What is Rheumatology?
Rheumatology is a super-speciality in medicine that deals with inflammatory and auto-immune disorders affecting the connective tissues and joints. Rheumatic diseases usually affect joints resulting in joint swelling, stiffness, reduced movement of joints etc. They are disorders of immune system.

Rheumatologists are doctors who specialize in treatment of rheumatological disorders like Rheumatoid arthiritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic arthiritis, Gout, SLE, Scleroderma etc.

Which Joints are affected in Rheumatic diseases?
Any joint in the body may be affected – from small joints to hands to large joints like knee and shoulder. They also involve the spine (back bone). Adults & Children both can be affected.

Rheumatic diseases do not involve joints alone?
In addition to joints and bones, rheumatic diseases can affect multiple organs like lungs, eyes, heart, kidneys, brain, stomach and intestines. They can affect outcome of pregnancies and interfere with conception and child bearing. They affect daily living of person and lead to disability and loss of work. Osteoporosis (“Holes in bones”) is another important problem that exists in patients with rheumatic diseases.

Treatment of Rheumatic diseases
The treatment of Rheumatic diseases is usually long-term. They can be controlled well with disease-modifying drugs and biologics. In addition to specialized medicines as per your Rheumatologist’s prescription, regular exercises and good life-style measures are very important.