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Rheumatoid Arthritis: Doctors
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Rheumatoid arthritis can cause many other health problems. Your hands may become bent or twisted. You may find lumps in the backs of your arms or other areas. Lung and heart problems ... can happen. Talk to your doctor about any new symptoms you notice.
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To diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, a doctor will perform a physical examination and discuss the symptoms. If arthritis of any kind is suspected, the patient is referred to a rheumatologist, a specialist who is trained to recognize and treat rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other kinds of arthritis. There are a number of forms of arthritis, and each must be considered and ruled out before a diagnosis can be made. Additionally, conditions like
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If you suspect you might have Rheumatoid Arthritis see your doctor. Your doctor can arrange for you to see a Rheumatologist, a specialist trained to diagnose and treat problems with joints, muscles and bones. You most likely will be sent for blood tests to check your erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate) and RA factor.
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For many years, doctors initially prescribed aspirin or other pain-relieving drugs for rheumatoid arthritis, as well as rest and physical therapy. They usually prescribed more powerful drugs later only if the disease worsened.
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Many of the medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis have side effects. So it is important to have regular checkups and talk with your doctor about any problems. This will help your doctor find a treatment that works for you.
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Doctors use a variety of approaches to treat rheumatoid arthritis. These are used in different combinations and at different times during the course of the disease and are chosen according to the patient's individual situation. No matter what treatment the doctor and patient choose... the goals are the same: to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, slow down or stop joint damage, and improve the person's sense of well-being and ability to function.
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