Are you searching for Conroe TX lupus doctors near me? Then you have come to the right place because Advanced Rheumatology of Houston has the best care for those dealing with lupus. Lupus is short for systemic lupus erythematosus, which is an autoimmune disease that causes systemic inflammation of the organs.

If you have recently found out that you have it or have discovered that a loved one has it, then you probably would like to know more about it. Lupus also goes by the name of SLE; it is mostly found in women and can begin at nearly any age. About twenty percent of women with lupus are teens and children. Rarer forms of SLE begin before the age of five and is called childhood-onset SLE.

This disorder will attack joints and healthy tissues of organs. Severe cases of SLE will affect the heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys. If left untreated, it can affect a person’s life greatly and could cause permanent organ damage. The good news is that there are treatments available that allow those with lupus to live long, fulfilling lives.

Dr. Brionez has several years of experience in the Rheumatology field. She cares about her patient’s health and aims to help everyone who comes to visit her live a more comfortable life. If you are facing lupus, know that you don’t have to do it alone. Dr. Brionez has a reliable team that can help you through it. This is why you should choose Advanced Rheumatology of Houston to be your Conroe TX lupus doctors near me.

Many symptoms come with having lupus. These symptoms can make life challenging and overwhelming at times. Continue reading to learn more about lupus and its symptoms and treatments.

Symptoms and Signs of Lupus or SLE

Lupus can vary greatly from person to person. This is because of the wide variety of symptoms it can cause. Some of the symptoms make lupus hard to diagnose since the symptoms can be from nearly any disease. Some of these symptoms are:

• weight loss
• stomach pain
• blood clots
• hair loss
• fatigue
• fever
• heartburn
• poor circulation in fingers and toes

Lupus is also known for its flare-ups. So, there will be times when the disease is quiet or in remission, and you won’t have any symptoms at all. However, for the times when the disease is active, the symptoms won’t come on all at once. This can also make it hard to diagnose. Luckily, The American College of Rheumatology has created a list of symptoms that can be used as a guide for doctors. Some of the symptoms on this list are:

Rashes

Rashes from lupus can come in a few forms. These forms are discoid rashes, malar rashes, and rashes from sun exposure. Discoid rashes can be identified as a red raised oval/round patches. A malar rash is a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks. And a rash from sun exposure will show up on exposed skin.

Mouth Sores

These sores are in the mouth or the nose and can last anywhere from a month to a few days.

Arthritis

Arthritis is known as pain and swelling in two or more joints, and it will last for a few weeks. There are also different categories of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. If you have arthritis that is or isn’t from lupus, a rheumatologist can diagnose and treat your arthritis.

Lung or Heart Inflammation

This can cause chest pain when you breathe deeply. Inflammation of the heart is called pericarditis, while inflammation of the lungs is called pleurisy or pleuritis.

Kidney Problems

This is usually found through tests that show poor kidney function. Another test that can be done is a urine analysis, which will also show blood or protein in the urine.

Neurologic Problems

Neurologic problems can be psychosis, which is a mental health issue, seizures, or strokes.

Abnormal Blood Tests

Abnormalities with blood tests can be low platelets, low white blood cell count, or anemia. Antibodies can also be present in blood tests. The antibodies that are the most common in lupus patients are antinuclear antibodies, which cause the immune system to attack itself. Other antibodies that can be present are anti-double-strand DNA, antiphospholipid antibodies, and anti-Smith.

Diagnosing lupus is a challenge because of the variety of symptoms. However, the best way to diagnose it is through blood tests. The most important blood test for lupus would be an ANA.

Flare-ups are common for those struggling with lupus. Lupus flare-ups can be caused by puberty, pregnancy, or sunlight. If lupus is active during pregnancy, it can cause complications or miscarriages. While this can cause a pregnancy to be difficult for those with Lupus isn’t impossible. If you wish to become pregnant but are living with lupus, then consult your doctor. You can time your pregnancy with the remission of lupus. This will allow for the pregnancy to not be disrupted because of lupus and have a higher chance of success. Consult your Conroe TX lupus doctors near me for more information.

Available Treatment

Lupus is known as a chronic disease, which means that there is no known cure for it at this time. Though it’s chronic, there is still treatment available. The advancements in treatment have made it possible for those with lupus to live longer and higher quality of life. The goal of treatment is to keep lupus in remission to prevent permanent organ damage.

Currently, medicine is the most common form of treatment for lupus. Some of the medications used to treat SLE or lupus are:

• Plaquenil
• NSAIDs
• Corticosteroids and immune suppressants
• Benlysta

Discuss treatment with your doctor to find the best method to control lupus. They will work with you to find a treatment plan that will control lupus while also limiting the side effects of the medications. Your treatment plan will be based on your medical history and your current symptoms. If you choose Dr. Brionez as one of your Conroe TX lupus doctors near me, she will help you get the best treatment for your condition.

The Best Conroe TX lupus doctors near me

Those with lupus can live perfectly normal lives. You don’t have to miss out on anything because of your illness. Once you decide on a doctor, you will be expected to visit often so they can keep track of your condition and adjust their treatment as needed.

Give Advanced Rheumatology of Houston a call at (281) 766-7886 to set up an appointment. You can also learn more about what they do by checking out their services, or you can drop by for a visit to their location. Choose Advanced Rheumatology of Houston to be your Conroe TX lupus doctors near me.

Fun Facts About Conroe TX

• In the 1800s Conroe was first settled
• The lake in Conroe is 22,000 acres large
• Conroe TX’s first city hall was established in 1920
• For more facts about Conroe TX check us out