Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious condition that needs to be treated as such. If your doctor has diagnosed you with this condition or believes that you may have it due to your bloodwork, you need to spend some time with a specialist. Rheumatoid arthritis can and will get worse if you leave it untreated, so here's what you need to do and know.

Rheumatologists

Doctors who specialize in treating rheumatoid arthritis are called rheumatologists. They have all the same training as standard general practitioners but also take additional training and schooling in order to specialize in their field. This is the type of doctor you'll need to see.

Long-Term Impact

The reason you don't want to leave rheumatoid arthritis alone goes beyond the simple pain that you may be experiencing. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, which means that your body is under constant assault.

With any autoimmune disorder, what happens is that the body's natural defenders start attacking healthy cells instead of invaders. With rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system targets cells located in the joints throughout the body. Every day that you go without treatment, valuable cushioning in your joints is gradually destroyed. In the long run, this can lead to more pain and stiffness but can also cause the joints to become deformed. People who go without treatment can end up having the joints in their fingers and feet bend outward, and at the same time, a bone deformity may occur, which worsens this condition. Thankfully, if you do seek help from a rheumatologist, you're not doomed to experience this.

Treatment

Rheumatologists treat rheumatoid arthritis differently depending on your own personal needs. They'll base your treatment off a combination of medical scans, bloodwork, and a physical examination.

For many people, steroids are the go-to treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Steroids naturally stunt the actions of the immune system, which can help to avoid joint damage. Since you need your immune system to protect you from illnesses, the steroids are often injected directly into the joints so that the rest of your body isn't impacted by the steroids. In addition, anti-inflammatory medications can be helpful in reducing pain and swelling.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious condition and should never be ignored. The pain you're in now can get worse, and if your condition gets so bad that your hands or feet become deformed, that damage may be permanent. Set up an appointment with a rheumatologist to get the ball rolling on your treatment so that things get better, not worse.

Contact a clinic like the Sarasota Arthritis Center to learn more.