If you are searching for Houston TX doctors who treat lupus near me, then you need to check out Dr. Brionez. Her practice Advanced Rheumatology of Houston has the most friendly and kind staff. She also has over ten years of experience in diagnosing and treating those with rheumatologic illnesses. Not to mention, she has a substantial amount of experience in research studies.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from Texas A&M University. Then she continued her education at Baylor College of Medicine, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine. After that, she became board certified in 2007 in internal medicine and then board certified in 2009 in rheumatology. Ever since then, she has been in practice.

Her patients love her because she cared about what they are going through and helps them to live healthy and comfortable lives. She only used the most trusted treatment methods when it comes to caring for her patients.

If you are looking for a kind and compassionate doctor, then you should talk to Dr. Brionez. She can help you get the relief that you have been looking for. Those who are suffering from lupus can live normal lives if given the proper treatment. You don’t have to live in pain and struggle with your symptoms. There is an easier way, and then you can get back to living a life you love.

There are many reasons to choose Advanced Rheumatology of Houston to be your Houston TX doctors who treat lupus near me. The biggest reason is that you will have a compassionate doctor there to support you every step of the way.

Continue reading to learn more about lupus, its symptoms, and treatment.

What Is Lupus?

Lupus is short for systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE. It is an autoimmune disease that can affect the healthy tissues of joints and organs by causing systemic inflammation. In severe cases, the inflammation can impact the brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Milder cases won’t affect vital organs but will affect the joints and cause pain and discomfort for the patient.

Although it can sometimes impact men, this disease primarily impacts women. It can develop during puberty, or in young adults, about twenty percent of patients are children and teens. There is a rare case of lupus called childhood-onset SLE that develops in children under the age of five.

The causes of lupus are unknown, and at this time, it is known as a chronic illness, meaning that there is no cure yet. However, lupus can be treated, and treatment has been known to increase the quality of life and increase the patient’s lifespan.

When it comes to diagnosis, there are many symptoms of lupus, and it is known to vary between person to person. Not only that, but many of the symptoms aren’t specific to lupus. Some of the symptoms of lupus can point to other diseases making it harder to diagnose. Some of these symptoms are:

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

While many symptoms related to lupus that could mean anything, some signs give it away. The American College of Rheumatology has chosen these symptoms for a guide for diagnosis. The symptoms in this guide are:

Rashes

There are a few types of rashes that you can get from lupus. These rashes are malar, discoid rashes, and rashes from sun exposure. Malar rashes are butterfly-shaped rashes on the cheeks while discoid rashes are red raised circular patches. Lupus can also cause sensitivity to sunlight, which can cause rashes on the skin that has been exposed to the sun.

Mouth Sores

You can experience sores in the nose or mouth and will last between a few days to an entire month.

Arthritis

This is a disease of the joints. It can cause tenderness and swelling in two or more joints that will last for a few weeks. If you are experiencing arthritis from something other than lupus, a rheumatologist can still help you. There are different types of arthritis, and if you or someone you know are facing rheumatoid arthritis, then give Dr. Brionez a call.

Lung or Heart Inflammation

Patients can feel this because it causes chest pain whenever you breathe deeply. The names for inflammation of the heart and lungs is called pericarditis for the heart, and pleurisy or pleuritis for the lungs.

Kidney Problems

Doctors can find kidney problems through tests where results show poor kidney function. Another sign you may have kidney problems is if there is blood or protein in the urine.

Neurologic Problems

Neurological problems can be psychosis, strokes, or seizures.

Abnormal Blood Tests

The doctors will be on the lookout for anemia, low platelets, or low white blood cell counts. A common abnormality that is found with autoimmune disorders is positive antinuclear antibodies. These antibodies are found in nearly all lupus patients and cause the immune system to attack itself. Some other abnormalities you could find are anti-Smith, antiphospholipid antibodies, or anti-double-strand DNA.

The challenge with diagnosing lupus is that the symptoms can vary from person to person, and they don’t appear all at once. While this presents a challenge, the way around it is to perform blood tests. The most important blood test for lupus is an ANA.

Finding Houston TX doctors who treat lupus near me is the first step to getting the proper diagnosis.

Finding A Treatment

Because lupus is a chronic disease, there is no cure at this time. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t live a comfortable life. With treatment, you can live a long, fulfilling life. The main goal of lupus treatment is to keep it in remission to prevent organ damage.

The primary form of treatment is through medication. Some of the medications that are used for treating lupus are:

• NSAIDs
• Plaquenil
• Corticosteroids and immune suppressants
• Benlysta

Your doctor can help you to have a treatment plan that will work with your current symptoms and medical history. Finding Houston TX doctors who treat lupus near me can ensure you get the proper treatment so you can enjoy life again.

The Best Houston TX doctors who treat lupus near me

Contact Advanced Rheumatology of Houston at (281) 766-7886 to set up an appointment. You can also learn more about Dr. Brionez and her practice by checking out their services and by visiting their location. Choose Advanced Rheumatology of Houston to be your Houston TX doctors who treat lupus near me.

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