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Rheumatology, the subspecialty of internal medicine, is devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases. Rheumatologists primarily treat by having problems involving a muscles and/or joints.

Diseases
Diseases diagnosed or even managed per rheumatologist include:

rheumatoid arthritis lupus erythematosus Sjögren's syndrome scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) dermatomyositis polychondritis polymyositis polymyalgia rheumatica osteoarthritis septic arthritis gout, pseudogout spondyloarthropathies ankylosing spondylitis Reiter's syndrome psoriatic arthropathy enteropathic spondylitis reactive arthropathy vasculitis polyarteritis nodosa Henoch-Schönlein purpura serum sickness Wegener's granulomatosis giant cell arteritis temporal arteritis Takayasu's arteritis Behçet's syndrome Kawasaki's disease (mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome) Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans)

Diagnosis
Apart from either an extensive medical history & physical examination, a rheumatologist can use a below symptomatic methods: Laboratory tests (e.g. erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor) X-rays of affected joints and more imaging methods Cytology and chemical pathology of fluid aspirated from affected joints (e.g. to differentiate between septic arthritis and gout)

Treatment
Virtually all creaky diseases come treated by using analgesics, NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory drugs), steroids (in good lawsuits), DMARDs ("steroid-sparing" agents) & monoclonal antibodies, such as a recently introduced infliximab and etanercept.

Physiotherapy is vital in the treatment of numbers of rheumatological disorders. Occupational therapy can help patients searching for guide ways for most common movements which would otherwise exist as restricted by their disease.

Scientific research
a big body of recent research project treats the background of autoimmune disease, the induced of numerous arthritic disorders. Epidemiologic studies & medication lawsuits come as well conducted.

RheumatologyLinx
Medical news and information in rheumatology from medical journals, for physicians. Updated daily and available on the web or by email newsletter.

Pediatric Rheumatology
A resource for families and physicians caring for children with arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, Kawasaki disease and other rheumatic diseases.

RheumatologyWeb
An educational resource created by practising rheumatologists and other health care professionals, including CME opportunities, case of the month and regular highlighted issues.

Rheumatology Internet Resources
A directory of relevant links to rheumatology, collected by a rheumatologist.

Family Practice Notebook - Rheumatology
Comprehensive database of rheumatological disorders.

General Practice Notebook - Rheumatology
Coverage of this medical speciality.

North American Spondylitis Consortium (NASC)
For families interested in participating in a national research project to discover the genes causing ankylosing spondylitis, leading to better diagnosis, treatment and possible cure.

Rheumatoid arthritis information
Information for physicians on this disease, from Aventis.

Osteoporosis information
Information for physicians on this disease, from Aventis.

National Medical Research Foundation
NMRF is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis.


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