RHEUMATOLOGY IS THE BRANCH OF MEDICINE dealing with musculo¬skeletal disorders and autoimmune diseases. There are more than 200 of these rheumatic diseases, afflicting millions of Americans of all ages. By far, the most common disease treated by rheumatologists is arthritis. According to the CDC (Center For Disease Control), arthritis alone affects more than 53 million people, or 23 percent of all adults in the US! Osteoarthritis is the leading form of arthritis, but there are others, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and lupus. In fact, there are 100 different kinds of arthritis. They all cause pain, aching, stiffness, and swelling in or around the joints. Some can affect multiple organs and create life threatening conditions. Some may be acute, while others are chronic, meaning they last a lifetime. Rheumatology is also concerned with autoimmune diseases that afflict roughly 50 million Americans. There are many kinds of autoimmune diseases. Most have unfamiliar names, but nearly everyone has heard of multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, Crohn's, and fibromyalgia. Symptoms tend to be vague, such as unrelenting fatigue or unexplained pain in bones, soft tissue, or gastrointestinal tract. Determining a diagnosis can be very difficult. Choosing the most effective treatment is also challenging. But that is what a rheumatologist's job is all about - diagnosing and treating long-term diseases that most other doctors cannot recognize. Rheumatology is a sub¬specialty of either pediatrics or internal medicine, depending on the age group being treated. Rheumatologists must first become a licensed physician - Medical Doctor (MDs) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). That takes four years of undergraduate college followed by four years of medical school. Another three years of residency is required after graduating from medical school. Residents put in long hours - 16 hours a day or more - getting hands-on training in a hospital setting. After that, their skills are perfected in fellowship programs that typically last an additional two to four years. Rheumatologists who start their educational path right after high school are well into their thirties by the time they are qualified to start practicing on their own. With such a heavy investment in education, it is good to know that it is going to be worth it. Rheumatologists report a high degree of satisfaction in their careers. In fact, rheumatologists are known as the happiest specialists. The work is intellectually stimulating, highly rewarding, and the earnings are excellent averaging well over $200,000 a year. The job outlook is excellent, too. Nationwide, there are more openings than candidates to fill them, and that gap is widening. Most rheuma¬tologists work in hospitals and clinics, but many are also employed by assisted care facilities, government health agencies, private health organizations, universities, and pharmaceutical companies. Those who are not employed as salaried staff are in private practice. They often see patients who have been referred by primary care physicians. Many are affiliated with hospitals, acting as consultants when hospitalized patients show signs of rheumatic disease. Becoming a rheumatologist means being in a position to alleviate pain and enhance the quality of life for people. If you have a strong interest in physiology, have an aptitude for solving problems, possess excellent communications skills, and want to help people, take a closer look. Rheumatology may be the career you are looking for.