Rheumatologists are doctors who specialize in arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions and systemic autoimmune diseases. These diseases can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints, muscles, and bones. In autoimmune diseases, the body’s immune system gets dysregulated and attacks the healthy cells/tissues of the body. Most autoimmune diseases have genetic risk factors and are triggered by environmental factors like viral infections, smoking, pollution, exposure to ultraviolet light, etc. Some of the most common conditions rheumatologist treats includes:

• Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout
• Fibromyalgia
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
• Inflammatory myositis