If you’re visiting a doctor who specializes in rheumatology because you’ve detected warning signs of arthritis, you’re taking a smart step towards alleviating your symptoms. However, as with any medical issue, you may wish to have a better understanding of what your first appointment will involve, so you can prepare accordingly and achieve the optimal results.

When you’re first meeting any doctor, it helps to offer a thorough picture of your family history, personal background, and current symptoms. Take some time before your appointment to think back to when you began noticing signs of arthritis, so your doctor can better understand how long you’ve been in pain and whether it might be related to other factors, such as an injury. If you’re able to provide a family history, your doctor can use these genetic clues to identify other possible causes for your symptoms. You should also prepare a list of the medications you take.

For most of the appointment, your rheumatology specialist will focus on asking you questions. Answer these as honestly and thoroughly as possible. Your doctor will want to know what your symptoms feel like, when they first started, and how frequently you experience them. They’ll also ask a number of detailed questions to get a better sense of the factors that contribute to your symptoms. Not only do they want to know about what makes your pain worse, but also what seems to relieve it. With this in mind, be ready to answer a number of questions about your diet with sincerity.

You don’t need to live in chronic pain with no hope for relief. With genuine help from a rheumatology specialist, you can significantly boost your quality of life and overall well-being.

Looking for a trustworthy, compassionate doctor in the Albany, NY, area? Turn to the team at Urgent & Primary Care for meticulous, personalized service. Contact them online to learn more about becoming a patient, or call (518) 479-5240 today.