What kind of doctor specializes in lupus?
Start by seeing your family doctor and a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in the diseases of joints and muscles such as lupus. Depending on your symptoms or whether your organs have been hurt by your lupus, you may need to see other types of doctors.
Do Endocrinologists treat lupus?
Medical Specialists These may include: Cardiologist: For heart issues, such as lupus myocarditis and lupus pericarditis. Pulmonologist: For lung issues, such as pleurisy due to lupus and other lung conditions. Endocrinologist: For issues relating to your thyroid, adrenal function, or other endocrine issues.
What type of specialists focus on autoimmune diseases and treat lupus?
Rheumatologists evaluate and treat autoimmune, inflammatory or other musculoskeletal conditions like: Rheumatoid arthritis. Systemic lupus erythematosus.
Does an immunologist treat lupus?
A rheumatologist is a doctor who specializes in rheumatic diseases (arthritis and other inflammatory disorders, often involving the immune system). Clinical immunologists (doctors specializing in immune system disorders) may also treat people with lupus.
Is estrogen bad for lupus?
Hormones are unique messengers that maintain and regulate numerous bodily functions. For the last several decades, more research has suggested the sex hormone estrogen, in particular, is believed to play a role in not only being a possible lupus trigger, but also with increasing lupus symptoms.
What does a rheumatologist do for someone with lupus?
Rheumatologists are the doctors who specialize in treating diseases of the joints and muscles, like lupus. If you have at least four of the criteria on the list, either at the present time or at some time in the past, there is a strong chance that you have lupus.
Can you get disability for lupus?
For Social Security’s purposes, lupus qualifies as a disability when it meets these conditions: It involves two or more organs or body systems. It includes at least two major signs or symptoms, such as severe fatigue, fever, malaise, and involuntary weight loss.
What doctors specialize in lupus?
Typically, lupus is treated by rheumatologists . Rheumatologists are internists or pediatricians (or both) that specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones, as well as certain autoimmune diseases, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
What are the 11 criteria for lupus?
The 11 criteria are: Butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose (called a malar rash) Raised red patches on the skin (called a discoid rash) Unusual skin reaction to sunlight (photosensitivity rash) Typically painless mouth or nose ulcers
What doctor treats lupus patients?
As mentioned before, the primary care doctor for most lupus patients is a rheumatologist, a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles and bones as well as certain autoimmune diseases including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
How do doctors diagnose lupus?
A doctor diagnosing lupus must find physical symptoms or laboratory evidence of the illness. Examples of these symptoms are joints swelling, presence of protein in the urine, accumulation of fluid around the lungs or heart, or a skin biopsy to indicate evidence of the disease.