Our Services / Rheumatology

What is rheumatology?

Rheumatology is a specialized area of medicine that diagnoses and treats autoimmune and inflammatory diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system, which includes your muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. 

They also treat autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that affect the blood vessels, nerves, and organs. Collectively, these conditions are known as systemic rheumatic diseases.

Southern New Hampshire Internal Medicine is a primary care practice that has a team of Providers that specializes in rheumatology. These Providers are Internal Medicine Providers who have additional training in Rheumatology to provide the comprehensive care you need. 

What are the conditions that benefit from rheumatology?

There are many conditions that benefit from rheumatology care. These conditions include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Fibromyalgia
• Lupus
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Scleroderma
• Vasculitis
• Back pain
• Osteoporosis

Many of these conditions are the result of problems with your immune system, which mistakenly attacks your tissues and organs, causing inflammation and pain. 

Over time, your immune system may cause permanent damage that affects the structure and function of the affected body part. 

When do I need rheumatology?

Your primary care provider at Southern New Hampshire Internal Medicine may help you determine when you would benefit from a consultation with a rheumatologist. 

Your provider may recommend rheumatology if you have ongoing pain and inflammation in your joints, muscles, or bones that worsen over time.  

Many systemic rheumatic diseases are difficult to diagnose. But a visit with a rheumatologist at Southern New Hampshire Internal Medicine can help you get the answers you need. 

What happens during a rheumatology appointment?

When you visit a rheumatologist at Southern New Hampshire Internal Medicine, you can expect a comprehensive, patient-centered exam. 

Your rheumatologist asks detailed questions about your symptoms, medical history, and family history and performs a physical. They may request lab tests or imaging tests to confirm or rule out a condition that might explain your symptoms.

Your provider may perform many of these tests on-site. 

If you have a rheumatic condition, the rheumatologist provides disease-specific care, which may include disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or biologics. 

Southern New Hampshire Internal Medicine even offers infusion therapy for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Infusion therapy involves intravenous (IV) administration of medications you can’t take by mouth. 

Find out more about rheumatology at Southern New Hampshire Internal Medicine by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.