What question you should ask a rheumatologist?
Patients are supposed to know about the reason behind the symptoms and problems they experience. They should also know about the overall treatment process, fees, duration, possibility of complete recovery, and underlying threats. They must ask for lifestyle changes to adapt to during and post-treatment.
How does a rheumatologist decide on a treatment plan?
Rheumatologists in Calicut at Aster MIMS follow a structured medical protocol to decide on personalised patient treatment plans. They conduct several lab tests, such as blood tests, joint fluid tests, urine tests, skin biopsy, and muscle biopsy. Moreover, they also conduct imaging tests, like X-rays, MRI scans, ultrasounds, and DEXA scans. After considering reports, they decide on treatment plans.
What does a rheumatologist do?
Rheumatologists are medical experts who diagnose and treat patients with persistent joint, muscle, and tendon problems. They provide non-surgical treatments that include medicines, joint injections, joint aspiration, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. They also treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
What is the role of a rheumatologist in a patient's treatment journey?
Rheumatologists in Kochi at Aster Medicity Hospital ensure patients’ recovery journeys are successful, helping them overcome severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. From diagnosing patients to deciding on treatment plans, rheumatologists play a vital role in ensuring that patients receive the utmost treatment and care.
How should I prepare for my first visit to a rheumatologist?
Patients are advised to prepare by carrying all medical reports and documents related to their health conditions. They should also bring insurance cards and referral letters from primary care doctors, a list of current medicines, and a list of symptoms they experience. This information helps specialists determine personalised treatment plans.
When should I consider seeing a rheumatologist?
Physicians sometimes find it challenging to determine the cause of persistent joint and muscle pain. Therefore, patients must see a rheumatologist in Kochi to identify the root cause. Further, when patients are diagnosed with arthritis or a rheumatic disease such as osteoarthritis, SLE, vasculitis, or APS, it is advisable to see medical specialists at Aster Medcity Hospital in Kochi.
What documents should I carry on my first visit to a rheumatologist?
Patients must carry the documents for their blood test reports of antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. They should also carry a list of current symptoms they experience, like joint pain or swelling, along with inherited medical disorders and related documents.
What are the most common types of conditions that rheumatologists treat?
Major conditions that rheumatologists at Aster Medcity Hospital treat are autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, tendonitis, fibromyalgia, back pain, gout, osteoporosis, musculoskeletal pain disorders, and osteoarthritis. They also collaborate with other medical specialists like eye doctors, dermatologists, cardiologists, and physical therapists for specific treatments.
What advancements or technologies are utilised by rheumatologists?
Aster Medcity Hospital in Kochi houses top medical devices that rheumatologists use to diagnose patients. These include diagnostic tools like MRI machines, CT scans, ultrasound machines, and X-rays. Further, equipment includes joint aspiration kits and bone densitometers for effective evaluation of underlying problems.
What question you should ask a rheumatologist?
Patients must ask questions about their medical conditions, symptoms, and potential threats. They should know the duration of specific diseases, as some treatments could last years. They can also ask for the root cause of the problems and possible treatment options.
