Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious medical complication which can be effectively dealt only by rheumatoid arthritis doctors. It is a chronic disease, and if a patient is diagnosed with the same, it is usually a lifelong affair.

It is therefore very vital that before the patient approach the rheumatoid arthritis doctors, a clear understanding of symptoms is available so that the same can be discussed with the doctor and suitable treatment be sought.

Key symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
Swollen or pain giving joints indicate the evolution of rheumatoid arthritis. However, there are some other key symptoms of this disease condition which will help a patient understand that if they are suffering from this complication and they need to meet rheumatoid arthritis doctors.

Some of these key symptoms might include the development of extreme fatigue, low-grade fever, the stiffness of joints during morning hours, weight loss which is unexplained and nausea.

Before you head out to meet the rheumatoid arthritis doctors, it is important that you understand about different types of doctors who treat this medical complication.

Family doctor
The family doctor can be your first link between a rheumatoid arthritis physician and you. They would refer you to a consulting doctor who can then work on the complication.

Rheumatologist
A rheumatologist is a person who has undergone special training in diagnosing connective tissue complications and immunology related complications.

Orthopedist
Patients who have rheumatoid arthritis also can plan to visit an orthopedist. As the name indicated, an orthopedist is a trained surgeon who has specialization in treating bone joint complications and trauma that might arise owing to such situations. If any damage to joints is suspected by the rheumatoid arthritis doctors treating you, they might refer the patient to an orthopedist. The role of an orthopedist is to conduct any kind of surgical intervention that a patient might require.

Physical therapist
Sometimes patients who have rheumatoid arthritis lose movement and suffer from functional loss of body parts. In tandem with rheumatoid arthritis doctors, a physical therapist will be able to design an exercise program which will eventually help improve the strength and functionality of joints. A physical therapist would also be the ideal person to suggest ways on reducing the pain emitting from rheumatoid arthritis.

Preparing for the initial appointment
The first appointment with a rheumatoid arthritis doctor will put the patient on the course of further treatment. It is therefore vital that before the first appointment with the rheumatoid arthritis doctor is made, the patient should have some idea of their medical condition. Lack of clarity on this aspect can lead to patient remain in a confused state, which will then eventually have a detrimental effect on the further course of treatment.

Before the visit, it would be in patient’s interest if clarity on the below-listed aspects has been done.

• The patient should have an idea as to when the initial symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis appeared.
• The way the initial symptoms had changed the course over a period.
• If the symptoms have spread to other areas of the body or are still localized.
• How has the daily routine of the patient been affected after the development of these symptoms?
• Rheumatoid arthritis is one disease which has been linked to genes of a person. If a person is suffering from this medical complication, at some point another their family member might have suffered from a similar disease.

Any such details about family history or incidence of such disease should be provided at the time of initial communication with the doctor. A tentative list of medications that the patient has been taking over the counter should also be shared with the rheumatoid arthritis doctors during the initial visit. This will give a fair idea to the doctors on various medications that the patient might be taking, and they can also suggest some alternative medicines, in case the doctors feel so.

Finally, a positive outlook is necessary if a person wants to live a healthy life when they have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. This is a chronic and long-term illness. Regular exercise, balanced diet and tendency to lead a stress-free life are some of the indicators which will eventually help a person get over this medical complication.

A patient is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis should ideally remain in touch with the doctor and take all the necessary medications as suggested by them on a regular basis.