A rheumatologist in Conroe, TX, can diagnose and treat Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune illness that causes joint damage and pain throughout the body. RA injures the joint itself.
Your rheumatologist in Conroe, TX, does the diagnosing and treating of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. From there, treatment typically takes place in a medical center. After that, they will prescribe internal medicine to treat and manage RA.
If a joint in the arms or legs is damaged, the same joint in the other one is likely to become affected. This predicament is one reason doctors classify Rheumatoid Arthritis separate from different types of arthritis.
Treatments perform best when we diagnose RA early. So, learning the symptoms and catching it quick is crucial. Continue reading this article to learn more about rheumatoid arthritis, beginning with symptoms, diets, home remedies, and more treatments.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
RA is a chronic disease. In this case, it is characterized by joint discomfort and inflammatory symptoms. These symptoms arise in waves and cycles or flares and exacerbations. Sometimes, we consider conditions as remission cycles, or when symptoms vanish entirely.
RA symptoms impact many organs throughout the body. However, rheumatoid arthritis’ joint symptoms include:
- joint swelling
- joint pain
- loss of functionality
- deformities
Additionally, these symptoms will range from mild to severe. It is crucial not to miss your symptoms, even as they come and go. Your rheumatologist in Conroe, TX, can assist you in recognizing the early signs of RA. And your healthcare provider helps you better handle and control it.
Your Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis
It can take time to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The process will include several diagnostic tests to confirm the clinical examination findings. Your health care professional might seek many different tools to treat RA.
Second, though, they will ask you about your symptoms and your medical history. Advanced Rheumatology of Houston will also perform physical examinations of your joints. This examination includes:
- Monitoring the reflexes and muscle strength for warmth and tenderness
- Looking for any redness and inflammation
- Checking joint function and range of motion
If your physician suspects you have RA, they will definitely send you to a rheumatologist. Unfortunately, there is no single test that will validate an RA diagnosis. Your health care professional and rheumatologist will use many test methods.
Your rheumatologist can evaluate your blood for certain substances, including antibodies. Besides that, we can check the number of many significant substances, such as the acute phase elevated through inflammation. Such might be a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis and assist us in the diagnosis. We can even use other medical tests, including X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI.
Tests not only indicate when there is a joint injury but also how severe. In some patients with RA, we recommend a full evaluation and monitoring of specific organ systems.
Blood Tests for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Your primary care physician may use several forms of blood testing. From there, they will decide whether to send you to a rheumatologist. There is the rheumatoid factor test where we examine the blood. On the other hand, there is the anti-CCP Ab test that examines the antibodies. Meanwhile, there are plenty more. And, of course, we are thorough when we go through with testing.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
For treatment, we will have RA patients on their feet. Indeed, we identify the best approaches to treat your symptoms and slow the disorder’s development.
Currently, improvements in clinical strategies led to ever-improving results and quality of living for people with rheumatoid arthritis. You can target Rheumatoid Arthritis by using a rheumatologist in Conroe, TX. We help manage this disease successfully.
Furthermore, the treat-to-target approach has led to fewer symptoms and higher rates of remission for those with RA. The treatment strategy involves:
- establishing an explicit testing goal signaling either remission or low disease status
- testing of acute process reactants and performing monthly monitoring to evaluate progress in care and management plan
- adjusting the medication regimen immediately if progression is not achieved.
In conclusion, rheumatoid arthritis treatments regulate inflammation and relieve the pain. In many instances, this might end in remission. Decreasing inflammation also helps avoid additional injury to the joints and organs. Treatments include:
- home remedies
- medications
- changes in your diet
- specific types of exercise
Additionally, your rheumatologist in Conroe TX consults with you about assessing your medical needs and treatment options. These treatments allow patients to lead a healthy life and reduce the possibility of long-term risks.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications
There are many different kinds of rheumatoid arthritis medication. In fact, some of these pharmaceutical medicines relieve pain and inflammation. Meanwhile, others help reduce flares and minimize the damage RA is doing to the joints.
Alternative Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis
However, when living with RA, some home remedies and lifestyle adjustments may improve your quality of life. These changes include exercise, getting rest, and using assistive devices.
Exercise Helps
Low-impact exercises help strengthen your joints and increase flexibility. In addition, exercise will make your muscles more durable and alleviate some strain on your joints. You will also want to experiment with yoga. Also, it can help you regain endurance and energy. Consequently, all this helps you improve your mobility.
Get Plenty of Rest
With flare-ups, you might need more rest. So, by making sure you get enough sleep, you can help reduce pain, swelling, and exhaustion. Either ice packs or cold compresses can do a lot in reducing any inflammation and discomfort, as well. Additionally, they are effective against muscle spasms.
Apply Heat or Cold
Either ice packs or cold compresses can do a lot in reducing any inflammation and discomfort, as well. Additionally, they are effective against muscle spasms.
Advanced Rheumatology of Houston
Your rheumatologist in Conroe, TX, treats patients with these conditions and diseases. Also, our practice at Advanced Rheumatology of Houston commits ourselves to our patients’ care and therapy. The physicians at our hospital have undergone extensive training and dedicate themselves to this therapeutic branch of medicine.
Through excelling in our profession and services, we guarantee the highest quality medical attention to the patients in our care. Together, we strive to change our field and fully grasp these conditions.
Call at (281) 766-7886 and schedule an appointment with us today. Finally, you deserve the best treatment possible with our rheumatologist in Conroe, TX.
Conroe, TX Fun Facts
- Lake Conroe is 22,000 acres.
- Also, you can catch a show at the historic Crighton Theatre.
- Furthermore, Conroe has many parks and forests for nature lovers to enjoy.
- Learn more about Conroe here.