Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose and sometimes it is best to find a Rheumatologist if the condition is suspected. Patients with the early stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis may not be able to determine what their condition is, and may need the input of a doctor more experienced with the condition.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto-immune disease that affects the joints. These joints become inflamed and are often swollen, red and tender to touch or move. To diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis a patient may need to see a Rheumatologist so that a patient can have an expert opinion of their symptoms.

What Is A Rheumatologist?

A Rheumatologist is a specialist that has finished medical school and then gone on for further training. They will spend three years in either internal medicine or pediatrics and then an additional three years in rheumatology. They must then take an exam that then qualifies them to be a Rheumatologist. In recent years, there are fewer doctors pursuing this field, and a qualified Rheumatologist may be difficult to find.

How A Doctor Will Diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis

To get a doctor to diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis may take some further tests and evaluations. The first step to diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis will be a physical exam. The physician will look at all of the joints and test them for range of motion.

To diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis, a patient will be asked a variety of questions about their day to day lives and the pain and difficulties they have during the day. Often patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis complain of morning stiffness and fatigue.

There are other tools that will also be used to diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis and these include blood tests as well as X-rays. Blood tests can be done to help rule out other conditions and look at erythrocyte sedimentation rate. This is often elevated if a patient has Rheumatoid Arthritis. X-rays are a way to look for joint damage, but for patients in the early stages of the disease, this may not be apparent as of yet.

It is important to diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis in the early stages so that treatment can begin. The sooner treatment is started the quicker a patient will find relief from pain and prevent damage to bones. If a patient suspects they may have Rheumatoid Arthritis it can be a good idea to find a Rheumatologist to discuss the symptoms and for further assessment.

By seeing someone that is specifically trained in Rheumatology, a patient can begin to seek treatment and help alleviate symptoms as well as stop the progression of the disease.