arthritis-india

Fight Arthritis with Knowledge & Courage

Arthritis affects 15% of people, i.e., over 210 million people in India. This prevalence is higher than many well-known diseases such as diabetes, AIDS, and cancer. Rheumatology is a holistic super specialty of Internal Medicine that deals with arthritis and rheumatism. Rheumatism indicates pain arising from joints or other elements of the musculoskeletal system. There are over 100 rheumatological disorders classified by World Health Organization. However, a shortage of trained rheumatologists in India has led to the management of these diseases by untrained doctors, alternative medicine practitioners, and quacks. Insufficient appreciation of rheumatological problems appears to be due to a lack of knowledge about these conditions. arthritis-india aims at providing scientific information on arthritis and allied conditions and help patients overcome their problems.

When should you see a Rheumatologist?

All patients with joint and back pain, especially if associated with swelling and stiffness in the morning or after a period of rest, must see a rheumatologist at the earliest possible date. Delay in reaching specialist Rheumatology services is the most frequent cause of irreversible joint damage. A rheumatologist can save the cost of therapy by avoiding unnecessary investigations and by reducing the loss of workdays with proper diagnosis and effective management. The domain of Rheumatology also includes bone, muscle, and systemic diseases such as osteoporosis, myositis, systemic lupus, and vasculitis. In addition, any patient with unexplained fever, anemia, weakness, weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, and recurrent abortions must be assessed by a Rheumatologist.