Though best known for treating rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatologists are specialists that treat a number of other rheumatic diseases that affect the joints and connective tissues. Rheumatic diseases are chronic, so rheumatologists aim to manage the symptoms over time, preventing further damage, and helping their patients live the best quality of life. How much do you know about what a rheumatologist does?
1. How many diseases involving the joints and connective tissues do rheumatologists treat?1
2. Which of the following do rheumatologists assess?2
3. How many Americans have some sort of rheumatic disease?1
4. Which of the following is NOT a disease a rheumatologist would treat?1
5. For which of the following rheumatic diseases does a rheumatologist look for the presence of a virus or bacteria?1
6. Which of the following rheumatic diseases affects the skin?1
7. What information might a rheumatologist use to diagnose a patient?2
8. Which of the following is the main symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome?3
9. Which rheumatic disease is the most common type of arthritis?1
10. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease of which system?1
References
1 (2014). Arthritis and rheumatic diseases. NIH. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Retrieved June 2, 2015, from http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Arthritis/arthritis_rheumatic.pdf
2 (2015). What is a Rheumatologist? The American College of Rheumatology. Retrieved June 2, 2015, from http://www.rheumatology.org/Practice/Clinical/Patients/What_is_a_Rheumatologist_/
3 (2013). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The American College of Rheumatology. Retrieved September 10, 2015, from http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome