If you suffer a variety of serious health problems and don't know why, consult a rheumatologist soon. A rheumatologist can listen to your concerns and examine your body to see if you have a hidden autoimmune disorder to treat. Learn more about autoimmune disorders and how a rheumatologist can help you below.
What's an Autoimmune Disorder?
Your immune system is one of the most critical or vital systems in your body. The system not only protects you against foreign organisms like viruses and bacteria—the system can also help your body heal. Although your immune system is powerful, it can turn against you. You can develop an autoimmune disorder as a result.
An autoimmune disorder develops when the cells in your immune system repeatedly and mistakenly attack and destroy the healthy or uncompromised tissues in your body. Your immune system can damage the tissues until they can no longer carry out their natural functions.
Autoimmune disorders can affect multiple body tissues and organs, including your skin, hair, and blood vessels. Some disorders can occur simultaneously, such as rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes. The disorders may require different treatments to manage and control. For example, an individual suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes may need to take anti-inflammatory medications and insulin to manage their health properly.
The symptoms of autoimmune disorders can vary from condition to condition. For instance, a person who has problems with their skin may experience severe itchiness, dryness, and inflammation throughout the day. An individual who suffers from type 1 diabetes may feel extremely fatigued, thirsty, or weak during the day and night.
If you experience multiple ailments and symptoms that baffle, confuse, or frustrate you, speak to a rheumatologist soon.
How Can a Rheumatologist Diagnose and Treat You?
Autoimmune disorders can be extremely difficult to pinpoint without the right tools. In order to diagnose you properly, a rheumatologist will need to complete various assessments and tests on your immune system. The assessments and tests look for changes in your cells, blood, and urine.
For instance, autoimmune conditions can increase or decrease the number of blood cells your body makes over time. Your urine and bowel content may also change colors or smell strange.
A rheumatologist may also take X-rays of your internal organs, joints, and bones during the exam. Arthritis, lupus, and other inflammatory conditions can cause unnatural wear and tear in your joints and organs. X-rays can reveal changes in your internal tissues that may indicate the presence of an autoimmune disorder.
After a rheumatologist completes their assessments and tests, they can provide the treatment you need to manage your disorder and health.
Learn more about autoimmune disorders and how to diagnose them by turning to a center such as Sarasota Arthritis Center.
Share5 October 2022
One day I was playing a game of basketball with a friend, and the friend I was playing ball with tripped and took a hard fall to the ground. He hit his head hard, but he insisted he was okay and just wanted to go home and take a nap. I knew in my heart that he was not thinking clearly, and I didn't feel right letting him go home. I talked him into letting me take him to the hospital, and after some tests, it was determined he had a bad concussion. The doctors told me that if I had let him go home and sleep, things could have taken a turn for the worse. I created this blog to remind everyone to look out for each other after injuries. Not everyone thinks clearly after a head injury, and just being a good friend could save a life.