors. Arthritis of the feet and fingers can be successfully treated with ointments, gels, and creams with anti-inflammatory and cooling effects.
In advanced cases, surgical intervention is possible to replace the diseased joint using artificial materials. Thus, for arthritis of the knee joint, replantation or reconstructive surgery will help restore the diseased joint and prevent further development of the disease.
Drug treatment should be carried out in combination with physiotherapy and exercise therapy.
Treatment of arthritis of the knee joint and feet never takes place without auxiliary orthopedic devices and shoes. A regular cane, knee pad, and tight bandage will help reduce the load on the inflamed area and reduce pain.
With traditional remedies, the use of traditional methods of treatment is allowed. At home, you can use warming applications, baths with a solution of iodized salt, or ingesting herbal decoctions.
IMPORTANT! In the acute phase of the disease, warm compresses are strictly contraindicated.
Carrying out a comprehensive examination and establishing the correct diagnosis will help determine which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis in order to begin treatment as quickly as possible and exclude surgical intervention.
To be able to seek medical help in a timely manner, it is useful to know what arthritis is and which doctor treats this disease. Every year more and more people suffer from joint diseases.
Arthritis refers to any inflammatory disease of the joints, which can occur in a chronic or acute form, affecting one joint or several. Arthritis can be primary or secondary (occurring against the background of other diseases). Depending on this, consultation with different specialists may be required.
Primary arthritis includes:
Rheumatoid arthritis mainly affects small joints. First, swelling of the joints, local hyperthermia, and pain are noted. After some time, morning stiffness occurs, lasting more than half an hour. It is characterized by the inability to fully perform a movement (for example, it is not possible to completely form a fist or place your palms together so that there is no distance between them). Some people have associations with tight gloves or a tightly tightened corset.
Rheumatoid arthritis is dangerous not only because of impaired motor function, but also because of serious concomitant pathologies: pericarditis, vasculitis, pleurisy, nephritis and some others. Therefore, if symptoms of this disease appear, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Juvenile arthritis occurs in children under 16 years of age and usually affects the elbow, knee, and ankle joints. It manifests itself with such symptoms as:
This disease in children is fraught with impaired growth and skeletal formation, so consultation with a specialist is necessary as early as possible, before irreversible changes occur.
Spondylitis is an inflammation of the spinal column. The following symptoms are characteristic of this disease:
Complications of this type of arthritis are destruction of the vertebrae and irreversible deformation of the spinal column, which, in turn, entails many problems.
With gout, salts are deposited in the joints with the formation of so-called tophi around them. The joint of the big toe is especially often affected. Symptoms of gout occur suddenly and very severely. The joint swells, the skin over it turns red, and there is severe pain that does not go away even at rest and intensifies at the slightest touch.
Osteoarthritis is a disease characterized by damage to the cartilage tissue that covers the surfaces of the joints. First, aching pain occurs in the affected joint, and some stiffness of movement is noted. A little later, swelling appears. Lack of treatment leads to the fact that not only the joint, but also the entire muscle-tendon complex is deformed, resulting in contractures - sharp restrictions on normal movements, which, as a rule, are irreversible.
Secondary arthritis develops in various diseases, but especially often in systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, hepatitis, granulomatosis, borreliosis, and tuberculosis.
Naturally, the triad of symptoms of joint inflammation (pain, swelling, impaired mobility) is accompanied by symptoms characteristic of a specific disease.
For example, with systemic lupus erythematosus, rashes grouped in the shape of a butterfly appear on the face in the area of the nose and cheeks; with psoriasis, a rash appears on the skin, merging into characteristic plaques.
Which doctor should you contact first if symptoms of arthritis appear? Of course, ideally, you need to make an appointment with an arthrologist - a specialist who deals exclusively with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of joint diseases. If you suspect rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus, it is better to contact a rheumatologist. It is worth saying that such specializations are quite narrow. An arthrologist and a rheumatologist do not work in every clinic, so if you do not have the opportunity to see such doctors, consult a therapist, and if symptoms of arthritis appear in a child, you should go for an examination to a pediatrician.
If the arthritis is primary, then the arthrologist, rheumatologist, therapist or pediatrician mainly independently treats the disease. If you have rheumatoid or juvenile arthritis, you may also need to consult an immunologist, since the development of these diseases is based on autoimmune reactions.
When it comes to gout, there is often a need to be examined by a nephrologist, since this disease often develops due to insufficient excretion of uric acid in the urine, which may indicate kidney disease. A nutritionist is involved in the treatment of gout, since this disease can occur or recur due to the consumption of large amounts of chocolate, coffee, tea, alcohol and foods rich in protein (eggs, meat, beans).
Regarding pain in the spine and suspicion of spondylitis, it is better to consult a vertebrologist - a doctor who treats pathologies of the spinal column, but such specialists are also quite rare. For secondary arthritis that occurs against the background of psoriasis or systemic lupus erythematosus, consultation with a dermatovenerologist may be required. Usually, people first turn to this doctor about skin rashes. This specialist can also treat secondary arthritis.
In some cases, the affected joints can only be treated surgically or the problem can be solved through prosthetics. Then surgeons, orthopedists, physiotherapists, and sometimes traumatologists take control of the patient. Do not forget that joint damage may be accompanied by concomitant pathologies. For example, rheumatoid arthritis affects the heart and some other organs. Accordingly, there is a need to make several visits to a cardiologist and other doctors. Radiologists and ultrasound specialists help in detecting arthritis and assessing the condition of joints.
Thus, it can be argued that several doctors are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis, so consultation with various specialists is usually required.
The choice of treatment for arthritis depends on the cause of its occurrence. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroid injections into the affected joints may be prescribed. Diet plays a role, especially if arthritis was caused by excess weight.
Special gymnastics helps strengthen muscles and relieve some of the stress from joints, but it is best to do it after consultation with a specialist. If the cause of secondary arthritis is an infection (tuberculosis, borreliosis), antibiotic therapy is required. In general, you need to understand that treating arthritis is a long process that is not always managed by one doctor.
Sometimes it is impossible to completely cure the disease, so in such cases therapy is aimed at achieving stable remission, preventing exacerbations, and normalizing joint movements. Often the presence of arthritis imposes certain restrictions, for example, you have to give up intense physical activity, play certain sports and be under the supervision of a doctor.