Reasons to See a Pediatric Rheumatologist
Does your child feel tired or weak during school? Is your child experiencing pain, swelling, or unusual stiffness in their joints? If yes, your child may be suffering from a medical condition named rheumatism. To be sure, it is advisable to bring your child to a pediatric rheumatologist for diagnosis. There, your rheumatologist will perform tests to determine whether your child has a rheumatic disease. This way, you will know about the underlying causes of your child’s tiredness and timely help treat your child’s health condition. Now, you might be wondering what a rheumatologist is and why we should visit one. This guide will tell you reasons to see a pediatric rheumatologist and much more.
What is a Pediatric Rheumatologist?
A pediatric rheumatologist is a doctor who received specialized training in diagnosing and treating autoimmune conditions that affect children. These conditions can affect the muscles, joints, and bones, causing stiffness, pain, swelling, and deformity to your child. However, these musculoskeletal diseases and autoimmune conditions are not limited to children as they’re more common in adults.
What are the Reasons to See a Pediatric Rheumatologist?
While most people are unaware of the term “rheumatologist,” people living with autoimmune and musculoskeletal disorders know them quite well. So, to understand these conditions and timely treatment, it is essential to know the reasons to see a rheumatologist. This way, you will know what they treat and how they can help you and your child!
1 Your child has been diagnosed with rheumatic disease or arthritis.
Rheumatologists, in general, are trained to diagnose and treat more than 100 types of immune system diseases and arthritis. If your child has rheumatic disease or arthritis, visit a pediatric rheumatologist.
2 Your child has joint pain and swelling.
Joint pain and swelling are common for children after tiring themselves playing sports after school. But sometimes, these can be the symptoms of having a rheumatic disease — especially when your child is experiencing these symptoms more frequently. So, we recommend you to visit Rheumatology Care of North Houston for early diagnosis and treatment. This will ensure the best possible outcome for your child’s health.
3 Your child has abnormal blood test results.
Your child’s primary care physician may order blood tests if they notice specific symptoms. Suppose one or more results of these tests are positive. In that case, a pediatric rheumatologist can better determine if you have a rheumatic condition.
You might be interested to know about, “What is a Rheumatoid Factor Test? Do You Need One?”
4 Your child’s primary care provider can’t figure out what’s wrong.
Rheumatologists deal with complex diseases that are often quite difficult to diagnose. Suppose your child feels pain or other symptoms and your doctor can’t offer help. In that case, a pediatric rheumatologist may be in a better position to deal with the issue.
Where Can I Find a Rheumatologist?
You can find rheumatology centers in several medical settings, including children’s hospitals, university medical centers, and community hospitals. You can also visit Rheumatology Care of North Houston. Our expert staff provides the best care for various musculoskeletal diseases and autoimmune conditions, known as rheumatic diseases.
Now that we know reasons to see a pediatric rheumatologist, make sure you visit a rheumatologist if you or your loved one experience any of the above symptoms. Above all, we should act promptly and get timely treatment to get back on the road towards a healthy life!